Ch.11: Composing Designs and Sheets

Eduardo Mendonca — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 22:07:49 GMT

Current Revision posted to Onboarding and Adoption Wiki by Eduardo Mendonca on 8/5/2022 10:07:49 PM

MicroStation Basics for New Users - Chapter 11: Composing Designs and Sheets

As your design progresses, you will want to leverage other files. A DGN file contains one or more models. A reference is a model that is attached to and displayed along with the active model. References can be used for various purposes. For example, you can attach a map or floor plan to use as a background for your design. Or you can use references to attach multiple designs and details to a print sheet, creating a print composition.

1 Attach a Reference

You can reference models from the active DGN file or from other DGN files. You can also attach DWG, SHP, IFC and other files as references. After watching this video you will be able to leverage other files as references in MicroStation.

https://youtu.be/DHNcPP4yl54

https://youtu.be/QE9q7tbPZhQ

2 Control the Display of References

MicroStation can control the display of references several ways. Files can be displayed or not, as well as the levels/layers within those files turned on or off, and references can be masked and clipped. After watching this video you will be able to adjust the display of reference files.

3 Apply Transparency and Priority to a Reference

When a reference contains filled shapes, you can apply transparency or change display priority to ensure that the elements in the other models remain visible. After watching this video you will be able to apply transparency and priority to reference files to improve the visibility of your data.

https://youtu.be/4a-Tr2DwU90

https://youtu.be/bcuCPxmHxzI

4 Work with Nested References

A nested reference is a reference that is attached to a reference file. When you attach a reference, you can control how nested references are handled, or you can decide not to attach any nested references at all. After watching this video you will be able to attach references with no nesting, set nesting depth, and understand the nesting hierarchy.

5 Exchange to or Activate a Reference

As a rule, references are only read only. You cannot change elements in a referenced model, making changes only to the active model. There are two ways to easily switch between the active model and a referenced model. After watching this video you will be able to use both reference Activate and Exchange, and understand their differences and when to use them.

https://youtu.be/9nweX_WCTrU

Besides standard reference files, MicroStation also allows for the attachment of raster files as references. Using Raster Manager you can attach raster images of various formats, from monochrome to full color.

https://youtu.be/7vuuQW9GGx4

6 Attach a Raster Image

You can modify the location, display order, and various other settings of previously attached raster image files. After watching this video you will be able to attach raster files as references and adjust their display.

When working with multiple raster attachments that have overlapping areas, you may need to set the order in which they display.

7 Control the Display Order of Raster Images and Design Elements

After watching this video you will be able to control the display order of raster images by changing their plane or, when they are in the Design plane, by changing their display priority.

https://youtu.be/VJQIgC_eJHE

https://youtu.be/xPuU6v78ydg

8 Attach a PDF Document

Another type of file that can be attached as a raster reference is an Adobe PDF file. You can attach a PDF file in the same way you attach any other raster image. After watching this you will be able to attach an Adobe PDF as a reference and adjust its attachment settings including displaying specific layers.

9 Create a Sheet Model with a Border

For sheet creation in a plan set, MicroStation offers numerous types of models to assist in plans production. After watching this video you will understand how to create a sheet model and have a border attached.

https://youtu.be/16WU4f0L5nw

https://youtu.be/HgrOKJsoCmg

10 Create a Print Composition

Part of the plans production process is to create a sheet model that has numerous reference files and leveraging already created data. After watching this video you will be able use a sheet model and attach multiple design models with different scales to create a print.

Parent topic: New Users