Last revised: April 7, 2009
The download for this utility can be found here.
The CellTool application provides some very useful extensions to MicroStation’s standard cell placement tools. CellTool gives you the ability to:
For each of these tools a series of standard datafields are used to control their operation.
Place CellTool.ma and CellTool.dll in the ..\MicroStation\mdlapps\ folder.
..\MicroStation\mdlapps\
Key in: MDL LOAD CELLTOOL from the Key-in Browser
MDL LOAD CELLTOOL
or
from Utilities > MDL Applications > Browse, select CellTool
This loads the MDL application containing the tools of CellTool. Although you can key in the individual names of the tools, most users will find it easier to work with CellTool's user interface.
Place Cell and Rotate - The simplest of the CellTools, Place Cell and Rotate mimics the standard Place Cell tool with one notable difference. After placing the active cell, this tool puts the cell into an interactive rotation or spin mode around the cell’s origin.
To place a cell and rotate it:
Reset to place the cell at the Active Angle.
Place Cell On and Rotate - Similar in function to the previous tool, the Place Cell On and Rotate tool utilizes an existing element for locating the origin point and initial angle of the selected cell.
To place a cell on an element and rotate it:
Reset to place the cell at the Active Angle with respect to the existing element.
Place Cell On - This tool works in a similar fashion as Place Cell On and Rotate with one very important difference. When the cell is placed on the selected element, the original element is partially deleted to remove that portion obscured by the cell. This can result in two or more new elements replacing the original element.
To place a cell on an element with trim:
Place Cell Along - Acting like a tape measure, the Place Cell Along will place cells at a set distance along the entire length of a selected element. In addition to placing the active cell on the selected element, this tool can be configured to place the cell offset from the centerline of the element. This is accomplished with the Offset tool setting.
To repeatedly place a cell a set distance along an element:
NOTE: This offset is calculated from the normal direction of the chosen element (from the first endpoint entered). This direction is determined by the order in which the element’s coordinates were placed. If your offset appears on the wrong side of the element, select the Undo command and try a negative offset value.
Please post any questions or comments regarding this utility in the Bentley Library Forum.
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