MicroStation for Advanced Users

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DO NOT DISTRIBUTE - Printing for Student Use is Permitted Company: SHH Sp.z.o.o. Class Date: 18-Mar-2013

MicroStation V8i for Advanced

Users

MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 3)

Bentley Institute Course Guide

TRN012270‐1/0004

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MicroStation V8i for Advanced Users 2 Feb-13

Trademark Notice Bentley and the "B" Bentley logo are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. AccuDraw, MDL, MicroStation, and SmartLine are registered trademarks; PopSet and Raster Manager are trademarks. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Copyright Notice Copyright ©2013, Bentley Systems, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

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Feb-13 3 MicroStation V8i for Advanced Users

Course Overview ____________________________________ 13 Course Description ____________________________________ 13 Target Audience_______________________________________ 13 Prerequisites _________________________________________ 14 Course Objectives _____________________________________ 14 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ 15 Questions ________________________________________ 15 Answers__________________________________________ 15 Working with Cells __________________________________ 17 Module Overview _____________________________________ 17 Module Prerequisites __________________________________ 17 Module Objectives_____________________________________ 17 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ 18 Questions ________________________________________ 18 Answers__________________________________________ 18 Cell Libraries _________________________________________ 18 Shared Cells __________________________________________ 24 Which Cells are Listed in the Cell Library Dialog? _____________ 28 Grouping Elements __________________________________ 29 Module Overview _____________________________________ 29 Module Prerequisites __________________________________ 29 Module Objectives_____________________________________ 29 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ 30 Questions ________________________________________ 30 Answers__________________________________________ 30 Levels _______________________________________________ 30 Creating level definitions ____________________________ 30 Symbology________________________________________ 32 Levels in multiple files_______________________________ 36 Level import and export _____________________________ 36 Moving elements between levels______________________ 37 Jumping to levels___________________________________ 37 Transparency and priority____________________________ 38 Level Filters _______________________________________ 38

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Table of Contents String expressions __________________________________ 40 Integer expressions _________________________________ 40 Graphic Groups _______________________________________ 41 Creating a graphic group_____________________________ 41 Adding elements to an existing graphic group ____________ 41 Information about graphic groups _____________________ 44 Dropping elements from a group ______________________ 44 Named Groups________________________________________ 44 Named groups and graphic groups_____________________ 44 Member types_____________________________________ 45 Named group hierarchies ____________________________ 48 Displaysets _______________________________________ 48 Quicksets _________________________________________ 49 Named groups and references ________________________ 49 Complex Chains and Shapes _____________________________ 50 The Group Command __________________________________ 50 Creating Custom Line Styles ___________________________ 53 Module Overview _____________________________________ 53 Module Prerequisites __________________________________ 53 Module Objectives_____________________________________ 53 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ 54 Questions ________________________________________ 54 Answers__________________________________________ 54 Style Components _____________________________________ 54 Creating a Custom Line Style_____________________________ 56 Stroke patterns ____________________________________ 56 Stroke Pattern options ______________________________ 59 Point symbols _____________________________________ 60 Compound components _____________________________ 64 Using an origin and terminator________________________ 65 Managing Line Styles ___________________________________ 67 Add the styles to a DGNLIB ___________________________ 67 Managing resource styles ____________________________ 67 Import from V7 or AutoCAD __________________________ 67 Exporting styles ____________________________________ 67 Modifying Line Styles___________________________________ 68 Modifying line style attributes ________________________ 68 Changing direction _________________________________ 69 Drop line styles ____________________________________ 69 Tips and Tricks ________________________________________ 69 Working with Tags __________________________________ 71 Module Overview _____________________________________ 71 Module Prerequisites __________________________________ 71 Module Objectives_____________________________________ 71

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Table of Contents Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ 72 Questions ________________________________________ 72 Answers__________________________________________ 72 Creating and Attaching Tags _____________________________ 72 Creating tags sets __________________________________ 75 Defining tags ______________________________________ 75 Attaching tags _____________________________________ 77 File‐wide tag display ________________________________ 80 Changing tags _____________________________________ 80 Removing tags_____________________________________ 82 Reviewing tag data _________________________________ 82 Reporting on Tag Data__________________________________ 82 Generating reports _________________________________ 84 Tag Set Libraries_______________________________________ 84 Tags and Title Blocks ___________________________________ 85 Alternative method to position the tag _________________ 87 Tags and title blocks in ProjectWise ____________________ 88 Selecting Tags ________________________________________ 89 Modifying Cells with Tags _______________________________ 90 Tags and Databases ____________________________________ 92 Tag to database____________________________________ 92 Database to tag ____________________________________ 93 Advanced Annotation Tools and Techniques _____________ 95 Module Overview _____________________________________ 95 Module Prerequisites __________________________________ 95 Module Objectives_____________________________________ 95 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ 96 Questions ________________________________________ 96 Answers__________________________________________ 96 Features in the Word Processor Text Editor _________________ 96 Inserting tabs and indents ___________________________ 96 Inserting symbols __________________________________ 99 Insert Field________________________________________ 101 Subscript, and Superscript ___________________________ 101 Change case ______________________________________ 101 Inserting text strings derived from attributes ____________ 102 Fields and elements ________________________________ 104 Placeholders for future information____________________ 104 Utilities in the Text Styles Dialog __________________________ 105 Choosing the best font ______________________________ 105 Comparing text styles _______________________________ 106 Style remapping to update styles automatically __________ 106 Labeling Coordinates Automatically _______________________ 107 Labeling point coordinates ___________________________ 109 Exporting coordinate values __________________________ 111

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Importing coordinates values _________________________112 Labeling element coordinates_________________________113 Utilities in the Dimension Styles Dialog_____________________113 Adding a dimension description _______________________115 Maintaining Dimension Associativity ______________________115 Using Annotation Scale _______________________________ 119 Module Overview______________________________________119 Module Prerequisites___________________________________119 Module Objectives _____________________________________119 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________120 Questions_________________________________________120 Answers __________________________________________120 How Does Annotation Scale Work?________________________120 Annotation Scale and Text_______________________________120 Change status of existing annotation elements__________123 Annotation Scale and Tags_______________________________123 Annotation Scale and Dimensions _________________________125 Annotation Scale and Cells ______________________________126 Changing scale _____________________________________127 Identifying annotation cells___________________________128 Model Based Control ___________________________________129 Creating Dynamic Sheets _____________________________ 131 Module Overview______________________________________131 Module Prerequisites _______________________________131 Module Objectives _________________________________131 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________132 Questions_________________________________________132 Answers __________________________________________132 Creating Dynamic Sheets ________________________________132 Using Project Explorer to Organize Data ____________________133 Creating links ______________________________________133 Design Composition ____________________________________138 View Composition _____________________________________140 The Create Drawing dialog ___________________________142 Sheet Composition_____________________________________143 Multi‐Scale Detail Sheets ________________________________147 Scaling the details __________________________________147 Detail scale options _________________________________148 Scaling the model __________________________________150 References and active model annotation scale ___________152

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Single and Multi‐Sheet Printing ________________________ 153 Module Overview______________________________________153 Module Prerequisites___________________________________153 Module Objectives _____________________________________153 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________154 Questions_________________________________________154 Answers __________________________________________154 Printing Single Sheets __________________________________154 The Print Dialog _______________________________________154 General settings ___________________________________155 Printer and paper size _______________________________157 Print scale and position ______________________________159 Working with Borders __________________________________161 Sending Data to the Printer ______________________________162 Create a print file___________________________________164 Using a parallel port ________________________________164 Through a parallel port without creating a print file _______164 Create PDF output__________________________________165 Managing Printer Drivers________________________________168 Windows printer drivers _____________________________168 Bentley printer drivers ______________________________168 The Printer Driver Configuration editor _________________169 Print Definition Files____________________________________173 Parameters _______________________________________174 Creating a print definition file _________________________175 Printing Sets of Files____________________________________175 Print Organizer ____________________________________176 Hierarchical print sets _______________________________176 Selecting design files and models ______________________177 Print Organizer and Project Explorer ___________________177 Viewing a print set__________________________________179 Selecting a printer __________________________________180 PDFs with hierarchical bookmarks _____________________183 Opening JOB files___________________________________184 Print Styles________________________________________184 Working with Print Styles ____________________________185 Editing definitions using a print style ___________________185 Pen Tables ___________________________________________185 Creating pen tables _________________________________186 Text substitutions __________________________________186 Pen maps _________________________________________187 Pen Table Options dialog ____________________________188 The Element Selection Criteria tab _____________________190 Element Output Actions tab __________________________191 AutoCAD CTB and STB files ______________________________195

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Customizing the User Interface ________________________ 197 Module Overview______________________________________197 Module Prerequisites___________________________________197 Module Objectives _____________________________________197 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________198 Question _________________________________________198 Answers __________________________________________198 Enforcing Standards with Element Templates _______________198 Creating element templates __________________________199 Assigning properties ________________________________199 Working with element templates ______________________201 Setting and locking templates_________________________201 Updating elements using templates ____________________203 Personal DGN Libraries _________________________________203 Customizing Tasks and Tools _____________________________205 Creating tasks _____________________________________205 Creating tasks and adding tools _______________________207 Editing tasks_______________________________________208 Use tasks to define a workflow ________________________209 Including tasks within tasks___________________________209 Main Tasks________________________________________210 Creating tools _____________________________________210 Tool icons_________________________________________211 General settings for user tools ________________________212 Adding advanced tools ______________________________212 Adding custom tools to tasks _________________________213 Apply an element template to a tool ___________________214 Managing tool settings ______________________________216 Additional tool properties ____________________________217 Migrating Resources ___________________________________217 .Stg resources _____________________________________217 Importing an m01 file _______________________________218 Reporting on Customizations ____________________________219 Exporting and importing customizations to XML __________219 Working with Menus ___________________________________219 Creating menus ____________________________________220 Adding tools to a menu ______________________________221 Menu items _______________________________________221 Context menus ____________________________________222 Tips and Tricks ________________________________________225 Design File Settings __________________________________ 227 Module Overview______________________________________227 Module Prerequisites___________________________________227 Module Objectives _____________________________________227 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________228

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Questions_________________________________________228 Answers __________________________________________228 Settings Saved in the Design File __________________________228 Active angle and active scale _________________________228 Angle Readout _____________________________________229 Axis _____________________________________________230 Color ____________________________________________230 Element Attributes _________________________________230 Fence, Locks, Snaps _________________________________231 The grid __________________________________________231 Isometric _________________________________________232 Stream ___________________________________________232 Views ____________________________________________233 Working Units _____________________________________233 User Preferences ______________________________________236 Setting preferences _________________________________236 Managing preferences ______________________________237 Data Management __________________________________ 239 Module Overview______________________________________239 Module Prerequisites___________________________________239 Module Objectives _____________________________________239 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________240 Questions_________________________________________240 Answers __________________________________________240 Standards Checker _____________________________________240 Configuring settings_________________________________241 Performing checks__________________________________243 Dimension Audit ______________________________________244 Using the options __________________________________244 Data Cleanup _________________________________________246 General settings ___________________________________246 Finding overlaps ___________________________________247 Finding gaps_______________________________________247 Compare Design Files Graphically _________________________250 Merging Files _________________________________________250 From MicroStation _________________________________250 From a command prompt ____________________________251 Merging references _________________________________252 File Fence ____________________________________________253 Copy/Move Fence Contents to New File ________________253 Using a key‐in _____________________________________254 File Compression ______________________________________255

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Managing Project Data _______________________________ 257 Module Overview______________________________________257 Module Prerequisites___________________________________257 Module Objectives _____________________________________257 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________258 Questions_________________________________________258 Answers __________________________________________258 HTML Author _________________________________________258 Creating an HTML file from a cell library ________________258 Create HTML File dialog _____________________________260 Design file saved views ______________________________261 Basic macros ______________________________________261 Design file snapshot ________________________________262 Engineering Links ______________________________________263 HTML statements to control MicroStation _______________264 Project Explorer _______________________________________267 Exploring projects __________________________________267 Link sets __________________________________________269 Document links ____________________________________270 Linking project files to elements _______________________270 Model link properties _______________________________271 Validating links ____________________________________272 Additional link types ________________________________272 Configuration variable links __________________________274 Publishing i‐models ____________________________________275 Markups Dialog _______________________________________277 Protecting Your Intellectual Property ___________________ 279 Module Overview______________________________________279 Module Prerequisites___________________________________279 Module Objectives _____________________________________279 Introductory Knowledge ________________________________280 Questions_________________________________________280 Answers __________________________________________280 File Protection ________________________________________280 What’s the difference between digital rights and a digital signature? _________________________________280 Rights as Defined in MicroStation _________________________281 Enabling File Protection _________________________________282 File protection using a password ______________________283 License types ______________________________________285 Adding additional licenses____________________________287 File protection using a certificate ______________________288 Protecting a file with a digital certificate ________________290 Unencrypting files __________________________________291 Application compliance______________________________291

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Digital Signatures ______________________________________292 What is in a digital signature?_________________________292 Creating a signature cell to sign files ___________________294 The Digital Signatures dialog__________________________296 Signature hierarchies________________________________297 Signature hierarchies and signed references _____________297 Signatures and design history _________________________298 MicroStation V8i for Advanced Users Assessment _________ 299 Questions: ________________________________________299 Answers: _________________________________________307

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Feb-13 13 Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Description

This course covers more advanced MicroStation features and concepts. It will help advanced users build skills such as adding detail to and extracting information from designs, grouping elements and creating custom elements to enhance productivity, and creating dynamic plot sheets. It also cover administrative tasks such as customizing the user interface, setting DGN file settings and project and data management.

Target Audience

This course is recommended for the following audience: • Those who have experience using MicroStation in a production 2D drafting environment.

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Course Overview 14 Feb-13

Prerequisites

• Knowledge about Microsoft Windows • For users of MicroStation V8i • Knowledge of basic MicroStation commands and procedures • Knowledge about basic MicroStation element placement, modification, and viewing tools • Knowledge of basic MicroStation 2D drafting techniques

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to: • Group elements for increased productivity using different methods • Crete custom element styles • Use annotation scale and create multi‐scale detail sheets • Create customized output and control that output • Use tags to report on project data • Customize the user interface • Set DGN file settings • Use utilities to verify the accuracy of design data • Organize frequently used resources • Protect your intellectual property

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Feb-13 15 Course Overview

Introductory Knowledge

Questions

Before you begin the course, let’s define what you already know. 1 How do you create a new design file? 2 How do you create a model? 3 How do you open the View Attributes dialog? 4 How do you create a cell? 5 How do you create a selection set? 6 How do you control the types of files that are listed in the file open and file save dialogs?

Answers

1 From inside MicroStation, select File > New or click the New icon in the Standard toolbox. Select the desired seed file and provide a name. From the File Open dialog, click the New File icon and follow the preceding steps. 2 Open the Models dialog by selecting File > Models or clicking the Models tool in the Primary too box. Then click Create a new model. 3 Click the View Attributes tool in the view control toolbox, click the Bentley B icon and select View Attributes or select Settings > View Attributes. 4 Select Element > Cells and then open an existing or create a new cell library. Select the geometry that will make up the cell and identify an origin using Place Cell Origin. Then click Create in the Cell Library dialog. You can also create cell geometry in separate models in a DGN file. This file can then be opened as a cell library. 5 Select the Element Selection tool, set the tool settings and use the appropriate mode to identify the elements you want to include. 6 Select the desired file type, or All Files (*.*) from the Files of type options.

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Course Overview 16 Feb-13

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Feb-13 17 Working with Cells

Working with Cells

Module Overview

Cells can represent complex elements that you use regularly in your designs. Rather than redraw each component of the whole element each time, you can save them together and store them in a library to recall for repeated use. This module discusses how to create and maintain cells.

Module Prerequisites

• Knowledge of basic MicroStation commands and procedures • Knowledge of basic MicroStation tools • Knowledge about models • Knowledge about cell placement

Module Objectives

After completing this module, you will be able to: • Create a cell library • Create and edit cells • Import models that hold cell geometry • Access the cells that you need • Create a cell index • Create an HTML page from a cell library

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Working with Cells 18 Feb-13

Introductory Knowledge

Before you begin this module, let's define what you already know.

Questions

1 What is a model? 2 How do you open one? 3 What is the purpose of a cell?

Answers

1 A model has its own set of eight views and serves as a container for geometry. The 2D/3D options let you set whether the design model is 2D or 3D. 2 Double click it in the Models dialog, or if a view group was created select it in the view groups dialog. 3 Cells can represent complex elements that you use regularly in your designs.

Cell Libraries

Cell libraries are really DGN files that contain one or more models, one containing the geometry for each cell. The cells are simply design models that have the option “Can be placed as a cell” checked. Cells created in this fashion have the model’s origin as their origin. There can be 2D and 3D cells in the same library, just as there can be 2D and 3D models in one DGN file.

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Cell Libraries Naming conventions Because of the file format there is no limit to the size of a cell library or the individual cells in it. Cell names and descriptions are only limited by the maximum character string permitted by an operating system. Considering this, developing a standard naming convention for cells and libraries, so names remain realistic, is recommended. Working units These are the real‐world units that the design plane is configured to use. You should consider the working units that you use for your models when creating cells. You may want to create your cells using the same units that you use in your models. However, the True Scale option, located in the cell placement tool settings, lets MicroStation scale cells created in one unit of measurement (Metric) be placed in a design with different units (English). A cell that was created at 1 meter wide can be placed in a file with feet as master units, and with True Scale enabled, it will measure 3.2808 feet. True Scale aligns the units in the cell to the units in the design. This means you can define cells with different working units in the same library. If the cells are placed with True Scale enabled, they will be the correct size regardless of DGN file units. Working units are set in the Settings > Design File dialog, in the Working Units category. Or, in the Settings > Drawing Scale dialog.

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Cell Libraries Opening a library to create or modify cells Open a cell library just like a DGN file. To access the geometry of individual cells you open the, File > Models, Models dialog. This dialog is used to create, manage and switch between different models in the open DGN file. In the dialog, double click the model that contains a specific cell’s geometry to open it. When a cell library is attached, right click on a cell in the Cell Library dialog and select Open for Editing from the pop‐up menu to directly open the model that contains the geometry. Attaching cells Attach all the cell libraries that are contained in a folder by selecting File > Attach Folder in the Cell Library dialog. You can attach V7 DGN files, 3D Studio (.3DS), or DXF files as cells.  Exercise: Create a cell library and modify cell elements Note: Exercise Workflow: 1 Set the following in the File open dialog: User: examples Project: Geospatial

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Cell Libraries 2 Navigate to the Geospatial project’s \dgnlib folder, create a new DGNLIB named landmarks.dgnlib, and open the file. Note: Set “Files of Type” to All Files (*.*) at the bottom of the dialog. 3 Open the Models dialog and click the Import Models tool. 4 Navigate to the Geospatial project’s \cell folder, changing Files of type to All Files (*.*), select Geospatial.CEL, and click Open. 5 Select the following models using the Ctrl key, and then click OK (click the Name column header to sort alphabetically by name): ART CHURCH CITY COLLEG LIBRAR MUSEUM SHOP 6 Open the SHOP model.

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Cell Libraries 7 Select the Element Selection tool and click the Select All icon to select all the elements in the model. 8 In the Attributes toolbox, change their color to 240, and then release the selection set. 9 Change the geometry in the CHURCH model to color 48 (yellow) and the geometry in the ART model to color 176 (dark blue). You make changes to the cell elements just like any other elements.  Exercise: Update existing cells 1 Open \dgn\BSI200‐D03‐Public Works.dgn. 2 Open the Landmarks model if it is not already open. 3 Window around the area shown, and look for Market Plaza. 4 Select Element > Cells.

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Cell Libraries 5 In the Cell Library dialog, uncheck the Display All Cells in Path check box. 6 Attach \dgnlib\landmarks.dgnlib and close the dialog. 7 Select the Replace Cells tool from the Drawing tasks in the Tasks dialog with the following tool settings: Method: Update Mode: Single 8 Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point on the SHOP cell at Market Plaza. The cell updates to the new symbology. 9 Change the Mode to Global in the tool settings. 10 Enter a data point on a CHURCH cell and click Yes in the Alert that reminds you that you are updating all of these cells in the model. The cells are easily updated to the new symbology. 11 Update the ART cells. How many were updated? 12 Select File > Save Settings.

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Shared Cells

A shared cell is a cell whose elements are stored only once in a DGN file, regardless of how often the cell is placed. Additional instances of the cell refer back to the original for their attributes. To place one, check the Use Shared Cells check box in the Cell Library dialog. You must check this to see shared cells in the list in the dialog, but the cells themselves are visible in the design. The first time you place a cell with Use Shared Cells checked, the shared cell definition, which stores the elements comprising the cell, is stored in the DGN file in much the same way as it is stored in the cell library. A shared cell can have many instances in a DGN, but only one definition. The cell library does not need to be attached to place subsequent instances of a shared cell. When a shared cell instance is changed using the Replace Cells tool, all instances of the cell are changed. It is not necessary to know where the shared cell definition is in the DGN file; identifying any instance of the shared cell identifies the actual definition. For an unshared cell, the library definition is stored in the DGN file each time the cell is placed. Using shared cells is a way to reduce DGN file size. The reduction is greatest in files with cells that have a large number of components in them or there are many instances of the same cell.

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Shared Cells  Exercise: Place a shared cell instance Note: Exercise Workflow: 1 Continuing in BSI200‐D03‐Public Works.dgn, select Place Active Cell, and then click the magnifying glass next to the Active Cell field if you have closed the Cell Library dialog. 2 Double click the ART cell in the Cell Library dialog, and check the Use Shared cells check box. In the tool settings, the X and Y Scale are set correctly for this cell. 3 Place one of the cells in the model and reset. 4 Move the pointer over the cell. The pop‐up information indicates it is a shared cell.  Exercise: Open a cell’s model and edit its geometry 1 Un check the Use Shared Cells in Cell Library dialog, then right click the ART cell in the Cell Library dialog and select Open for Editing. You are directed to the model containing the cell. 2 Select all of the geometry and change its color to 144 (cyan). 3 Clear the selection set. 4 Click Previous Model to return to BSI200‐D03‐Public Works.dgn.

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Shared Cells  Exercise: Update cells in the file 1 In the Cell Library dialog, select File > Detach and detach landmarks.dgnlib. With the Display All Cells in Path check box unchecked and check the Use Shared Cells check box checked you see the ART cell definition stored in the DGN, even though there is no cell library attached. 2 Right click the cell name in the Cell Library dialog and note that you cannot open for editing. This definition is not from a library, so you cannot edit it. 3 Place another one of the ART cells so there are two shared cells present. 4 Reattach Landmarks.dgnlib as a cell library. 5 Select the Replace Cells tool from the Tasks dialog with the following tool settings: Method: Update Mode: Global 6 Now click on the Peterborough Art Gallery cell. It updates, but the shared cells whose definition is stored in the DGN do not. 7 With Replace Cells still active, click the shared cell. Now they change. You’ve updated their definition in the DGN. 8 Select File > Close.

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Shared Cells The use of shared cells is recommended for the following reasons: • Shared cells are faster to place and manipulate than unshared cells. The first time a cell is placed in the DGN file, the cell library in which it is stored must be attached. If the cell is placed as a shared cell, it is not necessary to have the cell library attached to place additional instances of that cell. • All instances of a shared cell in the DGN file are replaced when any instance of that shared cell is replaced. • Shared cells can be associated with points on other elements, if Association Lock (Settings > Locks > Association) is on. For example, if a shared door cell is placed in a wall and associated with that wall, the door will automatically move if the wall is moved. Left wall with shared cell door symbol, middle select walls only, right shared cell moves with wall • Shared cells usually reduce DGN file size, thereby improving performance. Note: Note that the DWG workmode supports only shared cells as these are the cell type used in AutoCAD.

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Which Cells are Listed in the Cell Library Dialog?

The Display All Cells In Path check box determines which cells you see listed in the Cell library Dialog. If checked you will see all the cells defined by a configuration variable named MS_CELLLIST. This variable tells MicroStation where to search for cells that are not in the current cell library. Check with your administrator regarding the option.

If this option is checked and Use Shared Cells is unchecked, the cells listed are normal cells from the cell libraries specified by the MS_CELLLIST configuration variable, then normal cells listed in the directory specified by the MS_BLOCKLIST configuration variable.

If this is checked and Use Shared Cells is also checked, you see shared cells in the open DGN file first, shared cells in the attached cell library, cells in the cell libraries listed in MS_CELLLIST, and cells in the directory listed in MS_BLOCKLIST.

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Feb-13 29 Grouping Elements

Grouping Elements

Module Overview

Creating a cell is a more permanent way to associate a number of elements. Sometimes there are different reasons for grouping elements, so other options should be considered. This module discusses more flexible methods for grouping elements.

Module Prerequisites

• Knowledge of basic MicroStation commands and procedures • Knowledge of basic MicroStation element placement, modification, and viewing tools • Knowledge of basic MicroStation 2D drafting techniques

Module Objectives

After completing this module, you will be able to: • Work with levels • Work with graphic groups • Work with named groups • Work with complex chains and shapes • Work with plain groups

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Grouping Elements 30 Feb-13

Introductory Knowledge

Before you begin this module, let's define what you already know.

Questions

1 What is a level? 2 What function do locks perform? 3 What is a hierarchy? 4 What are complex elements, such as cells?

Answers

1 It is like a transparent overlay. Levels make it easier to see, and work with, different aspects of a design. 2 Locks are settings that let you control the actions of various tools. 3 A hierarchy is a system of things ranked one above another. A parent/child relationship. 4 A complex element is created by combining several primitive elements.

Levels

You can group elements by organizing data on logically named levels. The display of elements residing on particular levels can be toggled to show only the information that you want to view, or with which you want to work.

Creating level definitions

You can create an unlimited number of named level definitions. When a level is created, a level element is created in the DGN file. Each level definition consists of the following properties: • A name up to 512 characters long • ByLevel symbology (color, weight, line style, etc.), which is stored with the level and is applied to elements when they are placed on that level

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Levels • Override symbology, which is a second set of symbology that is stored with the level Levels can be stored in design libraries, providing support for design standards enforcement. It is most efficient to define and save a level structure in a DGN library before users begin work. It is easiest to map out all top level groups before defining the level structure. When you create your own level structure, create individual levels and group them hierarchically for easy maintenance. Hint: A variety of sample level structures are delivered in MicroStation’s example files. Users can update level definitions to make sure they match a library definition by right clicking the level name in the Level Manager dialog and selecting Update Levels from the pop‐up menu. All selected levels are updated to match the source definition. Note: Level names and groups are settings that must be saved by selecting File > Save Settings. If you do not save settings, the level structure is lost when you close the DGN file. The Level Manager This is the tool used to create and maintain level definitions. Open the dialog by selecting Settings > Level > Manager or click the Level Manager tool in the Primary tools toolbox. Attributes are listed in columns. • The first column, Modified, indicates whether the level’s attributes are consistent with those in a library or reference. A bullet appears if one or more

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Levels of the active file’s level attributes or properties differ from the library source level. Pop‐up information listing the attribute or property that is out‐of‐synch appears when the pointer is over the bullet. The Modified column also indicates if a reference attachment level is out‐of‐sync with the attachment’s source. • The next three columns, Color, Style, and Weight show the symbology assigned to the level. Select ByLevel or Overrides from the Symbology options above the Name column to see that symbology. • The Used column contains a dot if the level is in use in the current design. You cannot delete a level if it is in use. However, the key‐in LEVEL PURGE lets you delete a level that contains elements. Elements are moved to the Default level unless a destination level is specified. • The Priority column, off by default, sets the display priority of elements on the level. Those with a higher priority display in front. Note: To see any column that is off, right click a column heading and check the entry in the pop‐up menu. • The Transparency column, also off by default, lets you assign transparency for elements on the level. Elements with the lowest transparency are opaque. • The File column, also off by default, shows the file in which the level definition is found. This is useful when trying to determine where a level definition is stored. You can also see the file in which a level is stored in the target tree (upper portion) of the Level Display dialog.

Symbology

Elements can be placed with symbology settings inherited from the level on which they are placed. This is called ByLevel symbology. These are appearance attributes defined in the Level Manager dialog. They are applied to an element at placement time if the attribute’s value is set to ByLevel in the Attributes toolbox. Symbology that can be controlled using ByLevel includes color, style and weight. AutoCAD

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Levels users will recognize this capability as being the same as the ByLayer attribute value. This feature allows for a close working relationship between DWG and DGN files. Color, Style, and Weight set to ByLevel If the ByLevel symbology definitions for a level are later changed, any elements on the level that have been placed with the ByLevel attribute will dynamically reflect the changes. All elements on a level can be displayed with an alternate set of symbology by setting the Symbology option to Overrides in the level Manager dialog. Level Overrides must also be enabled in the View Attributes dialog for the override symbology to display. By default, levels are created with overrides enabled and set to color 0, style 0 and weight 0. Overrides can be modified by setting the Symbology option to Override and then selecting the desired symbology. The ByLevel display of an element cannot be turned off because it is an element attribute, not a view attribute. Display can be altered by changing the element attributes to something other than ByLevel or by using Overrides to temporarily change the display to the override symbology.  Exercise: Create a new level and assign symbology 1 Set the following in the File Open dialog: Project: Civil 2 Move up one level to the \dgnlib folder and open civil.dgnlib. 3 Open the Level Manager. 4 Click the New Level icon, name the level Plan Markups, and set the following attributes: Color: 3 Style: 0 Weight: 1 Priority: 300 5 In the Level Manager, change the Symbology option to Overrides. 6 Set the following attributes: Color: 5

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Levels Weight: 2  Exercise: Use the different symbologies 1 Open \dgn\BSI400‐Sheets.dgn in the Civil project. 2 In the Attributes toolbox, make Plan Markups the active level and make sure that color, style and weight are set to ByLevel. You see the ByLevel symbology you assigned. 3 Select Place Text from the Tasks dialog with the following tool settings: Method: By Origin Text Style: 1/4 in 4 Type the following in the text editor: Make sure By Level is on in Text Editor. Add section STA 10+00 to STA 24+00

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Levels 5 Place the text on the sheet under the detail. The text shows the ByLevel symbology in the text editor, but the override symbology in the design. 6 Open the View Attributes dialog. 7 Click the Level Overrides icon, to turn off Level Overrides. The text is now red, the ByLevel symbology.  Exercise: Modify a level’s symbology 1 Continuing in BSI400‐Sheets.dgn, in the Level Manager, set Symbology to ByLevel and change the color of the level Plan Markups to 6. The text changes color. A dot appears in the Modified column. The field is populated if one or more of the level attributes differs from the source from which the level is being read. The source could be either a DGN library or a level in a reference file. 2 Move the pointer over the bullet to see the pop‐up information.

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Levels

Levels in multiple files

• References are listed in a hierarchy tree under the master file in the left pane of the Level Manager dialog. Right click on a reference name to open a menu from which you can open the References dialog (Open Dialog) or perform functions, such as controlling reference level display or detaching a reference. • You can select multiple files in the left pane and change symbology for levels that exist in those files, as long as the level does not come from a library. The way reference levels appear in the master file stays the same if attributes are changed in the source file. • Adding the File column to the Level manager makes it easy to see the name of the file where a level definition exists. Adding the Library column makes it easy to see whether a level’s source is a library. The Library column shows that only the Default level’s source is the current file The File column shows that the first 4 levels are used in the current file • Right clicking a level name in the right pane opens a pop‐up menu that lets you cut, copy, and paste levels. The copy function can be used to copy level definitions between a master file and attached references.

Level import and export

If you want to add existing levels from other files, select Level > Import in the Level Manager. In the Level/Filter Import dialog, you can select specific levels you want to add to a source. The level definition is imported directly into the file.

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Levels Import levels from “.dgn”, “.dgnlib”, “.csv”, “.dwg” and “.dxf” files. Select Level > Export to export levels to another file.

Moving elements between levels

Right click on a level name in the right pane of the Level Manager dialog and select Remap Elements to move elements from one level, or several levels, to a different level. When you select the menu item, the Remap Elements to Level dialog appears so you can make the change. The selected levels are listed as the source. Select the destination level for elements that are on the source levels from the Destination option list. Remapping a level’s elements to the Plan Dimensions level

Jumping to levels

Right click on a level name in the right pane of the Level Manager dialog and select Jump to Active Level so the active level moves to the top of the level list. This is useful when working with a large number of levels because you don’t have to scroll through the level list to find the active level.

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Levels

Transparency and priority

Set transparency or priority so elements obscured by other elements can be seen.  Exercise: Assign priority and transparency 1 Continuing in BSI400‐Sheets.dgn, make Default the active level. 2 Select the Place Block tool with the following tool settings: Method: Orthogonal Area: Solid Fill Type: Opaque 3 Place a block around the text you placed previously. The text appears in front of the block, even though you just placed it. The text has a priority of 300 and will always appear in front of elements placed with lower priority. 4 Add the Transparency column to the level Manager dialog and change the Default level’s transparency to 50. The block is now semi‐transparent. Note: Transparency must be enabled in the View Attributes dialog for this to display. If transparency has not been enabled in the View Attributes dialog, open the dialog and click the Transparency icon.

Level Filters

One possible issue with allowing for a virtually infinite number of level definitions is that you will have to manage hundreds or thousands of levels in any project. Level filters provide a way of organizing your level definitions into sets of levels based on a variety of criteria. Level filters let you narrow the number of levels to a specified few that only pertain to the areas of interest that you want to examine. A good way to develop ideal level filters is to have them based upon established company standards. You can create a hierarchical level filtering structure so that you have a parent / child relationship. The hierarchical filtering structure lets you get to a specific a number of levels quickly and easily. If you have a first tier level filter which would be considered a parent filter, there still may be a lot of levels listed and further filtering may be needed to narrow down the levels you want to see.

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Levels  Exercise: Create a level filter 1 Continuing in BSI400‐Sheets.dgn, in the left pane of the Level Manager, right click Filters and select New. 2 Name the new filter Annotations. 3 Click in the yellow field at the top of the Name column, type the following, and then press Enter: Text The result is a list of levels that contain the word text, but there are a lot of them. 4 Right click the Annotation filer, select New > Filter and name the filter Drainage annotations. 5 Click in the yellow field at the top of the Name column, type the word Drainage, and then press Enter. Now you only see levels that contain text related to drainage. 6 Click in the filter’s color field, type 1, and then press Enter. Using expressions Filters use different expression types depending on the column in which the expression is input. There are three basic forms of expressions; string, integer and Boolean. A syntax is provided to filter attributes with wild cards (i.e., *, ?), similar to Windows Explorer search criteria. In addition, set based operations such as | (or), & (and), and – (minus) have been added. String expressions are applied to string values. Integer and Boolean values use integer and Boolean expressions. A short description of each follows.

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Levels

String expressions

The string expression format is similar to the format supported in the Windows Explorer's Search dialog. In addition, set based operations such as | (or), & (and), and – (minus) have been added. String expressions are valid for the Name, Description, File, and Logical columns in the Level Manager dialog. The following table contains examples of string expressions.

Integer expressions

Integer expressions are applied to integer numbers, for example, 1, 10, 15 ‐ 20. The comparison operators >, >=, <, <=, and ! = are also supported on integer expressions. Integer expressions are valid for the Number, Color, Style, Weight and Elements in the Level Manager dialog. The following table shows examples of integer expressions. String Expression Matches String(s) lev with substring “lev” “lev” Exact string “lev” *1 Ending with “1” lev* Starting with “lev” 1|2 With character “1” or “2” 1&2 With characters “1” and “2” 1‐2 With character “1” but not “2” *1|*2|*3 Ending with “1”, “2” or “3” ((1|2)‐3) With character “1” or “2”, but not “3” “level 1”|”level 2” level 1 or level 2, exactly Integer Expression Matches Integer Value(s) 1, 10 1 and 10 10,15‐20 10 and 15, 16, 17 ,18, 19 and 20 <20 Less than 20 <=20 Less than or equal to 20 >10,<20 Greater than 10 and less than 20 >10,<20,!=15 Greater than 10 and less than 20, but not 15

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Graphic Groups Boolean expressions Boolean expressions are applied to check boxes. Boolean expressions can take a value of 0 (off) or 1 (on). Boolean expressions are valid for the Global, Lock, Used, and Library in the Level Manager dialog. In the next exercise, you will set up level filters to allow you to sort through a long list of levels that are present in the file. The levels that are listed include levels for the Architecture, Civil, Electrical Equipment, Fire Protection, General, Geotechnical, Interior, Landscape, Mechanical, Plumbing, Structural, Surveyor and Telecommunications disciplines.

Graphic Groups

Graphic groups are a quick method for grouping elements. Without breaking up the grouping you can add, remove, or manipulate individual member elements. In all other respects, the elements that comprise a graphic group are like any other elements in the DGN file. The distinction only becomes apparent when the graphic group lock is enabled. When the Graphic Group lock is enabled, if you select Copy and identify an element in a graphic group, all elements in the graphic group will be copied. When Graphic Group lock is disabled, the Copy tool only affects the identified element. The Graphic Group lock must be on for the group relationship to be respected. Note: Copy, Delete, and Move manipulate all elements in a graphic group whether they are displayed or not. Caution should be used to assure that you know which elements belong to a graphic group.

Creating a graphic group

The Add to Graphic Group tool adds elements to a new graphic group or to an existing graphic group and can be used to combine graphic groups.

Adding elements to an existing graphic group

To add elements to an existing graphic group, select an element that belongs to the group first, then each succeeding element that will be added to the group.

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Graphic Groups To create a new graphic group that has a name, select the Add to Graphic Group tool and click the Create New Named Group icon. Name the group and then select the elements. You can also group the elements first using Element Selection and then create a graphic group. The graphic group lock You can access the graphic group lock by selecting Settings > Locks > Graphic Group or click the Active Locks icon in the status bar and select it from the menu.  Exercise: Create a graphic group 1 Open \dgn\BSI400‐W01‐Survey.dgn. 2 Click the Drop Element tool in the Main toolbox and open the Groups toolbox. 3 Zoom In to the center of the design. 4 Select the Element Selection tool and use it to select all the elements that make up one of the parking lots.

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Graphic Groups 5 Select Add to Graphic Group from the Groups toolbox, with the following tool settings: Named Group: checked and then click the Create new Named Group icon to the right of the option list 6 Type Parking Lot in the Create Named Group dialog’s Name field. 7 Click OK. 8 Enter a data point in the view. 9 Click Clear in the Element Selection tool settings to release the selection set.  Exercise: Check the grouping 1 Continuing in BSI400‐W01‐Survey.dgn, select the Move tool and move one of the elements you grouped. The element moves. Reset to release it. Hint: If you actually move elements during the exercise, use Undo. 2 In the status bar, click the lock icon and click the Graphic Group lock. 3 Select the Move tool and move one of the elements you grouped. All elements making up the parking lot will now move. 4 Select the Element Selection tool, move the pointer over one of the elements you grouped and note the pop‐up information. You can see that it is in a named graphic group (Groups=Parking Lot). Note: Not all MicroStation tools respect graphic group lock. Graphic groups are ignored when you use Element Selection to select an element for manipulation. You can also join two graphic groups together using the Add to Graphic Group tool. By selecting elements that belong to two different graphic groups, you add the elements from the second group to the first. The identity of the second graphic group ceases to exist, as an element can belong to only one graphic group at a time.

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Named Groups

Information about graphic groups

There are several ways to tell whether an element belongs to a graphic group. One way is to use Element Information. Select an element, or elements, and open the Element Information dialog (Primary Tools toolbox). The Groups tab will be available and you can see the graphic group name. When the Graphic Group lock is on, AccuSnap’s pop‐up information also indicates whether an element is part of a graphic group and shows the group name.

Dropping elements from a group

You can break up a graphic group using Drop From Graphic Group to return all of the elements to ungrouped status. If the graphic group lock is on when selecting the group you want to drop, all elements are ungrouped. If the graphic group lock is off, only the selected element is ungrouped.

Named Groups

Named groups are another method for grouping elements. They can include elements from the active file and also those from references, whether directly attached or nested. Elements can belong to more than one named group simultaneously.

Named groups and graphic groups

The graphic group tools can be used to create and drop named groups. The graphic group lock applies to named groups. MicroStation’s tools work with named groups the same as graphic groups.