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
  • If you've ever tried to copy elements from an XREF in AutoCAD, you might think the process in MicroStation is fraught with peril, but MicroStation's Reference Files are far more flexible and friendly than AutoCAD.

    The idea of attaching a reference file to copy a few elements from another file seems very foreign to an AutoCAD user, but long before either of these packages supported the Windows Clipboard, that was the only way to do this. In AutoCAD, you would have to WBLOCK out the elements and INSERT and EXPLODE to accomplish the same thing. And that left the DWG sitting somewhere on your drive.

    With the MicroStation workflow, the preocess was simple and fast. And everyone used the XY, DX, DL keyins all of the time, so they were like second nature.

    This process also allowed you to fix global origin or datum shifts. You could use the move reference command to get the reference file into the proper datum and coordinates and then copy or merge the data into the active file. All you needed was one point of commonality in both files to line up and if the master units were identical, set a scale of 1:1 and even adjust for working units discrepancies.

    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
Reply
  • If you've ever tried to copy elements from an XREF in AutoCAD, you might think the process in MicroStation is fraught with peril, but MicroStation's Reference Files are far more flexible and friendly than AutoCAD.

    The idea of attaching a reference file to copy a few elements from another file seems very foreign to an AutoCAD user, but long before either of these packages supported the Windows Clipboard, that was the only way to do this. In AutoCAD, you would have to WBLOCK out the elements and INSERT and EXPLODE to accomplish the same thing. And that left the DWG sitting somewhere on your drive.

    With the MicroStation workflow, the preocess was simple and fast. And everyone used the XY, DX, DL keyins all of the time, so they were like second nature.

    This process also allowed you to fix global origin or datum shifts. You could use the move reference command to get the reference file into the proper datum and coordinates and then copy or merge the data into the active file. All you needed was one point of commonality in both files to line up and if the master units were identical, set a scale of 1:1 and even adjust for working units discrepancies.

    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
Children
  • This works for me...

    1. Select elements to copy
    2. Tentative snap at 0,0 or base point
    3. Copy
    4. Paste
    5. DP to 0,0 or base point
  • OK this is how I do it without using the clipboard but using a fence to select the data.
    1. Reference the source file (the one that contains the data) into the destination file.
    2. Turn on/off the levels that contain the data I want in the source file.
    3. Use the fence icon to place a fence around the data I wish to copy (note the inside/overlap/etc options on the fence menu).
    4. Use the copy icon and select a point anywhere on the dgn to define the origin.
    5. In the key-in window type dx=0 and this will then place the data into the destination file.
    As ever there are many ways of achieving the same objective.
    Good luck
    Mike
  • I went through this discussion almost 2 yrs ago. Trying to use the clip board is cumbersome in ustn for the very reason that you have to create a reference snap element at 0,0. The easiest way to do it is via XREF and then merge or select and copy, as has been mentioned. It really is no more work than opening the source file, selecting and copying to the clip board. There are certain advantages to the reference approach anyway such as you don't have to have 2 drawing sessions open at once and you also get the elements transformed to suit your drawing units and coordinate system, something you can't do with the clip board.

    The main advantage to the clip board is when you need to paste the clip board data into several model files or layouts i.e. "cloning" as Phil pointed out. Sometimes we do need to do that Phil, typically when adding some type of sheet text common to multiple layouts and needing to position it independently. Of course that could be done with a reference too but it having reference files for numerous pieces of text like that can result in a lot of references.

    Neil Wilson (aka Neilw)

    Power Civil v8i 08.11.07.245

    AutoCAD Civil 3D 2018

  • Fully understand the ref way, this thread is for the none ref way.
  • caddcop:

    The idea of attaching a reference file to copy a few elements from another file seems very foreign to an AutoCAD user, but long before either of these packages supported the Windows Clipboard, that was the only way to do this. In AutoCAD, you would have to WBLOCK out the elements and INSERT and EXPLODE to accomplish the same thing. And that left the DWG sitting somewhere on your drive..

    yes I remember when the windows clipboard command became available in AutoCAD, and it was just as you describe before the command was available