Applies To
	Product(s):	MicroStation TriForma
	Version(s):	All
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	N/A
	Subarea:	N/A
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

What is MicroStation TriForma?

MicroStation TriForma is an easy-to-use high-performance 3D architectural modeling and documentation application that offers an advanced, integrated approach to building design and drawing production. 

How do I get the dialog box containing part choices to display when placing a form? How do I set up MicroStation TriForma for the tutorial?

  For Versions 5.5 and earlier: Choose Applications > TriForma > Configuration and select the variable TFDIR. Assuming you're using a default installation, edit the value \TRIFORMA\ by appending either \TUTORIAL\ENGLISH\ or \TUTORIAL\METRIC\. For Example: C:\TRIFORMA\TUTORIAL\ENGLISH\. Click OK when done.

For Versions 5.7+: From the MicroStation Manager, chose either Tutor_e (English units tutorial) or Tutor_m (metric units tutorial).

What are the *.TFB files that are created with the same name as my model file? Do I need them? Can I stop MicroStation TriForma from creating them?

The .TFB file is automatically created when you open a new MicroStation TriForma file. It is a file used to cache MicroStation TriForma parasolid information so that MicroStation TriForma does not need to recalculate parasolid information each time a solid is manipulated; it can reuse the information already stored in the *.TFB file. You can delete these files after you close your design files; it will not affect the file. However, a new file will be created every time you open your design file. If you move your files to another directory you do NOT have to move the .TFB files.

If you delete these files, MicroStation TriForma will need to recalculate the parasolid information the next time you manipulate each solid.

You can't prevent MicroStation TriForma from creating these files, but you can stop it from writing to them (the file will still be created). To do this, define the variable TF_NOFILLCACHE=1. Choose Workspace > Configuration and click the New Button. In the New Variable field type TF_NOFILLCACHE and in the New Value field enter 1.

What is the *.HST file that MicroStation TriForma is creating?

The *.HST file is created after you process a section in a model. This file stores information concerning any changes you make to your design file so that MicroStation TriForma can process the partial updates to your design file. If you delete this file the only thing you lose is the ability to process a partial update to your section. Once deleted, another file will not be created until you process a new section. If you want to clean out these files and maintain your ability for a partial update, there is a key-in that will clear out the *.HST file contents (TFPURGE HISTORY), but will not delete it.

How do I adjust my Auto Dimension text size?

Choose Applications > TriForma > Preferences. Adjust Auto Dimensions font size and click OK. When you regenerate your section file, the dimensions will respect the new setting.

How do I extrude a B-spline curve to a form?

Use the MicroStation Create Chain tool and identify the B-spline curve. This converts the B-spline curve to a complex chain. Next, use the TriForma Extrude Linear Element To Form tool to extrude the complex chain to a form.

How do I specify which levels are processed in my model to generate my section documents? What is the group file (*.Gxx) and how do I use it?

 

1. Use the Section Manager tool to add a section definition.
2. Now highlight the Files category. Turn on Process Reference Files (if you have already created a group file and you wish to edit it, click the Open button). This will open the Create Group File dialog box.
3. Complete the file extension and click OK. Note: The group file must have the same name as the model file and the extension must begin with a "g." You will now notice that TriForma opens the group file.
4. Click the Reference Files button. This opens up the Reference File dialog box (as if you had selected File > Reference) for the group file.
5. From the menu choose Settings > Level Manager. This opens the Levels Map. Highlight your model file in the file list. Using the Reference Level Map, with the View set to 1, turn on or off the levels you want to section from your model file. Click Apply. Repeat this step for each of the reference files. Notice that this will affect the levels displayed in View 1 of the group file.
6. In the Section Cut Category of the Section Manager, set the Levels to Process option to View 1. This tells TriForma to use View 1 from the group file to determine which levels are to be processed for the Section Cut
7. Repeat Step 5 and 6 for both the Front and Rear View if you wish to calculate these, selecting a different view for each if you want the levels processed to be different. Be sure to turn on the Process option for each of the views.
8. Click the Open Master button to return to your model file.

Because you have the option of assigning different views in the group file to different portions of the Section Document (Section, Forward View, Reflected View) you can have different levels processed for each. So you would follow steps 5 and 6 for each view. Or you can set them all to the same view to process the same levels for each of the 2D document portions.

So basically you are using a group file to set up a visual display of the levels that you wish to have processed when you create your Section.

• The group file is a separate design file to which your model file and its reference files are attached.
• If you create a group file and later detach a reference file from your model, it is still attached to your group file and will be processed in the section unless you detach it (or turn the Display off in the File > Reference Settings box) from the group file.

Why do I get the error message "One (1) or more configuration variables are not defined properly" after selecting a design file when starting up MicroStation TriForma? The error message displays along with the Edit TriForma Configuration Variables dialog box allowing you to change the designated configuration variable(s).

This message indicates that MicroStation TriForma cannot find something that a variable is pointing to. This would happen if one of the TriForma subdirectories had been moved or deleted, for example. Unless you remember changing something about TriForma (use the Edit Configuration dialog box that is automatically displayed to change it back), your best option is to contact Support to help you reset your variables to the appropriate locations.

In MicroStation TriForma for MicroStation/J, you may recieve this message if you have not used the TriForma icon to start the program. This icon calls a specific configuration file that sets variables necessary for TriForma to run. If you have not used the icon, the variables are not processed and this message will appear. Close the application, and restart TriForma using the icon that was created when you installed TriForma.

How do I input feet and inches into the Divide By Distance Increment field in the Parametric Frame Builder? How do I input feet and inches for the Origin Offset of window inputs in the Parametric Frame Builder where it says to Add Frame > origin x:, y:, z:?

Brackets must enclose the value. For example, [3:6] would represent the value 3 feet 6 inches.

Once I have placed a Parametric Frame, how can I edit it to change it?

To edit a frame, Use the TriForma Info tool and select the frame. Highlight the Features category and click the Edit Frame button. This will call up the Parametric Frame Builder and load the commands used to construct the selected frame. Make the changes you wish and then use the Apply button to update the frame placed in the design file. If you have placed the Frame as a Shared Cell, you will have the option to update all instances of the cell, or just the particular one you selected.

When I place a Parametric Frame in Linear Form, the frame is not placed in the wall, it is offset by some distance. Why?

There are several settings within the Parametric Frame Builder that need to be set. Under the Category Set Thickness set the following values to 0.

• Wall Interior
• Wall Cavity
• Frame Depth
• Horizontal Recess
• Vertical Recess
• Horizontal Tolerance
• Vertical Tolerance

How do I ensure that forms are extruded in the proper direction when placing forms in the isometric view?

MicroStation TriForma will extrude the linear forms in the Z direction for the active rotation of AccuDraw. Before extruding, be sure to rotate AccuDraw so that the +Z axis is in the direction that you wish the forms to extrude. Or set the User Direction in the Offset Direction dialog box. This will define the direction of extrusion for the forms being created. To set the user direction, choose Application > TriForma > Offset/Direction. The "Z" value must be set to something other than zero.

How do I move, copy, or delete forms that have frames? How do I move, copy, or delete walls that contain doors/windows?

Be sure to turn on Constructions by choosing Settings > View Attributes before using the Element Selection tool. If Constructions is not toggled on, the doors/windows will not be part of the selection set and therefore will not move, etc. with the walls.

When rendering my MicroStation TriForma models, the glass in my Parametric frames is not transparent. Why?

This may be because the perforators which cut the form when the frame is placed are rendering. Choose Settings > View Attributes > Constructions. This should be Off. If you want Constructions on, be sure when creating your Parametric Frame that you send the perforators to a level that will be turned off when rendering. Choose Parametric Frame Builder > Set Symbology > Select Interior and Exterior Perforators and set the level.

How do I export MicroStation TriForma models to DWG or DXF?

You should use the same methods normally used to export a DGN file with the addition of creating a frozen layer called CONSTRUCTION_CLASS. The information that is considered construction class in MicroStation TriForma is placed on this layer.

In addition, be sure to choose the proper source view number on export as AutoCAD has no level symbology per view. If you use default (none) all levels will be translated.

To successfully export TriForma files to DXF do the following (be sure you are in a copy of the design file):

• Edit > Select All
• Key in: TFRemove (This will remove all the TriForma "intelligence" from the file - this information will not translate)
• File > Compress
• Edit > Select All
• Drop Compound Cells
• File > Compress
• Select By Attributes - Cells, Shared Cells
• Drop Complex and Drop Shared cells to geometry.
• File > Compress
• Edit > Select all
• Edit > Ungroup

How do I import DWG or DXF files into MicroStation TriForma?

The same methods used to normally import a DGN file are used. Be sure Frozen Layers is turned on when importing and check that the level called Frozen Layers is turned on in the MicroStation file.

I want to have my report in Excel format, however, the "Excel File" option is grayed out under the Quantify > Layout > Quantify Takeoff option box. What do I need to do?

The variable TFDIR_XLS needs to point to the directory that contains the TriForma spreadsheet template (triforma.xls). By default this file is stored in the ...Bentley/Workspace/TriForma/Seed/ directory.

See Also

Product TechNotes and FAQs

Building Product TechNotes And FAQs

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

Bentley LEARN Server

Comments or Corrections?

Bentley's Technical Support Group requests that you please confine any comments you have on this Wiki entry to this "Comments or Corrections?" section. THANK YOU!