How can I Create a DD Cell from a DD Design

It has been a long time since I tried using and creating a DD Cell. Well, this week I was tasked with an assignment that screams for DD Cell, even if it is very simplistic.

We need to submit one-off drawings for utility test pits. There are two basic cells they use as the forms, with 90% of the text going into enter data fields. But there is one section detail that shows the utility as either a duct bank or a pipe/cable. So currently, there are two basic cells with the two types of details. But occasionally, the pipe/cable needs to be made smaller so it can show more than one object. This requires dropping the cell, scaling the circle and making copies of it.

Since there are additional graphics that need to react with the pipe/cable as it shrinks or grows, maintaining contact with the pipe, DD Design popped into my head and since the end result is a cell, DD Cells seemed to be the solution.

So what I did was copied the current model in the existing cell library and began using the DD Design tools on the model. When done, I can modify the radius using the DD Design tools and the circle shrinks and grows and the other lines and leaders follow the circumference maintaining their connections at the correct point.

But when I tried placing the cell using the place cell or place cell dimension tool, the result was not what I remember. I can change the radius during placement, but while some of the other linework maintains its connectivity, the two leaders do not. And I cannot seem to get the cell to retain its constraints.

Can someone point out where my workflow is flawed and if these efforts can be salvaged.

Parents Reply
  • There are two issues:

    1. Leader associativity is not being manintained if dimension value is changed during placement.
    2. Cannot modify constraint after it is placed no mater how the checkbox is set for maintaining constraints.

    And yes, this is a simple 2D cell and most of the cell is static.

    So it would appear, you cannot build a DD Cell in MicroStation directly in a cell library.

    You might also not be able to use leaders attached to the dynamic items in a DD Cell.


    Charles (Chuck) Rheault
    CADD Manager

    MDOT State Highway Administration

    • MicroStation user since IGDS, InRoads user since TDP.
    • AutoCAD, Land Desktop and Civil 3D, off and on since 1996
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