how to create holes within a "hatch/pattern/flood/etc"

Hi Jeffrey,

as Rod Wing mentioned, it's hard to guess the best approach from small image, without knowing how the model is structured. But as MaryB wrote, the flood option, available in hatching and patterning tools, allows to recognize interior shapes.

But I have small problem with the picture you provided: You are asking about hatching / patterning, but the shape on your picture seems to be filled, not hatched. Or you use "old AutoCAD style" how to fill polygons using hatching?

With regards,

  Jan

Thank you so much everyone for your help and support, and I apologize for the poor example. I try to create a couple examples using SnagIt, but I have to figure out how to size the window to it doesn't appears too large.

I was able to create what I wanted using MaryB and Rod Wing method, and I just have to identify which way is best for what I am trying to do.

I would like to be able to draw complete shapes, and by using the "Bring to Front" function stack shapes on top of each other, and hiding what may be behind it; thus way I can make changes to a drawing without having to redraw anything if possible. I am able to do it in AutoCAD using a "Draw Order Layer" function, but I believe the version I am using of Bentley is not as flexible as newer versions may be.

I may have to completely change my approach to achieve what I am trying to do, and I certainly welcome any advice anyone is willing to share.

Thank you all again for your time, and wish you a great day

Stay healthy 

Thank you so much everyone for your help and support, and I apologize for the poor example. I try to create a couple examples using SnagIt, but I have to figure out how to size the window to it doesn't appears too large.

I was able to create what I wanted using MaryB and Rod Wing method, and I just have to identify which way is best for what I am trying to do.

I would like to be able to draw complete shapes, and by using the "Bring to Front" function stack shapes on top of each other, and hiding what may be behind it; thus way I can make changes to a drawing without having to redraw anything if possible. I am able to do it in AutoCAD using a "Draw Order Layer" function, but I believe the version I am using of Bentley is not as flexible as newer versions may be.

I may have to completely change my approach to achieve what I am trying to do, and I certainly welcome any advice anyone is willing to share.

Thank you all again for your time, and wish you a great day

Stay healthy 

Have you tried the "active element priority" setting ?

This might be similar to the Autocad function.

Hi Jeffrey,

at first, thanks for the video, it makes the situation clearer a bit (even when to capture the whole MicroStation application windows would be better). My feeling from the video is that there exist a lack of knowledge of MicroStation tools and how they work.

Jeffrey Barrero said:

I would like to be able to draw complete shapes

I assume you mean "shapes" not in MicroStation terminology (shape element), but in more abstract meaning (a drawing of specific object).

Jeffrey Barrero said:

and by using the "Bring to Front" function

Do not use it!

This function is very old and treated as obsolete, because based on order of elements in design file (which is roughly equal to an order how the elements are drawn). The problem is that the order ca be changed anytime, when an element is modified and has to be moved to the end of the file, which is often out from a user control.

Jeffrey Barrero said:

stack shapes on top of each other

As MickyKom wrote, to use Element priority is what should be used.

Jeffrey Barrero said:

I am able to do it in AutoCAD using a "Draw Order Layer" function

Even when Draw Order Layer feature in AutoCAD brings many benefits, in fact it's a result that AutoCAD is not able to handle 2D files, whereas MicroStation is strictly "geometry based" tool (and Draw Order Layer disrupt 3D concepts).

Jeffrey Barrero said:

but I believe the version I am using of Bentley is not as flexible as newer versions may be.

Even when you are using old MicroStation version (SS4 was released 4 years ago, but V8i generation was introduced 12 years ago!), the main concepts has remained the same also in the current CONNECT Edition generation.

In my opinion more problems are caused by a fact you are trying to use MicroStation in AutoCAD style, which often leads to confusion always, because they are different: Some things can be done easier in AutoCAD, others in MicroStation.

Jeffrey Barrero said:

I may have to completely change my approach to achieve what I am trying to do, and I certainly welcome any advice anyone is willing to share.

A broader context is not known (where original data come from, what is expected result...), but typically these drawing are generated as views or sections from 3D models, so the most of "hiding" is done automatically when visible edges are calculated. The dynamic result is consequently annotated in drawing model.

There is no such information available (the best option would be to use more specialized tool like AECOsim Building Designer, that offers more specialized, not general CAD, functionality), so I have to start with the assumption you create the drawing from scratch.

It's all about the model structure, otherwise no tool can help you.

I think it should be something like:

• The model has to be 2D.
• Shape + holes grouped together and filled using Create Region tool.
  The same result can be achieved using Group Hole tool and changing fill parameters of the created cell.
• Everything, what is displayed on top of the basic "shape" (technically it's probably a cell), has to be in separate layer with assigned higher priority. It ensures it will be displayed always on top.

With regards,

  Jan

Thank you so much Jan, and I love your response.

Very true indeed saying I lack of knowledge of Microstation is a kind understatement, because I have used Autodesk products most of my career.

The drawings and content has been created from scratch in Microstation as 2D, and thanks to you; I will start to use priority instead of bring to front. I will make sure to capture the entire screen in future questions, because I was not sure if I could upload due to file size limit.

Thank you again for your detail response, and I will follow your suggestions.

Hope you have a great day

I have not, but I will start to use it now that I know it functions like AutoCAD.

Thank you

If it helps, I believe that you can assign "priority" byLevel or by element. ByLevel may be a more organized way to do things, but by element can get the job done.