Changes when placing cells and text with AccuDraw

In MicroStation V8 XM Edition there's been a slight change in how AccuDraw operates which affects the placement of 3D cells. In previous versions of MicroStation the AccuDraw compass would show up at it's last location which enabled you to easily flip the cell orientation prior to placement. This was done by using the AccuDraw shortcuts T, F, S and E. The trouble with this methodology was that it prevented Place Cell and Place Text from working properly with various locks - most notably the Depth and ACS Plane lock.

In MicroStation V8 XM Edition, AccuDraw adjusts for any ACS lock changes which results in it no longer placing the compass at it's previous location.

To understand this change in behaviour, view the clip below. Notice that when the Place Cell tool is activated, the compass is not at the cell origin and therefore the AccuDraw shortcuts do not flip the cell as expected.

To ensure that the element is correctly placed, you need to explicitly enable/position the AccuDraw compass before the first data point is entered. In other words, set the compass by doing a CTRL+Tentative, or F11 + O or, Space Bar + O, or Tentative + O. In all cases the compass will end up at the selected location which will then allow you to flip the cell as you did in previous versions.

Note: This behaviour and work flow is true for the Place Text tool as well.
With many thanks to Brien Bastings for setting me straight on this.    

   

AskInga Tip # 703