How to create new tools?

Former Member
Former Member

[UPDATE]

I'm using MicroStation V8i (SELECT series 3) and I want to make some changes to a "User-defined" toolbox created many years ago with another version.

This toolbox sets active a pre-established layer, linking everything I draw to a specific layer with specific parameters. Let's say we have the layer "Corte" associated to the first tool of this toolbox. If I select this tool, it then starts to place a line on "Corte" layer, with same colour and width established to that layer. This Toolbox is called "linhas".

For that to happen, a DGN file (named "niveis") was created in order to have those layers information, although it's not possible to draw in this file. It seems like it's used as a seed file further on, as fas as I know. This file is located in Workspace > Standards > Seed

I now basically just want to update some of their colours, as well as adding a new tool for a new layer, and for that I need to edit the original Toolbox setup. I've created a layer called "TESTE", which I want to be yellow. I want to add a tool that automatically associates what I draw to that layer.

When I open the "Customize" window, this toolbox appears on the "Application Tools > MicroStation" rather than "User Tools". I've digged a lot in this and other forums, and they all suggest that new toolboxes should be created in User Tools with DGNLIB files.

  

The next image shows what it looks when I reach the toolbox "linhas". It looks nothing but editable.

I've searched in every MIcrostation's data folder, and none of them has any file with this toolbox's name. I need some help locating this file so I can edit it.

My conclusion is that it was made right down the code. I need to reach the right file so I can edit it. I'm possibly looking for a .RSC or .MA file, so I can edit using MDL tools.

Another possible scenario is that, since it was created many years ago in an older version of Microstation, it may have been created in "User Tools" as a DGNLIB, and when it migrated to newer versions, it then went to Application Tools.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

  • I'd suggest this: open the customize dialog again. Go to it's file Menu.  It should list all files that are currently configured and loaded. Enter the files in the list. The customize dialog will stay open. In the tools tab on the lefthand side the currently opened file will be highlighted in blue (not grey like other dgnlibs) as 'user tools', and somewhere there you should find your toolbox by expanding the structure via +

    HTH

  • To help you remotely on this very individual issue is rather hard. Maybe you should provide a screenshot of the customize dialog. My guess is that the tools are not defined in the dgnlib, but are MDL code which provides a KeyIn, and the toolbox just parses that KeyIn. If that is the case you'll have to find the .ma which loads the commands. Maybe unload some ma's via mdl application dialog and see which one is the right one. If the KeyIn in the dgnlib is preceded by a [ ], then the ma is the on within the brackets.

  • I think its  just  keyins  with icons associated tool pallet .. it may be a dgnlib but you need to click on more items like the menu bar and some of the others to see the keyins...a dgn lib would hold the level names just as well as a seed file, but the keyin lv=corte will create the level so no need for seed or dgnlib for those things .. pretty hard to be a detective  without sitting at your pc..

    why not  run a macro recorder and play with the tools and see what gets tracked?

    I've forgotten prev8i how to create a tool pallet with icons that just  run set keyins... but I'm sure someone will chime in or a search would find the  process...

    Lorys

    Started msnt work 1990 - Retired  Nov 2022 ( oh boy am I old )

    But was long time user V8iss10 (8.11.09.919) dabbler CE  update 16 (10.16.00.80) 

    MicroStation user since 1990 Melbourne Australia.
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  • I've updated the thread with some screenshots.

    Ok, now it's a bit clearer. When your toolbox is displayed under MicroStation together with standard toolboxes, it's probably defined using old "pre-XM" customization. In such case it's stored in rsc file, named probably something like .m01 or .r01. It cannot be said what the file(s) location is, because it depends on your workspace configuration, but it will somewhere in your workspace.

    I recommend to read this wiki article about customization migration.

    After the toolbox will be converted to dgnlib, it will be possible to modify it using standard V8i customization tools.

    With regards,

      Jan

    Answer Verified By: Former Member 

  • This looks sort of like Element Templates to me. With an Element Template you can define the parameters like your current tools seem to do. Look up Working with Element Templates in the help file. You can create a .dgnlib to make them available across all files. 

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