Problem

How to enter distance and bearing angles when placing lines.

Product: MicroStation
Version: All
Area: Accudraw,

Solution

Setup:
1. From Menubar, go to Settings > Design File... [Design File dialog opens]
2. Select "Coordinate Readout" Category.
3. Change Angles Readout to:
-Format: DD MM SS
-Mode: Bearing

Note: Save settings to keep this for future sessions of this file.

To place elements using Bearing and Distance (There is 3 methods):

Method #1: Use Place Line tool
1. Start Place line.
2. Place line start in view.
3. In Distance, enter value desired.
4. In Angle, enter value desired, using the following syntax:

Angle: DD^MM'SS"

Method #2: Use key-in "DI="
1. Open Key-in dialog (From Menubar, go to Utilities > Key-in)
2. Key-in:
DI=<(><<)>desired distance>,DD^MM'SS"
OR
DI=<(><<)>desired distance>,<(><<)>N|S>DD^MM'SS"<(><<)>E|W>
Example:
DI=100',45^45'45"
OR
DI=100',N45^45'45"E

Method #3: Use AccuDraw
1. Start AccuDraw (From Menubar, Tools > Primary [Primary Toolbox
opens], click AccuDraw icon).
2. Switch AccuDraw to Distance and Angle mode (press spacebar wh ile
focused on AccuDraw).
3. Start place line tool (or other distance/angle tool).
3. Enter in desired distance in distance field.
4. Enter in desired angle in angle field using the following syntax:

Angle: DD^MM'SS"
OR
Angle: <(><<)>N|S>DD^MM' SS"<(><<)>E|W>

Example:
Angle: 100',45^45'45"
OR
Angle: 100',N45^45'45"E

Notes:
-Use Shift+6 to get the Caret symbol.
-Place Line does not currently support Northing and Eastings.

See Also

Help Documentation on "Coordinate Readout", "Precision Input
Key-ins" and "Working with Accudraw"