Problem

How can I set up StormCAD (or one of the other OpenFlows | Hydraulics and Hydrology products listed above) to draw custom cells for manholes, catch basins, pipes, etc., instead of the ones used by default (square for catch basins and circles for manholes)?

Problem ID#: 86372

Solution

Full element symbol editing functionality is available through the use of custom cells inside MicroStation. All elements and graphical decorations (flow arrows, control indicators, etc.) are contained within a .CEL file. For example Stm.cel for StormCAD.

To do this open the stm.cel file that's in the install directory (C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\StormCAD8 for StormCAD) then from the File menu, pick Models.

From here, you can select each of the Hydraulics and Hydrology products' symbols and change them using normal MicroStation commands. For instance, if you wanted to change the symbol for the catch basin, select "catchbasin" from the list. The catch basin will display and you can create or import a new symbol to use (if 3D symbology is available, it will be prefaced by the product name, such "csd" for CivilStorm.

Once you have adjusted the symbol and save the .CEL file, it will be available for new DGN files. You will be able to lay out new elements, or import an existing drawing into the new DGN file. The new symbols will be used.

Here are alternative steps to edit the cell file and apply to existing elements:

1) Go to Element > Cells
2) Check "display all cells in path" and make sure "use shared cells" is unchecked.
3) Right click on the node type of interest and choose "open for editing. This will open the .cel file.
4) Edit the symbol at will and save when done. For example, use the hatch tool to shade the figure.
5) Navigate back to your model/drawing (for instance, using the Back arrow, located in the lower left of your screen by default) , click the cells toolbar and select the "replace cells" button - the replace cells tool appears.
6) Select "replace" for the method, "global" for the mode, check "use active cell" and click the magnifying glass
7) Make sure only "display all cells in path" is checked and double click on "junction" from the list. You can go ahead and place an element in the open area of your model to try out the new appearance.
8) Reopen the replace cells tool, click on one of your elements, click again to accept, and click "yes"
9) If you placed a test element in Step 7, go back and delete it.

Your nodes will change to the new cell that you defined in step 4. Any new projects will use this cell automatically, but for existing projects, you'll need to follow steps 5-8