Original Article Date: Sep 19, 2002
MicroStation V8’s new file structure introduces an entirely new concept for users called Models. For those of you new to V8, this article will help you understand this new concept and even includes an exercise or two!
MicroStation V8’s new file structure introduces an entirely new concept for users called Models. A model is simply a container for graphical elements on an independent design plane that has it’s own working units. A design file must have at least one model but can contain multiple models in order to manage design data. Due to these changes, a design file is now a “data store” and can be loosely represented as a directory tree as shown below. (Please note that this image is not technical representation of a V8 design file's structure, but rather is only intended as a learning aid.)
Exploring Some Models: Download and open Models_Explore.dgn. The Models dialog can be accessed several ways:
The Models dialog contains tools that are used to create, delete and otherwise manage the models in the design file and simply double-clicking an entry within the dialog makes the model active. You can also issue keyins to make a particular model active. For models with a one-word name you can use the keyin:model active model_name. For example, the model called “Maps” can be made as the active model with the keyin: model active maps. Models having more than one word in their names can be recalled using the following keyin: model active “model name”. For example, the model called “Flow Tags” can be made active with this keyin:model active “flow tags” The keyins are not case-sensitive. Exercise - Explore the models
Types of Models MicroStation V8 has two types of models:
Colour Table The colour table attached to your design file is used by all Design and Sheet models. Background Colours A V8 design file has two background colours: One for the Design models and one for Sheet models. The default background colour for a Design model is black, while the one for a Sheet model is white. If you prefer you can control the background colour of a Sheet model by editing the configuration variable MS_DEFAULTSHEETRGB. For example, setting the variable to: MS_DEFAULTSHEETRGB =113,255,113 will give you a lovely green background. Note: If the file already has a Sheet model when you set this variable, it will be ignored and new sheets will have the same background as the existing sheet. The Default Model When you create a new design file, MicroStation uses the model definition as found in your seed file. By default, MicroStation’s delivered seed files contain a Default model with the description of Master Model. To change the default, just open and edit the model in the seed file to the type, name and description of your choice. Note: You can change the name, type and description of the default model, but you *can not* delete it.
Creating Models There are several ways to create a model:
The Create New Model tool You can use the first tool in the models dialog called Create a New Model or use the keyin: model create. In either case, the The Create Model dialog opens that allows you to set the Type, Dimension, Seed, Name, and Description of your new model. Note: When entering a name for your new model, pay special attention that the following characters are *not* used: < > \ / " ? * | , = & \n \t :
Exercise: Create a Design model
MicroStation gives you the option of using an external file as a seed for a new model in which case you’ll be required to select an existing model from a file. If a seed model is not used, the model will be created based upon the settings in the dialog which are remembered from session to session. Exercise: Create a Model using a Seed File
Well guys, that about it for this article. Hopefully it's enough to help you to understand what's going on with V8's new models. If not, drop me a line. You know how to reach me.
AskInga Article #122