Customizing tools and tool boxes in MicroStation V8i


 Product:MicroStation
 Version:08.11.07.443
 Environment:N\A
 Area:UI Customization
 Subarea:Tools

Steps to Accomplish

Creating a Customized Tool Box with customized Tools

1.Create a DGN library, used to store the customized tool boxes.
-In my example I will call it “NNSA.dgnlib”

A DGN library, sometimes referred to as a DGNLib, contains data that is shared throughout files and among users. These shared resources consist of data that you define and name, which are used as standards by members of a workgroup.
The shared resources in a DGN library are created using MicroStation tools, the same way they are created in a DGN file.
To create a DGNlib you simply need to create a DGN, make all the modifications you need and then Save it as a .dgnlib (Save as type: *.dgnlib).

2.Save “NNSA.dgnlib” in the folder specified by the Configurations Variable MS_DGNLIBLIST. The Configuration Variable MS_DGNLIBLIST specifies the list of DGN libraries that are available for use. After DGN libraries are created, you need to set the configuration variable MS_DGNLIBLIST to point to the libraries in order to use them.

As you can see in my example I have chosen to place my *.dgnlib in the “Default folder”

 

3.Open the *.dgnlib > Go to Workspace > Customize

4.Make sure that your *.dgnlib is available under “Users Tools”. (If this is not the case check that the dgnlib is placed in the correct folder) or Go to File > <configured DGN libraries>

5.In the Customize dialog box. Click on your *.dgnlib > Click on “New Tool Box” > Name Tool Box (in my example I called it “Test”) > Click on “New Tool” > Name Tool (in my example I called it “Test Tool”)

6.Now it is time to define the Tool it´s settings. Go to Command Data :

A.Key-in > enter the Key-in for the Tool (Keep in mind that you can combine key-ins to obtain the tool you want)

B.Balloon Text (Is the text shown when you hover over the Tool box)

7.If you would like the tool to have a special Icon it is possible to import your own.
A.Go to Icons > Click on “Import Icon´s” > Choose the source 
B.For example “Import Bitmaps” > From the Generate drop-down menu, select the icon sizes that you want to import > Click the magnifying glass icon > The Select Image File dialog open > Navigate to the file that you want to use and click Open > Click OK

8.Now go back to Tools > Click on your new Tool > Go to General Settings > Click on Icon > Click on the button (the Define Icon for Tool dialog pops-up) > Set “Look for Icons in”  to source of the Icon you imported in step 7 > If Icon is not on the list click on “Browse” or click on the Icon on the list > Click OK

9.Close the customize dialog box > Go to Tools > Tool Boxes > Locate your customized tool box on the list > Enable the Tool Box > The tool box should now appear on the screen and ready to use.

Copying existing tools to a customized Tool Box

1.Create a new .DGN and save it as .DGNLIB (to create a dgn Library). Open the newly created DGNLIB and click on WorkSpace>Configuration. Look for the variable MS_GUIDGNLIBLIST and make sure it points to the location of your DGNLIB or insert your dgnlib file within the correct directory. Save changes and Exit MicroStation completely.


2.Open MicroStation and click on WorkSpace>Customize. Right-click on the DGNLIb file you have previously created that should display under User Tools and select “New Tool Box”


3.Search within “Application Tools”>”MicroStation” the tools you would like to copy to your new Tool Box, select them and click on Copy.


4.Go back on the menu that contains your .dgnlib file, select your newly created Tool Box, right-click on it and select “Paste”


5.If you would like to add this new Tool Box to the Tasks of the Interface, you will simply need to select your Tool Box, right-click on it and select Copy. You will then need to Paste it on the dgnlib file within the Tab called “Tasks”.


Your Tool Boxes should now display in the Tasks bar


You will need to do the same steps if you would like to do the same on other menus other than Tasks.

See Also

Creating Tool Icons

Other language sources

 Original Author:Alessandra Fugazzi