Clip Mask

To clarify - you have a reference attachment. You would like to mask (hide) part of the attachment, but in the middle of the masked portion, you would like a "window" to show a portion of the reference?

I don't think that can be done. I've never found a way to do it. Whenever I've needed that, I either do some VERY creative shapes for my mask fence, or I just create a secondary copy of the attachment, clipped to just that part I need to show within the mask. I have never found a way to punch a hole in the mask.

Opps I was wrong.  Looked back at the file this morning and the clipping did not happened as I thought.  Guess I will have to be "VERY" creative.

Thanks for replying too.

if clip mask will not do what you need maybe you could possibly explain in more detail what you are looking to do and an alternate workflow might be able to be found.

I need to clip a reference file, with areas outside and inside that remain.  The image shows the area to clip in a blue outline, with X's for the inside areas to remain.

Create a filled shape using the background color over anything you want to clip out. You can use Priority settings on levels, reference files or elements in a 2d file to put the filled shape on top of everything. In a 3d file you will need to adjust the elevation of the filled shape to be above anything to be clipped.

Create a filled shape using the background color over anything you want to clip out. You can use Priority settings on levels, reference files or elements in a 2d file to put the filled shape on top of everything. In a 3d file you will need to adjust the elevation of the filled shape to be above anything to be clipped.

Great idea.  Thank you.  I might learn MicroStation yet with help.

The colored shapes above are reference to a sheet model. I then placed the rectangle and the circle in the sheet model. Using the Create Region tool I used the following settings.

I think this may give you what you desire.

thats just the way I do this stuff all the time... Eg. dont want to show existing contours crossing over into the proposed road design...and make it hard to see the proposed road design...but want a feel for the lay of the surrounding land ...

Hi John Frampton.

I think for the sample poster showed, then  that is wrong tool it should be the second button from the left locate internal shapes ( ie make holes)

the one you selected seems to be create alternating shapes.... holes inside holes... never found a good use for that one...

Hi Lorys,

Gotcha, the buttons I used (posted) created the image I posted. I think the button selection in the posted image would provide them the results they desire, if not  the point is that he can get there by using a different method other than Clip mask for a reference. At least now the user know where to hunt and try.