Ms Tutorialworkbook v7 1

MicroStation/JTMTutorial Workbook

DAA004490-1/0004

MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook iii

Trademarks

AccuDraw, Bentley, the B Bentley logo, MDL, MicroStation, MicroStation Modeler, MicroStation PowerDraft, MicroStation Review, MicroStation Vault, QuickVision, SmartLine and TeamMate are registered trademarks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated. MicroStation/J, MicroStation MasterPiece, MicroStation SE and PowerScope are trademarks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated.

Bentley SELECT is a service mark of Bentley Systems, Incorporated.

Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, the Acrobat logo, Distiller, Exchange, and PostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Windows is a registered trademark and Win32s is a trademark of Microsoft

Corporation.

Other brands and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Copyrights

1998 Bentley Systems, Incorporated.

MicroStation 95 1995 Bentley Systems, Incorporated.

1997 HMR Inc. All rights reserved.

MicroStation Image Manager 1997 HMR Inc.

1996 LCS/Telegraphics.

Portions of QuickVision are 1993-1995 Criterion Software Ltd. and its licensors.

Portions of QuickVision were developed by the CAD Perfect Development Laboratory.

Portions 1992-1997 Spotlight Graphics, Inc.

IGDS file formats 1987-1994 Intergraph Corporation.

Intergraph Raster File Formats 1994 Intergraph Corporation Used with permission.

Portions 1992-1994 Summit Software Company.

Unpublished rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries.

All rights reserved.

iv MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook

MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook v

Table of Contents

1. Your First MicroStation SessionTutorial Prerequisites _____________________________________1-1MicroStation Basics_______________________________________1-2

Using the Mouse _______________________________________ 1-2

Screen Layout __________________________________________ 1-3

Window Controls_______________________________________ 1-3

Window Navigation_____________________________________ 1-4

Using Dialog Boxes and Settings Boxes ____________________ 1-5

Menus in dialog boxes and settings boxes__________________ 1-6

Controls_______________________________________________ 1-6

Exercise: Starting MicroStation ____________________________ 1-8Exercise: Using a drawing tool____________________________ 1-10Exercise: Placing line strings and circles____________________ 1-13Exercise: Placing text____________________________________ 1-15Exercise: Getting help ___________________________________ 1-16Exercise: Deleting elements ______________________________ 1-18Exercise: Using key-ins __________________________________ 1-19Exercise: Saving a design file _____________________________ 1-21Exercise: Ending the session _____________________________ 1-22

2. MicroStation FundamentalsExercise: Backing up a design file_________________________ 2-1Exercise: Fitting the active design _________________________ 2-3Exercise: Windowing areas of the design _________________ 2-4Exercise: Zooming and panning __________________________ 2-6Exercise: Interrupting a drawing tool to use a view control ___ 2-8

3. AccuDraw and Other Drafting AidsExercise: Use AccuDraws input focus _____________________ 3-2Exercise: Use AccuDraw to develop a compass _____________ 3-4

4. Modifying a DesignExercise: Modifying a design using multi-lines and a

custom line style____________________________________ 4-1

Table of Contents: Working with Cells

vi MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook

5. Working with CellsExercise: Working with Cells and Cell Libraries ______________5-1

6. Working With Reference FilesExercise: Attaching, scaling, and moving a reference file ______6-2Exercise: Referencing design changes_____________________6-5

7. Working in 3DPrerequisites____________________________________________ 7-1Getting started in 3D_____________________________________ 7-2Using AccuDraw in 3D design_____________________________ 7-8

Fixing the AccuDraw drawing plane _______________________7-8

AccuDraw Shortcuts _____________________________________7-10Setting the Active Depth and the Display Depth______________ 7-14

Setting the Active Depth _________________________________7-14

Setting the Display Depth ________________________________7-18Viewing a 3D design_____________________________________ 7-20

Display Depth __________________________________________7-21Introduction to 3D modeling tools _________________________ 7-25Creating more complex models____________________________ 7-50

Exercise: A 3D Project: Creating An Office Building __________7-73Creating the buildings structure ___________________________ 7-74Render the work in progress ______________________________ 7-97Adding a staircase to the design ___________________________ 7-98Creating the window walls________________________________ 7-124

Assessing your project results _____________________________7-133

8. Element TagsExercise: Attaching, reviewing, and editing tags______________8-2Exercise: Creating a new tag set ___________________________8-4Exercise: Selecting Tagged Elements _______________________8-6Exercise: Reporting on tag data ___________________________8-8

Table of Contents: Labeling a Design

MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook vii

9. Labeling a DesignExercise: Dimensioning the exterior of a building ___________ 9-2Exercise: Placing typical dimensions_______________________ 9-9Exercise: Dimensioning the interior of a building____________ 9-12Exercise: Adding notes __________________________________ 9-17Exercise: Using cells for labeling purposes _________________ 9-23

10.Automating Drawing ProductionExercise: Create the Drawing Components _________________ 10-1Exercise: Compose the Drawing Sheet _____________________ 10-2Exercise: Annotating the drawing _________________________ 10-8Exercise: Modifying the drawing through the Sheet View _____ 10-9Exercise: Manipulating the sheet views components _________ 10-10

11.Settings Groups and Custom Line StylesExercise: Creating a settings file and settings groups _________ 11-2Exercise: Defining a Linear component with a standard line style11-3Exercise: Defining a Linear component with a custom line style 11-5Exercise: Defining other types of components ______________ 11-9

12.Lighting for Rendered ImagesIntroduction_____________________________________________12-1Using Global Lighting ____________________________________12-1

Solar Lighting and Added Sky Light _______________________ 12-7Creating a Lighting Setup with Source Lighting _______________12-11Area Light Sources _______________________________________12-23Using Multiple Lighting Setups _____________________________12-28Attenuating Light Sources _________________________________12-31

13.Creating and Applying Material DefinitionsIntroduction_____________________________________________13-1Defining Materials________________________________________13-2Using Existing Material Definitions__________________________13-14Multi-level Texture Interpolation ___________________________13-21Procedural Textures ______________________________________13-22

Table of Contents: Introduction to Radiosity Solving

viii MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook

14.Introduction to Radiosity SolvingIntroduction ____________________________________________ 14-1Radiosity and Ray Tracing ________________________________ 14-1

Working units __________________________________________14-3

Element and patch area __________________________________14-6

Maximum Element Subdivisions ___________________________14-8

Reflected light and patches _______________________________14-10

Samples per shot________________________________________14-14Stopping Conditions _____________________________________ 14-15

Ray tracing with a radiosity solution _______________________14-18

Luminance and Illuminance ______________________________14-20

Querying the radiosity solution____________________________14-21

15.Animation BasicsIntroduction ____________________________________________ 15-1Creating Actors__________________________________________ 15-3Manipulating Actors _____________________________________ 15-7Hierarchical Motion______________________________________ 15-9Scripting Actors _________________________________________ 15-12

Editing a script _________________________________________15-15Keyframe Animation _____________________________________ 15-16

Scripting keyframes _____________________________________15-17Defining a Parameter ____________________________________ 15-19Saving and Recording a Script _____________________________ 15-22

16.Animation Exercises and ExamplesIntroduction ____________________________________________ 16-1Keyframe Velocity _______________________________________ 16-1Keyframe Velocity and Deformation ________________________ 16-2

Previewing keyframes ___________________________________16-3

Further example ________________________________________16-6

Simple gears ___________________________________________16-8

Planetary gears _________________________________________16-12

Universal joint __________________________________________16-16

Table of Contents: Tree View / Timeline Tutorial

MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook ix

Path Control and Camera Movement ________________________16-18Defining paths _________________________________________ 16-18

Scripting cameras_______________________________________ 16-23

Target cells ____________________________________________ 16-27

Further examples _______________________________________ 16-27Animating Materials and Lights _____________________________16-30

Scripting source lighting _________________________________ 16-34

Scripting materials ______________________________________ 16-35

Scripting an animated material __________________________ 16-38

Further example________________________________________ 16-39

17.Tree View / Timeline TutorialIntroduction_____________________________________________17-1

x MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook

Part I: MicroStations Fundamental Tutorials

MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook 1-1

1 Your First MicroStation Session

This tutorial shows you how to start MicroStation and perform some of its most basic operations. This chapter gets you into and out of a MicroStation session.

This tutorial is structured as a series of exercises that are meant to be performed consecutively. You will learn about:

MicroStation Basics

Starting MicroStation

Using a drawing tool

Placing line strings and circles

Placing text

Getting help

Deleting elements

Using key-ins

Saving a design file

Ending the session

Tutorial PrerequisitesThis document assumes that you can do the following:

Set up and start your computer system.

Use the basic system commands to edit, copy, rename, and delete files and directories.

Use the basic features of Microsoft Windows (if applicable).

Recognize fundamental MicroStation procedures and terminology presented in Getting Started in Chapter 2 in the Setup Guide.

Use MicroStations On-line Help system to find additional information on any term or procedure described.

Before you work through this tutorial, you should register your license. If you have not completed that process, you can still use MicroStation, but upon starting your session you will have to click the Bypass button in the License Information dialog box and wait 30 seconds.

MicroStation Basics

1-2 MicroStation/J Tutorial Workbook

You must have the Visualization and Learning tutorials module enabled during MicroStation installation in order to include the tutorial dgn files in the delivery.

MicroStation BasicsBefore you begin the exercises, you should review the following information to familiarize yourself with the options and terms used within MicroStation. For more details on the basics of MicroStation, see Getting Started in Chapter 2 in the Setup Guide.

Using the MouseThe default mouse button assignments are as follows:

The defaults are appropriate for a two-button mouse. If you are using a three-button mouse, you should change Tentative to use a single button (rather than the two-button chord) for faster operation.

MicroStation button Invoked by

Data Left button

Tentative Left button-Right button chord

Reset Right button

Command Not available

Cursor 1 / 3D Data -Left button

Cursor 2 / 3D Tentative -Left button-Right button chord

Cursor 3-12 Not available

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Screen LayoutThe application window is arranged by default as follows:

Window ControlsMicroStation windows have a control menu that opens when you press on the window menu button at the far left of the title bar. The complete set of options is only available from a view window. In other windows or dialog boxes there is a smaller set of options.

All standard Windows items are listed in the control menu. Items not available in MicroStation are grayed out and cannot be chosen.

Menu bar

Main tool bar

Status bar

Primary tool bar

View window (1 of 8)

Tool Settings window

Standard tool bar

MicroStation Basics


Window NavigationViews, tool boxes, dialog boxes, and settings boxes are displayed graphically in windows. Windows contain controls that can be operated graphically, by clicking or dragging, and controls that can be operated or take input from the keyboard.

The window in which a keystroke will have an effect is said to have the input focus. The title bar of the window that has the input focus is highlighted. One way to give a window the input focus is to click in the window.

You can also use the keyboard to move the input focus from one window to another.

Primary andStandard tool bars,View window, Tool

Settings window

Design File Settings box

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Use these keys to navigate between windows:

When the Key-in window has the input focus, the cursor in the key-in area blinks.

To move the input focus from one window to another Click in the desired window.

or

Press until the desired windows title bar is highlighted.

Using Dialog Boxes and Settings BoxesMicroStation has dialog boxes for a variety of operations, including opening and saving different types of files. For example, the Open Design File dialog box is used to open a design file. The Save Plot As dialog box is used to name and save a plotfile you are creating.

A settings box is a dialog box that can be left open on the screen while you work. Other dialog boxes must be closed before you can go on to something else. The controls in both work the same way, so the term dialog box can generally be assumed to include settings boxes.

Key Function

Moves input focus upward through the following window hierarchy: Primary tool bar Key-in window Tool Settings window AccuDraw window If a window is closed, its level in the hierarchy is skipped. However, once the Key-in window receives the focus, pressing does not move the focus to another window.

Moves input focus downward through the window hierarchy. If a window is closed, its level in the hierarchy is skipped.

or

Moves input focus from one settings box (or the Primary tool bar) to the next. (If using Microsoft Windows, use only.)

or

Same as but moves through the windows in the reverse order. (If using Microsoft Windows, use only.)

MicroStation Basics


Menus in dialog boxes and settings boxesMany dialog boxes have pull-down menus from which you can choose functions appropriate for the operations performed with the dialog boxes. Dialog boxes used to select files to open, import, attach, display, or run contain File and Directory menus.

File menu in dialog boxes used to open files

From the File menu, you can choose from among the last four files opened with the dialog box. For example, the File menu in the Open Design File dialog box contains items for up to four of the most recently opened design files. (These same files also are listed in, and can be opened from, the File menu in the MicroStation window.) The File menu in the Run User Command dialog box contains up to the last four user commands run. If no files of the appropriate type have been opened, the File menu contains the item, No File History.

Directory menu in dialog boxes used to open files

From the Directory menu, you can choose Select Configuration Variable (see Configuration Variables in the MicroStation Administrators Guide), Current Work Directory, or one of the numbered (1, 2, 3, and so on) directories.

The current work directory is the directory that was the current directory when you started MicroStation. Some users segregate their projects by directory and start MicroStation in a particular directory to work on that project. Choosing Current Work Directory from the File menu displays the files in the directory in which MicroStation was started in the dialog box.

The numbered directories include the directory or directories specified in the configuration variable used by the dialog box and up to four of the last directories used by the dialog box in the current session.

ControlsDialog boxes have the following types of controls:

Buttons are areas that you click to start an operation. A button, usually labeled OK, must be clicked to start the open or save operation and dismiss (close) the dialog box.

Check boxes are areas that you click to turn a setting on or off. When on, a check box is filled with an x.

File menu in Open Design File dialog box.

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A field is an area into which you can key in text or numbers. In a non-modal settings box (one that can remain open while you work), what you key in has no effect until you press or or otherwise move the input focus out of the field.

List boxes are rectangular areas in which files, directories, or other items are listed for selection or reference. When an item is selected, it is displayed as light text on a dark background.

Option menus are menus that pop down when you press on the currently chosen menu item text.

Radio buttons are either round diamond-shaped controls that let you turn on one of several mutually exclusive items, just as the buttons on a car radio allows you to tune in only one station at a time. When off, a radio button is light gray and appears to project upwards. When on, the radio button is dark and appears to be depressed.

The shape of the button is dependent on the windowing system. Within a Windows environment, the radio buttons will be round. Within a Motif environment, the radio buttons will be diamond shaped.

If a button in a dialog box is outlined, it is the default button; pressing the key on the keyboard is the equivalent of clicking that button with the mouse. For example, the OK button in the Open Design File dialog box is the default button, so you can press rather than clicking the OK button to open the selected file. You can also double-click the desired file in the Files list box to open it, rather than selecting the file in the Files list box and then clicking the OK button.

MicroStation Basics


Exercise: Starting MicroStationThis exercise covers starting MicroStation and introduces you to some basic fundamentals.

Start MicroStation (Windows)1. Open the MicroStation program group in the Windows

Program Manager.

2. Double-click the MicroStation icon in the MicroStation program group.

When MicroStation starts, the MicroStation Manager dialog box is displayed.

Create a design file1. Open MicroStation Managers File menu by pointing at File in

the menu bar and clicking the Mouse button.

2. From the File menu, choose New by clicking that menu item. To click an item in a menu or a button means to point at it and click the Mouse button.

If you are using The Data button is

Mouse The mouse button

Tablet cursor See Using the Mouse or Digitizing Tablet in Chapter 2 in the Setup Guide

MicroStation Managerdialog box

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The Create Design File dialog box opens.

3. Type the name for your new design file, mydesign, in the Name field.

4. Click the OK button.

The Create Design File dialog box closes, and the MicroStation Manager dialog box displays mydesign.dgn in the Name field. The file is also selected (highlighted) in the Files list box.

5. Click OK.

6. The MicroStation Manager dialog box closes and the design file mydesign.dgn opens.

Create Design Filedialog box

MicroStation Managerdialog box

MicroStation Basics


Your screen should look something like this:

Exercise: Using a drawing toolA MicroStation design is composed of elements, such as lines, ellipses, and arcs.

Place a line element with the Place Line tool1. Point at the Place SmartLine tool in the Main tool box and

press and hold down the Data button. (On the mouse, Data is the left button.)

The Place SmartLine tool is highlighted and additional, connected tools branch off from the Place SmartLine tool.

2. As you continue to hold down the Data button, drag the pointer toward the center of view window 1.

As you drag, a rectangular outline of the additional tools is displayed.

3. Release the Data button.

The rectangular outline becomes the Linear Elements tool box, which contains Place SmartLine and several more tools. You

MicroStations screen when mydesign.dgn is opened.

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have torn the Linear Elements tool box from the Main tool box.

4. In the Linear Elements tool box, point at the Place Line tool (next to the Place SmartLine tool) and click (press and release) the Data button.

The Place Line tool is now selected. There are several visible effects: the tool name is displayed in the status bar, and the title bar of the Tool Settings window now reads Place Line. In the Main tool box, Place Line replaces Place SmartLine.

When you move the pointer into view window 1, the pointer changes from an arrow to a crosshair.

5. Press and hold down the Data button as you move the pointer in view window 1.

The pointer assumes the shape of an X. As you drag the pointer, the line you are placing is dynamically displayed as though it were a rubber band attached to the pointer. This effect is called dynamic update or rubberbanding.

6. Release the Data button to place the line. If the line appears jagged, dont worry. The screen may not have enough dots (pixels) to display this particular line without jaggies. When you plot the line (as in the illustration), it will be straight.

The pointer locations where you pressed and released the Data button are called data points. These data points, labeled 1 and 2 in the above illustration, specify the endpoints of the line.

The Place Line tool is still selected, as indicated in the status bar. The tool is locked. You can place additional lines simply by repeating steps 5 and 6 above. Experienced users like to lock tools as a means of increasing efficiency. (You can select tools without locking them by double-clicking them: pointing at them and clicking the Data button twice in quick succession.)

Lets get back to placing elements. When you enter a series of data points, one after the other, you can press (and release) the

Dragging the pointer toplace a line.

MicroStation Basics


Data button to enter each one. You may find this drawing method easier than dragging.

Place a line by pressing the Data button to enter each data point instead of dragging

1. Press (and release) the Data button to enter a data point in view window 1.

The line you are placing is dynamically displayed as you move the pointer.

2. Enter a second data point in view window 1 and place the line.

Surprise! A new line is dynamically displayed as you move the crosshair pointer. The dynamic line extends from the end of the line you just placed.

If you were to enter another data point now, you would have two connected lines. (They would be separate elements, but have a common endpoint.)

Lets say you want to start a new line at another location.

Place a new line at another location1. Press the Reset button. (On the mouse, Reset is the right

button.)

This is called entering a Reset or Resetting.

2. Enter a data point in view window 1.

3. Enter a second data point and place the line.

The Place Line tool is like most element placement tools in that, when you use it, you enter a series of two or more data points.

For entering each data point, you can choose between dragging and pressing the Data button, and these techniques can be used in combination.

You can Reset to start an element at a different location.

Placing a second line.

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Now that you have learned these techniques, place some more lines for practice, and then continue with the next exercise.

Exercise: Placing line strings and circlesYou have just seen how easy it is to place a series of connected line elements (that is, line elements with common end points) with the Place Line tool. It is preferable, though, to place connected line segments as a single line string so they can be directly manipulated (copied, moved, deleted, and so on) as a group. The Place SmartLine tool is used to place a line string.

Placing a line string with Place SmartLine is much like placing a series of connected line elements. As you might expect, a data point defines each vertex (corner) of the line string. The difference is that you Reset to signal MicroStation that you are finished defining the vertices.

Place a line string1. In the Linear Elements tool box, point at the Place SmartLine

tool and click the Data button.

The Place SmartLine tool is selected. The prompt in the status bar reads Place SmartLine > Enter first vertex.

2. Enter a data point (press and release the Data button) in view window 1 to define a vertex.

The first segment of the line string is dynamically displayed as you move the crosshair pointer.

3. Enter several more data points to define additional vertices.

4. Reset (press the right mouse button).

The line string is placed.

The Place SmartLine tool is one of the few tools with which you cannot Reset to start over at a different location. This is because a

Placing vertices with thePlace Stream Line String tool

(steps 2 and 3).

MicroStation Basics


line string can have many segments, and Resetting is how you indicate to MicroStation that the line string is complete.

Place a circle by its center1. In the Main tool box, select the Place Circle tool.

2. Check in the Tool Settings window, whose title bar now reads Place Circle, to make sure Method is set to Center.

(If Method is set to Edge or Diameter, then set it to Center by pointing at the Method option menu and clicking the Data button and then clicking Center.)

The prompt in the status bar reads Place Circle By Center > Identify Center Point.

3. Enter a data point in view window 1 to define the center of the circle. The pointer changes to crosshairs.

The circle is dynamically displayed as you move the crosshair pointer.

4. Enter a data point to define the edge of the circle and place the circle.

There are other ways to place a circle by drawing from edge to edge, for instance, as you will see in a moment. In fact, there is more than one way to place most element types.

Place a circle by its edge1. In the Tool Settings window, set Method to Edge. Point at the

Method option menu and click the Data button, and then click Edge.

The prompt in the status bar is Place Circle By Edge > Identify Point on Circle

2. Enter a data point (press and release the Data button) in view window 1 to define a point on the edge of the circle.

Placing a circle by its center.

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3. Enter a data point to define another point on the edge of the circle.

Small squares mark the locations of both edge points. A circle passing through both points and the location of the pointer is dynamically displayed.

4. Enter a data point to define a third point on the edge of the circle and place the circle.

Place some more circles. Try both dragging and pressing for entering data points. Because the Edge Method setting requires three data points, you cannot drag to enter them all.

Exercise: Placing textText can be used to annotate and label a design, to show part numbers, to indicate geometric tolerancing, to display data associated with graphical elements, to include instructions or explanations for other members of a workgroup, and to relate other information that cannot conveniently be conveyed graphically.

Place a text element1. In the Main tool box, select the Place Text tool (its icon is the

letter A).

The Text Editor window opens.

2. In the Text Editor window, type the text you want to place.

Placing a circle by its edge.

MicroStation Basics


3. Move the pointer to where you want to place the text in view window 1.

The text in the Text Editor window displays dynamically as you move the pointer. (The text may be too large to fit in view window 1, but it will all be placed.)

4. Enter a data point (press and release the Data button) to place the text.

5. After pressing the Data button, a copy of the text is still displayed. Pressing the Reset button clears the text.

Exercise: Getting helpMicroStation has an extensive on-line help system that features hypertext links between topics. The system can be set to provide help on each tool you select. You can browse help topics and search for topic names. You can also print individual help articles.

Browse help topics1. In the Standard tool bar under the main menu bar, click the ?

(Help) icon.

or

From the Help menu, select Contents.

Placing text (step 4).

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The Help window opens through your browser, and the Table of Contents is displayed. The Help window is divided into two frames. The left frame or Table of Contents frame displays the list of available topics. The right frame or Document Body frame displays the text associated with the currently selected topic.

2. In the Table of Contents window, click on the blue arrow located to the left of the topic for which you need further information.

A list of subtopics displays.

3. Click Using MicroStation Manager.

The associated help article displays. The article itself contains hypertext.

Find the right tool to construct a chamfer1. In the Search field, type construct a chamfer.

2. Click the Search button.

A number of hits are displayed in the list box. The one titled Construct Chamfer is the most likely candidate.

MicroStation Basics


3. In the list box, click Construct Chamfer.

The help article on the Construct Chamfer tool is displayed in the Document Body frame.

Tracking gives you help on each tool you select. For each new tool you select, the help is automatically displayed in the Help window.

Turn on Tracking and get help on the next tool you will use, Place Block.

1. From the Help menu, select Tracking.

Tracking is now enabled.

When tracking is on, the Help window displays information about the tool you select.

2. In the Polygons tool box from the Main tool bar, select the Place Block tool.

Help on Place Block is displayed in the Help window.

Exercise: Deleting elementsBy now view window 1 is crowded with elements. Here is how to get rid of some of them.

Select a line and delete it1. In the Main tool bar, select the Element Selection tool (its icon

is an arrow).

The pointer becomes an arrow with a circle at its tip.

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2. Select the line you want to delete by pointing at it and pressing (and releasing) the Data button.

The line is bracketed with handles (small squares) to indicate that it is selected. If you selected the wrong element (or didnt select any element), just try again.

3. In the Primary tool bar, select the Delete Element tool.

The line is deleted. The Element Selection tool is automatically reselected.

Rather than selecting the Delete Element tool, you can press the key to delete the element.

If you delete the wrong element, you can undo the mistake.

Undelete the line Press ( refers to MicroStations logical

key. See Using the PC Keyboard in Chapter 2 in the Setup Guide). (That is, while holding down the key, press the key.)

This is the same as choosing Undo from the Edit menu. is the keyboard accelerator for that menu item.

The line is displayed where it was before it was deleted.

You can undo element placement, manipulation, and modification operations. It is possible to undo multiple operations in MicroStation. The first undoable operation is shown as part of the Undo item in the Edit menu. Similarly, the first redoable operation is shown as part of the Redo item in the same menu.

When you delete an element, the element remains in the design file even though it is no longer part of the design and you cannot see it.

Exercise: Using key-insYou can select a tool by clicking it, and you can also select a tool by entering a key-in in the Key-in window. To key in means to type text in the Key-in windows key-in field and press or clicking on the Key-in button Some MicroStation functions, namely the set of utilities known as special key-ins, can be activated only by key-in.

MicroStation Basics


Open the Key-in window From the Utilities menu, choose Key-in. (This instruction is

shorthand for Point at Utilities in the main menu bar; click the Data button to post the menu; and click the Key-in item.)

When you use the keyboard, the text you type goes into the window that has the input focus. The title bar of the window that has the input focus title is highlighted.

If a settings box has the input focus when you want to enter a key-in in the Key-in window, you must first give the Key-in window the input focus. To do this, press or click in the Key-in window.

The MicroStation key-in language is composed of a hierarchy of English keywords. For example, keying in PLACE CIRCLE CENTER CONSTRAINED selects the Place Circle tool and sets the tools Method to Center; PLACE CIRCLE EDGE CONSTRAINED, the Place Circle tool with Method set to Edge; and DELETE ELEMENT, the Delete Element tool. The key-in used to select each tool is shown in the Users Guide.

A powerful feature of Key-ins is the ability of the MicroStation software to recognize and complete commands. For example, if you key-in ACC and hit the space bar, the rest of ACCUDRAW will be filled in on the text line.

You can abbreviate key-ins for example, PLACE CIRCLE CENTER CONSTRAINED can be abbreviated to PLA CI C C and PLACE CIRCLE EDGE CONSTRAINED to PLA CI E C. (You can shorten the key-in by omitting letters at the ends of words as long as the abbreviation is unique, so MicroStation understands which key-in you are abbreviating.) You dont need to use uppercase letters.

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Select Place Circle and set its Method to Center with a key-in

With the input focus in the Key-in window, key in pla ci c c (type the text and then press ).

The prompt in the status bar reads Place Circle By Center > Identify Center Point.

While the key-in area of the Key-in window has the input focus, you can recall previous key-ins by pressing the key (up arrow). Another way to recall a previous key-in is to select it in the list box at the bottom of the window.

Depending on the context, the instruction, Key in, may mean that text is to be keyed in fields in other windows, such as settings boxes.

Exercise: Saving a design fileThe standard Save and Save As items in MicroStations File menu are used to save the active design file. For more information on when these settings are enabled or disabled, see the Users Guide.

Save (and rename) the active design file1. From the File menu, choose Save As.

The Save Design As dialog box opens. Choosing either Save or save as has the same effect if the active design file is mydesign.dgn.

2. In the Files field, key in a new filename.

The default extension for design files is .dgn.

3. Use the Directories list box to specify the destination directory.

4. Use the Drives option menu to specify the destination disk drive.


The file is saved. The MicroStation windows title bar shows the new filename.

MicroStation Basics


Exercise: Ending the session Exit MicroStation

From the File menu, choose Exit.or

In the Key-in window, key in EXIT.or

In the Key-in window, key in QUIT.or

Press . ( refers to MicroStations logical key. See Using the PC Keyboard in Chapter 2 in the Setup Guide.)

OR

1. Press .

2. Press .

and are mnemonic access characters. For more information about these short-cuts, see Operating menus with the keyboard in Chapter 2 in the Setup Guide.


2 MicroStation Fundamentals

This tutorial covers the fundamentals of using view controls to navigate in your designs. It also gives you an idea of the flow of MicroStation. For example, you will see how you can interrupt a drawing tool to use a view control and then return to the drawing tool at the point at which it was interrupted.


Backing up a design file

Fitting the active design

Windowing areas of the design

Zooming and panning

Interrupting a drawing tool to use a view control

In each exercise, it is assumed that you have just completed the preceding exercise.

Exercise: Backing up a design fileThis tutorial uses a copy of the design file, office.dgn. You will rename the file to off_bak.dgn and work with the renamed file. The original file remains unaltered so it can be used with a subsequent tutorial.

Open the design file office.dgn1. From the File menu, choose Open.

The Open Design File dialog box opens.

2. In the Directories list box, select MicroStations \Workspace\projects\tutorials\intro\dgn directory.

3. In the Files list box, select office.dgn.


Backing up a design file


View window 1 shows a receptionists desk in a lobby. The design includes the floor plan of an entire floor of an office building.

Create the backup file1. From the File menu, choose Save As.

The Save Design As dialog box opens.

2. In the Files field, key in off_bak.dgn.


The backup file off_bak.dgn is created and opened as the active design file. Recall that the MicroStation windows title bar identifies the active design file.

All the sample files supplied with MicroStation, including those used with the Tutorial Workbook are backed up on the delivery media. If you want to start over with one, reinstall the sample files. (If there are any sample files that you do not want overwritten during reinstallation, rename them or move them to another directory.)

Save Design As dialog box

Fitting the active design


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Exercise: Fitting the active designAs you move view windows about on the screen, the content of the views stays the same. View controls are used to change the part of the design displayed in each view. View controls are located on the view control bar on the bottom border of each view window.

Display the entire design in view window 11. Select the Fit View view control by clicking it in the windows

view control bar.

The entire design is fitted in view window 1.

Notice that the Fit View view control remains selected.

2. In the center of the design, locate the receptionists desk in the lobby. You will use this location later in this tutorial.

While using the view controls, if you lose the design and find yourself looking at an empty view, use the Fit View view control to locate your drawings.

View control bar

The pointer indicates thelocation of the

receptionists desk.



Exercise: Windowing areas of the designUse view window 1 to refer to the entire floor plan and open a second view window to examine details. At the end of this exercise, the two open view windows will look similar to this:

Resize view window 1 and fit the entire design in it1. Position the pointer over the lower right corner of view

window 1s border.

When the pointer is precisely over the corner of the window border, it becomes a diagonal double arrow.

2. When the pointer becomes a diagonal double arrow, press (and hold down) the Data button, and drag the corner upward and to the left until the view window occupies only the upper left quadrant of the screen.

3. Re-select the Fit View view control to again display the entire design in view window 1.

The design includes a border and reference lines that extend far beyond the floor plan. There is no need to see these in their entirety in view window 1.



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Window the area that contains the floor plan1. Select the Window Area view control.

Window Area view is used to enlarge a part of the design to fill an entire view window.

The pointer changes to a large X. In the Tool Settings window, Apply to Window is set to (view window) 1.

2. Position the pointer inside view window 1 just above and to the left of the floor plan. Then press (and release) the Data button to enter a data point there.

As you move the pointer, a rectangular box indicating the area to be fit is dynamically displayed.

3. Position the pointer just below and to the right of the floor plan, and again enter a data point.

The box disappears, and the defined area fills the view (to the extent possible, given the difference between the shape of the area you defined and the shape of the view window).

Open another view window and display a detail of the design in it

1. From the Window menus Open/Close sub-menu, choose (view window) 2.

View window 2 opens.

2. Move and resize view window 2, by dragging it by its title bar and dragging its resize borders, so that it fills the entire right half of the screen.

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Windowing the floor plan(steps 2 and 3)

Zooming and panning


The Window Area view control remains selected.

3. In the Tool Settings window, choose (view window) 2 from the Apply to Window option menu.

4. Enter two data points in view window 1 to define the area around the conference table in the upper left quadrant of the floor plan. You can either press the Data button for each data point or drag the pointer while holding down the Data button.

The defined area is displayed in view window 2.

5. Repeat step 4 to examine other details of the design (such as a stairwell or work cubicle). The smaller the area you define in view window 1, the greater the magnification in view window 2.

6. Repeat step 4 to window the receptionists desk. The receptionists desk is between two beams in the lower half of the central lobby of the office building.

Exercise: Zooming and panningThe Zoom Out and Zoom In view controls also let you increase or reduce the scale at which part of a design is displayed in a view. The zoom controls have effects similar to a zoom lens on a camera, magnifying or shrinking an image.

Experiment with the Zoom Out and Zoom In view controls

1. In the view control bar in the border of view window 2, select the Zoom In view control (its icon is a + sign).

2. In view window 2, enter a data point in the center of the typewriter on the receptionists desk.

When you zoom in or out, the point at which you enter the data point becomes the views center. Therefore, the center of the typewriter is displayed at the center of view window 2, and the size of each element displayed in the view is doubled.

3. In the view control bar in the border of view window 2, select the Zoom Out view control (its icon is a sign).

The size of the displayed elements is halved. That is, they are sized as they were before you zoomed out.

4. Again select Zoom Out.

The size of the displayed elements is again halved.

Zooming and panning


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Undo and redo the last zoom operation1. In the view control bar in the border of view window 2, select

the View Previous view control (its icon is a curved arrow pointing to the left).

View window 2 returns to its state prior to the last zoom operation.

2. Select the View Next view control, which is located immediately to the right of View Previous in the view control bar.

View window 2 returns to its state prior to use of View Previous.

A convenient way to change the part of the design displayed in a view without changing the magnification is to dynamically pan (like zoom, a camera metaphor) in a view.

The dynamic panning procedure does not lend itself to step-by-step description, so it is recommended that you review the next procedure in its entirety before starting to perform it.

Pan dynamically within View 21. Position the pointer near the center of view window 2.

2. Hold down the key while you press and hold down the Data button to define the anchor point. (You can then release the key, but keep the Data button depressed.)

The anchor point is a point in the view window, not a point in the design. It is not displayed.

3. While keeping the Data button depressed, drag the pointer a short distance directly to the right of the anchor point.

The design begins to pan (shift) in the direction you dragged the pointer. The farther you drag the pointer from the anchor point, the faster the panning occurs.

You also control the direction of the panning by dragging the pointer. Imagine an arrow starting at the anchor point and ending wherever you drag the pointer. Panning follows the direction of the imaginary arrow, and the panning speed increases with the length of the imaginary arrow.

Panning stops when you release the Data button.



Exercise: Interrupting a drawing tool to use a view controlSuppose you wanted to draw a line diagonally across the floor plan from the steel I-beam in the upper left corner to the I-beam in the lower right corner. The I-beams are small relative to the distance between them and are surrounded by other elements in the design. If you had to draw the line in a single view, you would not be able to accurately place the ends of the line on the I-beams. With MicroStation, you can solve the problem by interrupting your drawing to use the view controls.

View a detail of the upper left I-beam in view window 2 and start to place a line

1. Use the Window Area view control to display in view window 2 a small rectangle containing the upper left corner of the floor plan.

The I-beam is gray and is located at the intersection of the two dashed, green lines just inside the corner of the floor plan. (If you cannot see the I-beam, use the Zoom Out view control to increase the portion of the design visible in view window 2. When you find the I-beam, use the Zoom In view control to increase the magnification again and to display the I-beam in the center of the view window.)

Windowing the upper leftcorner of the floor plan



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2. In the Linear Elements tool box, select the Place Line tool.

3. Enter a data point at the intersection of the two green lines that cross the I-beam.

The prompt in the status bar is Enter end point.

4. Move the pointer around in both view windows without pressing the Data button.

As you move the pointer, MicroStation dynamically displays a line from the I-beam to the pointer location. However, if you position the pointer directly over a view windows resize border, the line no longer displays and the pointer becomes a double arrow. Even though the Place Line tool is selected, you can resize view windows, change settings, and use the view controls.

Window the lower right I-beam and finish placing the line

1. Use the Window Area view control to display a small rectangle containing the lower right corner of the floor plan in view window 2.

While the Window Area view control is selected, the title of the Tool Settings window is Window Area.

2. Reset. (Recall the Reset button is the right mouse button.)

The Window Area view control is de-selected, and the Place Line tool is reselected. The tools settings are again shown in

3Starting the line at theintersection of the two

green lines.



the Tool Settings window, and the prompt in the status bar again reads Enter end point.

3. Finish placing the line: Enter a data point at the intersection of the two green lines over the I-beam in the lower right corner of the floor plan.

Undo placement of the line In the Standard tool bar, click the Undo icon (the icon looks

much like the View Previous.

The line disappears, and the message in the status bar reads Place Line > Undone.

(Optional) Save your work From the File menu, choose Save Settings.

In the remaining tutorials, zooming and panning are not specifically described within exercises or procedures. It is assumed that you will zoom and pan as needed.

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Finishing the line.


3 AccuDraw and Other Drafting Aids

Working with a mechanical engineering design, you will use MicroStations most powerful drafting aid, AccuDraw. This aid makes other tools you have previously used behave somewhat differently. AccuDraw allows precise placement of drawing and text elements as well as copies and mirrored copies of elements.

The tutorial is structured as a series of exercises that are meant to be performed consecutively. You will learn to:

Use AccuDraws input focus

Use AccuDraw to develop a compass


If you have trouble

If you have trouble when you are going through the lesson, doing one of the following usually helps:

Reset, by pressing the Reset button. This is most useful when you have trouble using a tool.

Undo, by choosing Undo from the Edit menu, or by clicking the Undo icon in the Standard tool bar below the main menu bar. This is most helpful after you finish using a tool and realize that you have made a mistake. Remember, MicroStation lets you undo more than just the last operation.

Undo a change made with a view control by choosing the View Previous view control, located on the view control bar in the bottom border of each view window. This is helpful if you use a view control to zoom out or window an area and lose your bearings.

W DO NOT RESET OR ENTER A DATA POINT UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.



Exercise: Use AccuDraws input focusObserve AccuDraws response to specific movements of our pointer as we place elements in the design file.

Exercise AccuDraws input focus1. Open the design file clock.dgn from the

\Workspace\projects\tutorials\intro\dgn directory.

A clock face appears. Each hour represents 30 of an arc, with a half hour representing 15 of an arc.

2. Activate AccuDraw.

3. Select the Place Smartline tool.

4. Snap to the center of the clock hands and enter a data point.

5. Move your pointer toward the III.

Note AccuDraws focus is on the X field.

6. Move your pointer toward the XII.

AccuDraws input focus setto the X field.



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Now, the focus is on the Y field.

7. Move your pointer toward the I.

The focus remains on the Y field.

8. Move your pointer toward the half hour line between I and II.

This location is 45 from the intersection of the clock hands. This represents the crossover point for the input focus. Depending on where your pointer is located, the focus will be on X or Y.

9. Try moving the pointer around to various parts of the clock face.

Can you predict where the focus will go as you move the pointer around the screen?

10. Press Reset.

11. Deactivate AccuDraw by double clicking the window control button in the upper left corner of the AccuDraw window.

AccuDraws input focus setto the Y field.

AccuDraws input focus set

to the Y field at the 45crossover point. Notice that a

slight movement of yourpointer toward the II willindex the pointer to the X

field and vice versa as youmove back toward the I.



Exercise: Use AccuDraw to develop a compass Enter coordinate values with AccuDraw

1. Open the design file compass.dgn found in \Workspace\projects\tutorials\intro\dgn directory.

2. Activate AccuDraw.

3. Select the Place Line tool.

4. Snap to the green point and enter a data point to accept for the first point of the line.

5. Move the pointer to the right to index AccuDraw to the X field.

6. Enter 0.75 in the X field of the AccuDraw window and press .

7. Enter a data point.

Make sure that the pointer remains close to the X axis so that a horizontal line is placed.

8. Reset.

9. Repeat steps 3 through 7 three times to create the remaining compass directions.

Make sure that, after you accept the tentative point, you move the pointer in the direction of the line you are placing.

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Placing line 1 by snapping to the compass center and using AccuDraw to enter the X coordinate value.

Placing lines 2, 3 and 4 by snapping to the compass center and using AccuDraws index function to place X and Y coordinate values.



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Continue developing the compass using AccuDraw1. Select the Place Circle tool.

2. Snap to the center point of the compass and accept with a data point.

3. Move the pointer to the right to index AccuDraw to the X field.

AccuDraws appearance has changed. It now displays its Polar coordinate system (distance and angle values) instead of its Rectangular coordinate system (X and Y values). When placing a circle it does not matter which coordinate system is in use because the value you key into AccuDraw determines the radius value of the circle.

4. Enter 1.00 in the Distance field of the AccuDraw window and press .

5. Move the pointer about the screen.

Notice that the Distance field remains constant but the Angle field changes.

6. Enter a data point, and then reset.

7. Repeat steps 2 through 6, using a radius value of 1.75 for the outer circle.

Placing the compass circles using AccuDraw to input the radius value. Note that the second data point is placed at different locations for the two circles.



Use the Mirror tool with AccuDraw1. Select the Mirror tool and set Mirror About: to Line and Copy

to On.

2. Identify the diamond compass point with a data point.

3. Snap to the center of the compass and accept with a data point.

4. Verify that AccuDraw is using its Polar coordinate mode.

Pressing the shifts between AccuDraws Polar and Rectangular coordinate modes.

5. Move the pointer away from the center of the compass toward the North East and enter 45 for the Angle.

6. Place a data point to place the new compass point, and then reset.

Use the Copy tool with AccuDraw1. Select the Copy tool.

2. Identify the diamond compass point to the right.

3. Move the pointer toward the center of the compass.

4. Verify that AccuDraw is using its Rectangular coordinate mode.


Copying the diamondcompass point using

mirror about a line andAccuDraw.



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6. Enter a data point, and then reset.

7. Repeat steps 2 through 5 for the diamond compass point at the top, using a value of 2.5 in the Y field of the AccuDraw window.

Use AccuDraws distance and angle mode to place the compass needle


2. Snap to the center of the compass and accept with a data point.

3. Shift AccuDraw into its Polar coordinate mode.

4. Enter 1.50 in the Distance field of the AccuDraw window and press .

5. Enter 45 in the Angle field of the AccuDraw window and enter a data point.

6. Reset.

Result of copying theremaining diamond

compass points.

Placing the compass pointer.



Place Text using AccuDraw with an offset distance1. Select the Place Text tool.

2. Enter N (for North) in the Text window.

3. Snap to the center of the compass.

W Do not enter data points in this exercise until you are instructed to do so.

4. Verify that AccuDraw is using its Polar coordinate mode.

5. Press the key to place the origin at this point.

6. Enter 1.50 in the Distance field and 90 in the Angle field of the AccuDraw window.

7. Enter a data point to accept this location.

8. Return to the Text window and replace the N with a W.

9. Press the key to return the focus to AccuDraw.

10. Move the pointer to the West.

11. Press the to switch to the Rectangular coordinate mode.

12. Enter 1.5 for both the X and Y values.

Placing the Northcompass marker.



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14. Return to the Text window and replace the W with an S.

15. Press the key to return the focus to AccuDraw.

16. Move the pointer to the South.

17. Enter 1.5 for both the X and Y values.


19. Reset.

Placing the Westcompass marker.

Placing the Southcompass marker.



Rotate the AccuDraw drawing plane1. Zoom in on the North East quadrant of the compass.


3. Snap to the endpoint of the compass needle. Do not accept this point.

4. Press the key to set the AccuDraw origin at this point.

5. Press the key, and then the key.

Note what has happened to the AccuDraw compass. It now rotates about the selected origin point to follow the pointer movements.

6. Snap to endpoint of the North marker line.


Note how the axes of the AccuDraw compass are aligned now. The point location just entered established the X axis of AccuDraws drawing plane.

8. Move the pointer back toward the compass needle.


Note the alignment of the X axis.

Snapping to the compassneedle and rotating

AccuDraws Axis.

Snap here

Snapping to the Northmarker line.



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10. Accept with a data point.

11. Move the pointer along AccuDraws X axis.

Notice that the Y value sets to 0.0000 as you move along the index line.



14. Press the key, and then the key.

15. Snap to endpoint of the East marker line.


Drawing the first segmentof the arrowhead.

Snapping to the Eastmarker line.



Note how the axes of the AccuDraw compass are aligned now. The point location just entered established the X axis of AccuDraws drawing plane.

17. Move the pointer back toward the compass needle.


Note the alignment of the X axis.


20. Reset.

21. Fit the view window.

Drawing the secondsegment of the arrowhead.

The competed compass.


4 Modifying a Design

In this tutorial, you will use MicroStations basic features for drawing 2D designs. After you create and open a new design file, you will see how easily MicroStations line styles, tentative points, and cells let you draw a simple architectural plan.


Modifying a design using multi-lines and a custom line style


If you have trouble

If you have trouble when going through the lesson, doing one of the following usually helps:

Reset by pressing the Reset button. This is most helpful when you have trouble using a tool.

Undo by choosing Undo from the Edit menu. This is most helpful after you finish using a tool and realize youve made a mistake. Remember MicroStation lets you undo more than just the last operation.

Undo a change made with a view control by clicking on the View Previous tool located on the bottom of each view window. This is helpful if you use a view control to zoom in or out of an area and lose your bearings.

Exercise: Modifying a design using multi-lines and a custom line styleIn this exercise, you will modify an existing design, finishing the remodeling of an office by adding walls and a curved window. The window is represented by a custom line style that has the appearance of a multi-line and can be placed as a curve. Although these elements contain much more information than simple lines, you will see that it is no more difficult to place them.

Throughout this exercise, the entire design is displayed in view window 1. Zoom in on details of the design in view window 3 to facilitate snapping tentative points to elements. Move and resize view window 3 whenever it covers something you need to see in view window 1.



Open the design file remodel.dgn1. From the File menu, choose Open.

The Open Design File dialog box opens. The active design file is automatically selected in the Files list box, which has the input focus.

2. Select the \Workspace\projects\tutorials\intro\dgn directory.

3. Press .

The design file remodel.dgn is selected in the Files list box.

4. Click the OK button or press .

The file remodel.dgn is opened as the active file.

This design file contains only part of an architectural design. You can fit the entire design into one view at a reasonable magnification. The filled orange multi-lines in view window 1 represent the exterior wall of the building that will not be changed.



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Delete part of an existing wall1. From the Main tool bar, select the Modify Element tool and

tear off the tool box.

The Modify tool box opens.

2. Select the Partial Delete tool.

3. If you have not already done so, select the AccuDraw tool.

4. With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press .

The Data Point Keyin settings box opens.

5. From the option menu, choose Absolute (xy=).

6. In the field, key in 6:9.5,9:0 and press .

The multi-line that runs along the bottom of the design is to be cut from this point to a point further to the left.

7. Key in 18:11,9:0 and press .

A section of the multi-line is deleted.

Place a new partition (interior wall)1. In the Window menus Open/Close sub-menu, turn on view

window 3.

View window 3 opens and displays the magnified left end of the orange multi-line near the upper right corner of view window 1. The View Attribute Fill is on in view window 1, but not in view window 3.

2. From the Settings menu, choose Manage.

The Select Settings settings box opens.

3. From the Group option menu, select V40 - Multiline Styles.



4. From the Component option menu, select the component Partition - Use with Tutorial.

The multi-line defined as the Partition component becomes the active multi-line style and the Place Multi-line tool is selected. The prompt in the status bar is Enter first point.

5. In view window 3, snap a tentative point to the lower end of the vertical line at the left end of the multi-line.

6. Enter a data point to accept the tentative point.

One end of the multi-line is placed. The multi-line dynamically displays from that point to the pointer.

7. Use the Zoom In view control to display in view window 1 a magnified view of the left end of the multi-line directly below the filled multi-line in view window 3.

8. Reset to deselect the Zoom In view control.

9. In view window 1, snap a tentative point on the end of the dashed, blue line that runs along the center of the multi-line.

10. Enter a data point to accept the tentative point.

The first partition is placed. Another multi-line segment dynamically displays from the end of this segment to the pointer. Do not Reset.

11. In the Window menus Open/Close sub-menu, turn off view 3.

12. Use the Fit View view control to fit view 1.

13. Enter a Reset to return to the placement of the multi-line.

The contents of View 3after step 6.



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Continue placing partitions1. In the Primary tool bar, select the Start AccuDraw tool.

2. With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press .

The Data Point Keyin settings box opens. The shortcut is used for a single data point key-in.

3. From the option menu choose Absolute (xy=).

4. In the field, key in 6:10,9:0 and press .

The Data Point Keyin settings box closes and another multi-line segment is placed. The lines length is constrained by the 9:0 (Y-axis measurement)

5. With focus now in the AccuDraw Tool Settings window, change the AccuDraw window options from X and Y to Distance and Angle by pressing .

If Distance and Angle are already set, pressing changes the options back to X and Y.

6. Position the multi-line toward the top of the screen.

The AccuDraw setting boxs Angle field is 90.

7. Press to lock the multi-line segment at 90.

8. With focus now in AccuDraws Distance field, key in 16.

The third and final partition is placed. The partitions length is constrained by the Distance field key-in of 16.

AccuDraw PolarCoordinates



9. Enter a data point within view window 1 to accept the constrained line.

10. Reset.

Joining the multi-lines1. From the Tools menu, choose Multi-line joints.

The Multi-line Joints tool box opens.

2. In the Multi-line Joints tool box, select the Construct Closed Tee Joint tool.

The prompt in the status bar is Identify element.

3. Identify the orange multi-line in the lower right corner of view window 1 by entering a data point on it.

4. Identify the right, vertical segment of the newly-placed multi-line.

5. Accept the joint (by entering a data point).

The intersection of the two multi-lines is cleaned up.

6. Identify the orange multi-line in the lower left corner of view window 1.

7. Identify the left, vertical segment of the newly-placed multi-line.

The three multi-linepartitions in place.



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8. Accept the joint.

The intersection of the two multi-lines is cleaned up.

Leave this file open and continue to the next chapter.

Cleaning up themulti-line joints.


5 Working with Cells

In this tutorial you will complete the remodeling project begun in the previous chapter.


Working with Cells and Cell Libraries


Exercise: Working with Cells and Cell LibrariesAn office may require many identical representations of windows, doors, fixtures, and pieces of furniture. Rather than draw the same things over and over or copy them repeatedly, it is more efficient to draw each item once, store it in a file, and place copies of the drawing wherever needed.

MicroStations cells and cell libraries give you the ability to do just that. A cell is a complex element composed of primary or other complex elements (in effect, a small drawing) that can be stored in a file, the cell library, for repeated use in one or many designs.

To make the cells in a cell library available for use with a design file, you associate the cell library with the design file by attaching the library to the design file.

In this exercise, you will place cells in the design as though you were placing a line or other element.



Select the DR30RH cell (from the remodel.cel library) as the active placement cell (Active Cell)

1. From the Element menu, choose Cells.

The Cell Library settings box opens. The name and path of the attached cell library are shown in the title bar.

2. Select the cell named DR30RH (a 3' 0" right-hand door).

An image of the cell is displayed to the right in the Cell Library settings box. The cell comprises a door frame, an open door, and the swing.

3. In the Active Cells section below the list box, click the Placement button.

The name of the selected cell is displayed to the right of the Placement button.

4. Close the Cell Library settings box or drag it out of the way.

Place a door cell in the lower partition1. From the Main tool bar, select the Place Active Cell tool.

The Cells tool box opens.

2. Tear off the Cell tool box.

3. Select the Place Active Cell tool.

In the Place Active Cell tool settings box, DR30RH is the active cell.

As you move the pointer about the screen, the cell is dynamically displayed. The cells origin, the point used to position the cell in the design, is at the pointer.



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4. Use the Zoom In view control to display a closely magnified view of the lower left corner of the new partition multi-line in view window 3.

5. Reset to deselect the view control.

6. Snap a tentative point to the inside corner of the multi-line.

Large cross hairs display at the corner and the cell is displayed with its origin there. Do not accept the tentative point; it is for reference.

7. Reopen the AccuDraw window (if necessary), by selecting the Start AccuDraw tool in the Primary tool bar.

8. Press the key to locate the drawing plane origin at the tentative point location.

9. In the AccuDraw windows Distance field, key in 0:6.

10. Position the cell origin on the drawing plane x-axis.

11. Enter the data point.

12. Reset.

The door cell is placed at an offset of six inches (12 foot) to the right.

Cut out the door opening1. In the Multi-line Joints tool box, select the Cut All Component

Lines tool.

2. In the Status bar, change Snap mode to Intersection.

Placing the door cellin steps 6 through 11.



3. In view window 3, snap a tentative point to the door frames left side, up from the intersection.

4. Snap a tentative point to the multi-line segment (between the sides of the door).

5. Enter a data point to accept.

The multi-line is cut at the left edge of the door frame, and the cut displays dynamically along the multi-line to the x-axis position of the pointer.

6. If necessary, use the Zoom Out view control to include the entire door cell in view window 3.

7. Snap a tentative point to the right end of the door frame.

You will know that you have snapped to the door frame when the door frame highlights. If part of the multi-line highlights, try again.

8. Accept the tentative point to end the cut.

Once the action is complete, the Snap mode returns to Keypoint my default.

Snapping a tentative pointto the inside of the

door frame.

Snapping to the right doorframe to end the cutting

in steps 7 and 8.



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Begin placing the curtain wall (curved window and mullions)

1. From the Primary tool bars Active Line Style option menu, choose Custom.

The Line Styles settings box opens.

2. In the Line Styles settings box, double-click {curtain} (curtain wall).

3. From the Main tool box, select the Place Arc tool.

The prompt in the status bar is Identify First Arc Endpoint.

4. In the Tool settings box, set Method to Center.

5. Use the Zoom In view control to display a magnified view of the left end of the upper right orange exterior wall in view window 3.


7. Snap a tentative point where the vertical line at the end of the multi-line intersects the two lines of the shape at the end of the multi-line.

8. Accept the tentative point to place the first end of the arc.

A thin, dotted arc dynamically displays from the multi-line.

Place the center and endpoint of the curtain wall arc1. In the Key-in window, key in XY=7,9.

As you move the pointer about the screen, an arc and a second radius line are displayed.

2. Use the Zoom In view control to display a magnified view of the right end of the opposing exterior wall in view window 3.

Snapping and acceptinga tentative point in View 3

in steps 9 and 10.




4. Snap a tentative point where the vertical line at the end of the multi-line intersects the two lines of the shape at the end of the multi-line.

5. Accept the placement of the end of the arc.

6. Close view window 3.

The remodeled office should look like this:

In the cell library attached to this design file, there are cells that represent office furnishings. Now that you have completed this lesson, for more practice placing cells, select other cells as the Active Cell and place them in the office to furnish it.

Place furniture in the new office1. From the Settings menus, Level sub-menu, choose Display.

The Level Display settings box opens.

2. From the settings boxs Display menu, choose Level Names.

4

5

Snapping and acceptinga tentative point in View 3 in

steps 4 and 5.



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The settings box enlarges and displays controls for turning on and off the display of levels by name.

3. In the list box, select the level 54 FURNITURE.

In the Views column, the list box entry for the FURNITURE level indicates its elements are displayed in all views except view window 1.

4. Click the Active button.

This designates the FURNITURE level the Active Level. The Active Level is the level on which new elements are placed the level in this particular design on which it is logical to place furniture cells. Because the Active Level, by definition, is on (displayed) in all views, you can now see the elements on the FURNITURE level displayed in view window 1. Furniture is already laid out in the office to the left of the new partition.



5. From the Element menu, choose Cells to open the Cell Library settings box.

6. Browse through the cells in the cell library by selecting cell names in the list box.

7. When you find a piece of furniture to place in the office, click the Placement button while that cell is selected.

8. From the Main tool bar, select the Place Active Cell tool.

9. Position the cell in view window 1 and place it by entering a data point.

10. Repeat steps 6 through 9 until the office is furnished to your satisfaction.


6 Working With Reference Files

Working with a mechanical engineering design, you will use some of MicroStations more advanced features for drawing 2D designs.


Attaching, scaling, and moving a reference file (see page 6-2).

Referencing design changes (see page 6-5).


If you have trouble

If you have trouble when going through the lesson, doing one of the following usually helps:

Reset, by pressing the Reset button. This is most helpful when you have trouble using a tool.

Undo, by choosing Undo from the Edit menu. This is most helpful after you finish using a tool and realize youve made a mistake. Remember MicroStation lets you undo more than just the last operation.

Undo a change made with a view control by clicking on the View Previous tool from the View Control bar along the bottom of each view window. This is helpful if you use a view control to zoom or window an area and lose your bearings.

Attaching, scaling, and moving a reference file


Exercise: Attaching, scaling, and moving a reference fileThis exercise and the next involve reference files. Reference files are MicroStation design files that can be attached to (associated with) the active design and displayed for reference. As reference files, they cannot be modified. Members of a workgroup can attach each others design files as reference files to assure consistency in their work.

Attach bordera.dgn as a reference file to office.dgn1. Open the design file office.dgn in MicroStations

\Workspace\projects\tutorial\intro\dgn directory.

2. Use the Fit View view control to fit the entire design in view window 1.

3. From the File menu, choose Reference.

The Reference Files settings box opens.

4. From the Reference Files settings boxs Tools menu, choose Attach.

The Preview Reference dialog box opens.

5. In the Files list box, select bordera.dgn and click the OK button.

Another dialog box with bordera.dgn in its title bar opens.



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6. Key in border in the Logical Name field. (Specifying a logical name is essential if you are attaching the same reference file more than once to the active design file.

7. Key in architectural border in the Description field.

8. In the Saved Views list box, select the saved view Border.

In the Attachment Mode option menu, Saved View is automatically chosen.


The saved view containing a border is now attached to the pointer.

10. Enter a data point just above the exterior wall of the floor plan to position the center of the reference file view.

The saved view in bordera.dgn is attached for reference to the active design at a scale of 1:1. That is, something one master unit long in the reference file appears one master unit long in the active design file. At this scale, the border is too small to contain the office design.



View window 1 should look similar to this:

Scale the reference file bordera.dgn1. Use the Zoom Out view control to zoom out from the center

of the office design.

2. From the Reference Files settings boxs Tools menu, choose Scale.

The reference file bordera.dgn is already selected in the Reference Files settings box, so you are not prompted to identify a reference file.

The Scale Reference File dialog box opens.

3. In the left field, key in 8 and press .

As you move the pointer, a rectangle representing the scaled reference file saved view dynamically displays.

4. Position the rectangle around the office design.

Now eight master units in the active design file are the same length as one master unit in the reference file. The reference file appears eight times larger. However, the office design is not yet properly centered in the border.

Referencing design changes


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Move the reference file so that the design is centered in the border

1. From the Reference Files settings boxs Tools menu, choose Move.

2. Enter a data point in the middle of the border to serve as an origin (a handle) for moving the reference file.

As you move the pointer, a rectangle representing the reference file saved view is dynamically displayed.

3. Enter a data point in the middle of the office design to position the origin.

The reference file is moved the same distance and direction as the origin.

4. If you are not satisfied with the location of the border, repeat steps 1 through 3.

Exercise: Referencing design changesThis exercise is a simulation of real world design.

Think of yourself as a member of a team working on a building design project. Your system is networked with other systems, including personal computers and workstations, all running MicroStation.

You are responsible for drawing the piping.

Open your work file and attach a coworkers file1. Open the piping.dgn design file in MicroStations

\Workspace\projects\tutorials\intro\dgn directory.

The design is in 3D, but the 2D drawing principles you have learned are sufficient for you to complete the lesson with ease.

2. From the File menu, choose Reference.

The Reference Files settings box opens.

3. From the Reference Files settings boxs Tools menu, choose Attach.

4. Attach the pumproom.dgn design file coincidentally as a reference file. Key in pump as the logical name. Be sure Coincident is chosen from the Attachment Mode option menu.

Referencing design changes


5. Click on the OK button.

Note the revision balloon. The mechanical group has moved the left pum

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