Problem

When in V7 workmode, I set up my levels with the desired Color, Line Style and Line Weight in the Level Manager. However, after saving, closing and reopening the file, all attributes (Color, Style and Weight) are set back to 0. Can you use ByLevel Attributes in a V7 file?

Solution

V7 files do not have ByLevel functionality like V8 files do. ByLevel symbology is not supported in the V7 format, but it is possible to use the attributes from a V8 level library in a V7 file.

Procedure:

1. Get a V8 Level library containing the levels and ByLevel symbology as needed. Note: The level names in the library have to match the level names in the V7 file.
2. Set the MS_DGNLIBLIST path to the level library file created in step 1.
3. Set MS_OPENV7 to 3.
4. Update the active levels to the library. This can be done a few different ways:
   1. Go to level manager and click update levels to library.
   2. (V8 2004 Edition or later) Set MS_LEVEL_AUTO_SYNC_ATTRIBUTE_LIST to BylevelSymbology. (recommended)
   3. Use the Key-in: DGNLIB UPDATE ALL.
5. The levels should now have the attribute values from the library.
   Set the active attributes to ByLevel. This can also be done a few ways:
   1. Use the Key-in: ACTIVE COLOR BYLEVEL;ACTIVE WEIGHT BYLEVEL;ACTIVE STYLE BYLEVEL.
   2. (V8 2004 edition or later) Add synchbylevel.ma to MS_DGNAPPS. (recommended)

The active attributes should now show ByLevel.

Note: This will not set the status of by level for any existing element attributes. This only applies the level settings from the library to new elements placed in the design.

See also

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