Line weight configuration for printing.

Hi Claudia,

it's correct, in MicroStation line weights are identified by their numbers (0 - 31) and when displayed, the weights are independent from zoom level, so they can be treated as "virtual". How the weights are displayed can be configured in User Preferences dialog.

How the weights are printed is separated from how they are displayed. In fact there are more ways how to define "paper line weight". In my opinion the simpliest is to use Weight Mapping in printer configuration file:

1. Select the printer (pltcfg file) you want to use.
2. Go to File > Edit Printer Driver Configuration
3. In Printer Driver Configuration go to Weight Maps tab
4. Change "line number" to "line weight" mapping
5. Close and save the file
6. Chose File > Reload Printer Driver Configuration

Another option is to use pen table, but it's not so straightforward, on the other hand it offers more functionality (you can e.g. create mapping between color and paper line weight).

Another

With regards,

  Jan

Your university's CAD system may not allow you to customize the printer driver configuration as Jan describes. If that's the case, using a pen table to control the print width for each of the 31 line weights is your best option.  The pen table width assignments override those in the printer driver configuration file.
 
From the Print dialog, select the Resymbolization menu, then New Pen Table. Specify a .tbl file to create, perhaps in the same directory as your DGN. When the pen table dialog comes up, select "Map Pen Weights", then "Create", then select each weight/width row followed by "Edit". After defining your print width mappings as you like, select OK, Save, and exit the pen table dialog.

Whenever you print, make sure to attach that pen table file (via the Resymbolization / Attach menu command) and the line widths will print as you desire.

Unknown said:

Hello,

I am relatively new to Microstation and I am having trouble printing my work for University. My tutors didn't explain much about the printing options in the program and I don't know how to set the desired line weight for a layer when printing - for example, I'd like that the 0 line weight to print as 0.05 mm on paper. I have been told that the line weights in the design file are preset and can't really be changed, but if that is so than I can't really print my work properly. 

If you could please take me through the printing options I'd be very grateful as the final submission date is around the corner and I can't get my head around this isssue. I am attaching the file I am currently working on. I should mention I am using the student version of Microstation.(Please visit the site to view this file)

Thank you in advance,

Claudia

Are you sure of that weight   0.05 mm ? I dont know if printer resolution  can actually  produce  5/100 th of a mm, 1/20th mm ok I test it and it  worked

I have  modified the pdf ,plt to use this pen width for  weight 0, 

use this instead of the  one in  microstation  you can put it anywhere and  browse to it with choose a bentley  driver...

05pdf.pltcfg

Unknown said:

It may print a line but is the line really only 0.05 mm? Were talking about a line the thickness of a human hair.

I know ! as you can see I questioned her about it too but heck it worked on my EL cheapo A4 B&W laser printer  so  who are we to judge.. 

FYI for those interested 600 dpi works out at 23.6 DPmm so  each dot is 1/23.6 th of a mm and  0.05 is 1/20th of a mm  which is bigger or fatter  so its possible

Now I've seen a hair  photocopied  in error and its  quite  visible on white  paper so it works  but would I use it in drawings? Not on your life!

But  she asked  for 0.05mm and  we gave it .. personally I think it was a typo and she meant 0.5  or even maybe 0.15  Which I have used... for 0 before...

but now she has a  offline copy  of the pdf.pltcfg and  previous posts she can edit it herself if need be..