DWG Annotation Scale - Need Workmode to Emulate True DWG Methodology

In AutoCAD, most people are now using three variables with Annotation scale to control text , annotative blocks and linetypes.

  • MSTLSCALE
  • PSLTSCALE
  • LTSCALE

Setting all 3 of these to 1 allows annotation scale to control linetypes with text and blocks. We can set our annotation scale in modelspace to match a plotting scale and see WYSIWYG for these things and then when we go to a layout, we can plot at 1:1 with a scaled viewport and assign an annotation scale to the viewport.

In DWG workmode, I was forced to set the LTSCALE in the layout to 12/<annotation scale> to get the linstyles to look correct. And I could not do this if I was in Read Only mode - which in some cases, I am forced to do to utilize object enablers.

For true DWG interoperability, MicroStation needs to be able to emulate this methodology.

I realize that Annotation scale is very different between the two platforms - but it is such a key component of both, that the ability to use either methodology is absolutely essential to claim true interoperability.

If implemented, the annotative nature of ARX Objects must also be supported and function as they do in AutoCAD and its verticals.

Parents
  • LSTSCALE and PSLTSCALE are currently supported in MicroStation.  MSLTSCALE shall be supported in a future major release, but it only impacts linestyle scale in Default model (aka modelspace).  For viewports to work, a reference attachment needs to have its own annotation scale, as opposed to getting annotation scale from the source model or active model as it currently does.  Beside the obvious need for DWG, do you (or other folks reading this thread) see practical benefits of making reference files to have annotation scales over using model's annotation scale as a general feature?



  • In non-DWG files, much of our work is client driven and they have not fully embraced Annotation Scale. So I am usually toggling off that reference setting, if that is what you are talking about.

    As for DWG workmode, I am not sure I fully understand what you are asking.


    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
  • If we were to add a viewport based annotation scale, it will have to be a new feature available for general use, not just for DWG workmode.  This is because after you saved a DWG file to DGN, you will want the elements displayed the same and probably may also need to edit the annotation scale of the viewports.  So this will have to be a new feature of MicroStation, and the user interface will be different as well.  If using viewport to control annotation scale is more useful than using model's annotation scale, perhaps we should add this new feature and change the interface.  But if most users prefer current way of using model annotation scale over the proposed way of using viewport annotation scale, we need further evaluation before making a change.  In short, user feedback on how annotation scale should work on reference attachments is important for us.



  • I have worked at two offices that used AutoCAD. One was still in 2000 when I left, so annotation scale was not available. But at that office, we scaled the sheet layouts up to the plotting scale, just like we did in MicroStation. This workflow was in place prior to my joining the firm, so I did not create it. And I was only the CADD Manager for the Bentley side of things. The IT manager was also the CADD Manager for the Autodesk side.

    But where I am now, we plot 1:1 and scale the viewports. This allows multiple scales to appear on one sheet and have the linestyles and text all appear to be scaled alike.

    So we would need to be able to emulate that in AutoCAD.

    A few versions ago, I plotted DWG files with the Print Organizer wile someone else plotted from AutoCAD and to Bentley's credit, the output was identical. If this would not be possible under the current implementation, then I would have to say without a doubt, we need to be able to control these scale settings in MicroStation in a manner identical to AutoCAD.


    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
  • Any word on True DWG Workmode  Annotation Scale? With Civil 3D objects, everything reacts to the annotation scale. If I open a file in MicroStation, I need to not only see whet the current modelspace annotation scale is, but to be able to change it and to have AEC objects update too. And if some text or block is annotative, have it honor its AutoCAD setting.


    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
  • Modelspace annotation scales will be supported in next release of MicroStation, but layout annotation scales will not.  Do you have a typical C3D file that you may share with us so we can get an idea what you are really looking for?  You can post it here or send it directly to me(don.fu@bentley.com).



  • I will have to see what 2013 projects we have that are not considered "sensitive" that we can share DWG's without issue. We have really only recently begun full production in 2013, while we have been working towards this for some time. We still have many projects that must remain in 2009 due to Land Desktop.


    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
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