I'm writing a macro to extract the bounding box of a detail callout. I used the "Named Boundary from Drawing Boundary" tool to place a named boundary and create a drawing. I'm using the stock DrawingSeed.dgnlib metric file:
Then I open the reference dialog in the sheet model and see two rectangles:
1. The callout clipping region (inner rectangle) which aligns with the original named boundary placed in the design model.
2. The "photo corner" box (outer rectangle) which is offset from the callout rectangle and is the associated saved view boundary.
The reference boundary (dashed purple) in the sheet model aligns with the "photo corner" rectangle rather than the actual clip rectangle. If I programatically try and access the reference clip I get the outer rectangle coordinates and not the clip element (inner rectangle) coordinates.
Hi Benzi,
Can you open the references dialog and post an image showing the location of the reference boundary in your sheet model?
The reference boundary is the purple dash-dot-dash rectangle. I also selected the drawing boundary. Notice that the reference boundary doesn't conincide with the drawing boundary:
Apparently the reference clip is controlled by a saved view. Here is the saved view location in the design model:
I can edit the saved view by snapping the "photo corners" to the callout:
After I update the saved view the reference boundary in the sheet model coincides with the drawing boundary:
So whats the purpose of the "photo corner" rectangle? Maybe it's a visual margin similar to ones used in photographs. But shouldn't the reference clip region conincide with the callout boundary from the start?
I manually created a general Saved View and a new sheet model. As you can see my saved view (on the right) appears correctly with the "photo corners" coninciding with the saved view clip region. So there is something inconsistent here:
Hello Benzi,
It appears that the "photo corners" are a feature that are similar to that of a picture frame as you stated above. Please guide me through your workflow that enables you to edit the photo corner by snapping them to the callout. Are you directly editing the saved view while in the saved view dialog when editing the photo corners? Thanks!
I'm directly editing the saved view. This requires me to toggle the "show" property in the saved view dialogue. Then I click on the "photo corner" rectangle. Both the inner and outer rectangles get hilited. It is then a matter of snapping the photo corner vertex to the inner rectangle vertex so both rectangles coincide.
I checked some of the saved views in the "Plan Metric" drawing model of the stock DrawingSeed.dgnlib file. In some of the saved views the "photo corner" rectangle is offset and in some it coincides. I don't see any rule of thumb there.
In attempt to recreate this scenario, I created a named boundary from a drawing boundary in a 2D design model and attached a reference. I also created a corresponding drawing model and a sheet model in the "Create Drawing" dialog that pops up.
I then clipped the reference to the inner boundary shown below using the "clip reference" tool shown in the References Dialog shown below. The inner box that references the roadway was measured and has the exact same dimensions in all three model types (design, drawing, and sheet).
It was noted that you can toggle the "picture frame" display on/off via the Saved Views Dialog Launcher . You can also toggle the inner display on/off via the Named Boundaries Dialog Launcher.
Could you attach the files you are working so I can recreate your scenario more accurately? Thanks.
Maybe this is easier to understand:
1. Open a new design model. Attach a reference to create content in the background. Do a "fit all".
2. Use "Place Boundary From Drawing Boundary" tool.
3. Select one of the "(sheet only)" drawing seeds.
4. Turn on "Create Drawing".
5. Place the named boundary and accept.
6. Let Microstation create the sheet model.
7. Open the sheet model.
8. Open references dialog. Enable hilite on reference boundary.
9. Select the single reference in the list.
10. Notice where the reference boundary (purple dash-dot) is positioned - it aligns with the saved view outer boundary rather than the named boundary which defines the clipping region.
When I run the macro to create the reference clip coordinate frame it gets drawn incorrectly:
11. Go back to the design model.
12. Open the Saved Views dialog and enable "Show" for the saved view.
13. Notice the two rectangles. The inner rectangle coincides with the original named boundary.
14. Select the saved view element.
15. Snap the outer rectangle handles to the inner rectangle.
16. Now go back to the sheet model.
17. Open the references dialog.
18. Notice that the reference boundary is now positioned correctly and is aligned with the clipped content.
When I run the macro this time I get the coordinate frame positioned correctly:
Hi Benzi,Thanks for posting your workflow steps to reproduce your issue. I will investigate this further and look into filing a defect or enhancement with our development team to help correct this issue. I'll be sure to keep you updated.
Thanks,Jayson
Please be advised that Defect # 1113862 has been filed with our developers for this specific issue to be resolved on future updates of MicroStation CONNECT Edition.
Answer Verified By: Benzi Papo
Exporting the default model and sheet model to DWG creates an AutoCAD viewport that aligns with the outer ("photo corner") rectangle. This results in graphical elements protruding outside the original named boundary. Here are screenshots from Microstation and AutoCAD: