How to copy elements from one .dgn to another

Hi All:

How do you copy elements from one .dgn file to another and keep the elements at the same x, y.

In AutoCad I would copy and paste at 0,0...but can't find the command in Microstation.

Thanks!

Parents
  • The DX= is to copy elements from a reference file into the active file at their same location using the regular copy tools - not the clipboard..

    If you wany to put something in the clipboard at a known origin:

    1. Make your selection set.
    2. Tentative Snap to the desired origin point but do not accept the tentative.
    3. On the Edit menu, select Copy.
    4. Open another file. Select Edit > Paste. The origin you snapped to is the insertion point of the copied selection - at this point, you either snap to a known point and accept it to paste it there, or if you know the coordinate, key in XY=nnnnnn,nnnnnn to issue a data point at that coordinate.

    Charles (Chuck) Rheault
    CADD Manager

    MDOT State Highway Administration

    • MicroStation user since IGDS, InRoads user since TDP.
    • AutoCAD, Land Desktop and Civil 3D, off and on since 1996
  • LOL!

    Seems this is not understood here....still waiting for step by step how to accomplish this from the clipboard...

    So simple in AutoCAD...seems Microstatioin is lacking in this (needs a command to copy and paste from clipboard using a base input)

     

    Thanks all but can't get anything to work and can't find any info in the help menu.

    In Civil I use this command all the time to transfer elements from one file to another, don't want to attach the file, just need a simple copy to clipboard and paste into another file at the same base point

    I spoke to support on this matter, and they did'nt know how to do it without a ref attach

  • Hey your post disappered...which doens't work for me anyways...

  • Which is why I deleted it.....I realized it wasn't working everytime, and was not a good option to share.

    --Kevin

  • From what you describe, it sounds as though you are looking to "reuse" data across designs. If that is the case, the workflow it sounds like you are describing (i.e. copying data from one file to the next to the next to the next... ad infinitum) basically results in "cloning" information, which is a data management nightmare (believe me, having been there many times, I have felt that pain all too often). The major downfall to doing that is that if one of the "things" that has been copied needs to be changed, then you have to go through an insane process of having to identify all the files/models that contain the cloned information and process each and every one of those independently.

    In MicroStation, that is avoidable because the "standard" way of reusing data across designs is through references (both for design data and "sheet" data). If you haven't yet, that is something you really should take a look at.

      

Reply
  • From what you describe, it sounds as though you are looking to "reuse" data across designs. If that is the case, the workflow it sounds like you are describing (i.e. copying data from one file to the next to the next to the next... ad infinitum) basically results in "cloning" information, which is a data management nightmare (believe me, having been there many times, I have felt that pain all too often). The major downfall to doing that is that if one of the "things" that has been copied needs to be changed, then you have to go through an insane process of having to identify all the files/models that contain the cloned information and process each and every one of those independently.

    In MicroStation, that is avoidable because the "standard" way of reusing data across designs is through references (both for design data and "sheet" data). If you haven't yet, that is something you really should take a look at.

      

Children
  • thanks for the reply but I understand refs

    what I need is a way to transfer elements from one file to another using the clipboard and have the elements come in the other file at the same absolute x,y as in the file that they were copied from

    I use refs all the time, but sometimes I have elements in one file that I want to transfer to another file

    the commands in AutoCAD are "copy with base point" and "paste with base point"

    so I just copy from 0,0 and paste with 0,0 so the elements are in the exact location as in the file I copied from

    it appears Microstation doesn' t have this command

    I just can't believe the only way to accomplish this is to attach and then detach the file

    I have tried the suggestions mentioned here...but they simply do not work for me

    I've called support about this and they told me they don't know how to do it without refs

    I can't find the info in the help menu

    Are there any other places I could try for help?

  • thermal:

    what I need is a way to transfer elements from one file to another using the clipboard and have the elements come in the other file at the same absolute x,y as in the file that they were copied from

    Please describe the exact reason why you want to do just this (and why taking advantage of references -- thus minimizing data redundancy, etc. -- will not provide what you are looking for). TIA

      

  • LOL!  thanks again for your reply!

    Because I want to move elements from one file to another....

    Like I said...I fully understand refs!

  • Glad you can laugh, but I am being very serious. Please explain why (exactly) you want to copy and not reference information from one file to the next to the next to the next to the next to the next... etc.

      

  • To Expand on the process Cadd Cop laid out..

    1. Select the element or elements you want to copy

    2. Tentitive snap at to the insertion location.. (In theory you could locate a point at the x 0, y 0 location and snap to this..)

    The X,Y location tentative snapped to will now appear in the message center at the bottom of the screen.

    3. Click Edit > Copy 

    4. Edit > Paste - Make Accudraw active in the file being pasted to (use your space bar to toggle through accudraw you will want accudraw to be set to XY, 2D file or XYZ 3 D file)...enter the X Y in accudraw, this will place the insertion point exactly where you want it. DP to locate.

     

    Mike Barkasi

    Bentley Professional Services

     

    Michael Barkasi

    Application Engineer 

    Reality Modeling