MS CE Update 14 - How to manage draw order with references and shape fill

Hi

I have a filled shape in a nested reference (ref. 1.1) that hide linework in another nested reference (ref 1.2) (1 level of nesting).

I have tried changing element and level priority but still the fill shows above the lines. The reference priority cannot be changed because of nesting.

I have also tried changing the update sequence in the file attaching directly the references (ref 1) and it does not seem to have changed a thing.

Has anyone else had this issue? What should I try next?

Thanks.

MicroStation CE Update 14 10.14.02.01 in a 2D design model

  • It would be appreciated if you could provide details of the software and version you're currently using.

    MicroStation Forum best practices

    It would also be of interest to know whether the design file you're working in is 2D or 3D? This can make a difference with the Draw Order or Priority of your elements in any references or shape files.

    Changing Element Display Order

    Regards
    Andrew Bell
    Technical Support
    Bentley Systems

  • Hi Alexandre,

    as Andrew wrote: Without further details, the discussion is quite hypothetical and no clear advice can be provided.

    It's recommended in best practices to always specify the used product and it's exact version and any other information, that can help. To use tags is not good idea, experience shows that they are often not noticed or ignored. To use standardized subject, as recommended in e.g. Programming forum, is better way. Alternatively, the product and version can be mentioned in a question itself. But, to use "CONNECT Edition" is not version specification, because there have been 20 versions of MicroStation CE released so far.

    There are (I guess) 3 main settings that affect references order:

    • Element / level / reference priorities, that can be used in 2D
    • References order, that can be used both in 2D and 3D
    • In specific cases, antialiasing and transparency also affect the order

    As you mentioned already, the settings can be changed for the direct references only, not for nested.

    Has anyone else had this issue?

    There are many situations, especially when combinations like 2D / 3D, DGN + DWG or WMS (all together at the best case) are used, when the results can look incorrect and it's not easy (or even not possible) to achieve what is required, but in general, both order and priorities work fine.

    What should I try next?

    In my opinion you should create and share simple test case to demonstrate the problem, because there are too many settings and dependencies. The test case can be just 4 DGN files, with only one or two elements in nested files.

    With regards,

      Jan

  • I have a filled shape in a nested reference (ref. 1.1) that hide linework in another nested reference (ref 1.2) (1 level of nesting)

    The quickest solution turn off the ref in the nest for the filled shape exref.. then attach the filled shape exref  as a single xref ontop now in the ref manager sequence  set it to the first  xref ie  slot 1 at the top of the list .. then everything else after it   so it gets painted first then everything else is painted on top.. as the way the printer would need to lay it down.. on paper.. not the most inutitive tool but when you think of it as  printing order  its a bit easier.. other drafter use transparencey  but then it  mucks up the way colours look  and you can't  make the legend  look the same becaue  stuff shines thru change the colours like air photos .. so I put 2d  filled shape exrefs  underneath all the other exrefs  and I dont put it a nest  as its hard to control later.. or rebuild  your  nest so filled shapes is first  .. still may not work in all situations...

    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.
    click link to PM me 

  • The quickest solution

    Sorry, but it's not solution (and for sure not the quickest), but a workaround only in situation, when probably standard settings should work.

    Regards,

      Jan

  • ok its a workaround .. when the settings are clearly not working for the user..  and its pretty quick rather than having to make a new nest ..  so what ?  a solution is an answer to a problem that give the desired outcome..   I think your being too pedantic about terminology ..

    The guy has an issue  to make drgs work and has a dead line  for sure ..( yep an assumption there I said it !)

    And when  the conventional method is not doing what it is the expected outcome.. so a " work around"  gets the job done... later  he should investigate why the  conventional method isnt working .. trying to get things to work as they should and waiting for a proper solution  means that  you miss the deadline then its not really helping  .. is it?

    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.
    click link to PM me