"Align" AutoCAD command

Try key-in:  ALIGNEDGE

It is in the Manipulate Tools. Align Elements by Edge. It works for text too.

Hi.

Do you know the "align" command in AutoCAD?

AlignEdge (MicroStation) is not the same because it does not rotate the selected elements just move them.

Joan Martínez Serra said:

Do you know the "align" command in AutoCAD?

This is the MicroStation Forum.  In general, people here know nothing about other CAD products.

Don't ask "Can MicroStation do the same as SuperCAD?"  Prefer to describe what you need, then see if someone can recommend a MicroStation tool or workflow to match your requirement.

Thanks Jon! Well stated.

Not all commands are identical, because these are different software created by different companies.

No, I don't know the "align" command in AutoCAD. But I wouldn't be surprised if the MicroStation command is NOT identical. There might even be a few things you actually can't do as easily in MicroStation. But that's fine, because there are things we can't do easily in AutoCAD. There are tradeoffs, compromises and things that just don't translate.

English doesn't have a direct translation for the Finnish word "Sisu". I can explain it close enough, but there's nothing directly identical.

I can't create a Tangent/Tangent/Radius ARC in AutoCAD. I can in MicroStation. In AutoCAD, I place my note, then type my text; in MicroStation, I type my text then place my note. They aren't the same but I get the job done.

As Jon said, tell us what your command actually DOES and we can help you find the next best workflow.

The Align tool in both ACAD and REVIT allows the user to rotate an element to match that of another element, simply by selecting it. 

In MS we do not have the same function.

The closest we can get is to use the ACCUDRAW shortcut RE, which stands for Rotate Element.  but it will take a few clicks.

I believe I added this as an IDEA a while ago

Ian 

The Align tool in both ACAD and REVIT allows the user to rotate an element to match that of another element, simply by selecting it. 

In MS we do not have the same function.

The closest we can get is to use the ACCUDRAW shortcut RE, which stands for Rotate Element.  but it will take a few clicks.

I believe I added this as an IDEA a while ago

Ian 

Ian Lapper said:

In MS we do not have the same function.

I'll just leave this here (best viewed full-screen @ 1080p60 HD)

Really good!

But is it a custom tool?

Barry that is cheating........  custom tool  but nice one.  next question is where do the users find it

Joan Martínez Serra said:

But is it a custom tool?

Yes it's a custom tool that I made yesterday. I couldn't quite recall how AutoCAD's align tool worked so I watched a video to refresh my memory and after seeing its operation I was pretty certain the same could thing could be achieved in MicroStation so creating this tool it was more a personal challenge to see if I could.

Ian Lapper said:

Barry that is cheating........  custom tool  but nice one.  next question is where do the users find it

Well, I hadn't really intended on making the tool for public use but I guess there is no problem letting it be available for anyone that want's to use it. While it is functional and appears to be working perfectly fine, I've got some tidying up to do with its coding before I would want to make it available for download.

Ok, I have reviewed and tidied up the code this morning. Attached is the MVBA file and a basic replication of the AutoCAD Align icon is also provided for anyone that wishes to use it (refer to the help file for how to use the Customize Dialog to import icons and create a custom Tool/Toolbar)

AlignByPoints.mvba
AlignbyPoints.ico

For those of you not familiar using 3rd Party VBA Tools read on (Note I am only providing instructions for V8i as I do not use CONNECT Edition though I'm sure the process will be somewhat similar):

1. On the Menu bar, go to Workspace\Configuration.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the Category section and select Visual Basic for Applications
3. Under Visual Basic for Applications Settings, click on the 'Directories to Search....' entry
4. In the expansion box, take note of any folder paths listed there (if you have multiple you will need to decide which folder to use).
5. Use Windows Explorer browse to one of those folders and drag & drop the AlignByPoints.MVBA file into the folder

Note: an alternative approach replacing steps 1-4 is to use the following keyin and copy your chosen folder path from the result in the message center:

expand echo $(MS_VBASEARCHDIRECTORIES)

To run the tool manually use this keyin:

vba run [AlignByPoints]modMain.Locate

If you are creating a custom tool via the Customize Dialog (recommended) use this keyin:

e,vba run [AlignByPoints]modMain.Locate

The tool has been coded to only work with the following Element Types:

• Lines & Linestrings
• Shapes & Complex Shapes
• Groups, Normal Cells & Shared Cells
• Complex Chains
• Arc's, Circles & Ellipses
• Bspline Curves
• Text & Text Nodes

The tool is currently designed for 2D only (results in a 3D file are yet untested but may work as expected) although I plan to develop it further for 3D use and perhaps also include the option to keep the original element in place as well i.e. making it copy instead of move. The tool will also now remain active instead of having to restart it each time as could be seen in the previous YouTube video (right-clicking after aligning an element will end the tool and revert to the Element Selection command).

I've eliminated the only testing error I found earlier but if you discover something that doesn't appear to be working, let me know.