MicroStation PowerDraft Training Guide

Bentley Education Network - Academic Use Only

Copyright Information
Trademarks
AccuDraw, Bentley, the B Bentley logo, MDL, MicroStation and SmartLine are registered trademarks; PopSet and Raster Manager are trademarks; Bentley SELECT is a service mark of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or Bentley Software, Inc. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, the Acrobat logo, Distiller, Exchange, and PostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Windows, Microsoft and Visual Basic are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Other brands and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Patents
United States Patent Nos. 5,8.15,415 and 5,784,068 and 6,199,125.

Copyrights
2000-2004 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. MicroStation 1998 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. IGDS file formats 1981-1988 Intergraph Corporation. Intergraph Raster File Formats 1993 Intergraph Corporation. Portions 1992 1994 Summit Software Company. Portions 1992 1997 Spotlight Graphics, Inc. Portions 1993 1995 Criterion Software Ltd. and its licensors. Portions 1992 1998 Sun MicroSystems, Inc. Portions Unigraphics Solutions, Inc. Icc 1991 1995 by AT&T,Christopher W. Fraser and David R. Hanson. All rights reserved. Portions 1997 1999 HMR, Inc. All rights reserved. Portions 1992 1997 STEP Tools, Inc.

Sentry Spelling-Checker Engine 1993 Wintertree Software Inc. Unpublished rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. All rights reserved.

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Contents
Chapter Topic OVERVIEW 1. GETTING STARTED MicroStation PowerDraft Concepts Lesson 1 Working with Files Lesson 2 - First Things First Lesson 3 - Beginning to Draw CHANGING THINGS Lesson 4 - Manipulating Elements Lesson 5 - Modifying Elements Lesson 6 - Changing Element Attributes Exercise - Schematic Summary MENU SURVEY File Edit Element Settings Settings: Snaps Tools Utilities Workspace Window Summary INPUT OF PRECISE GEOMETRIC DATA Lesson 7 - Key-in of Coordinate Data Key-in of coordinates using AccuDraw Exercise - Stepped Shaft Summary WORKING WITH GROUPS Lesson 8 - Fences Lesson 9 - Element Selection Tool Exercise - Sprinkler Protector Summary & Review Page vi 1 1 5 7 11 17 18 20 22 23 28 29 29 31 32 33 34 36 38 39 40 40 41 41 44 44 47 48 48 51 52 55

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Chapter 6.

Topic USING LEVELS Lesson 10 Level Manager & Level Display Lesson 11 - Moving Elements Between Levels Lesson 12 - Level Locks USING MULTI-LINES Lesson 13 - Setting Up Multi-lines Lesson 14 - Placing Multi-lines Lesson 15 - Cleaning Up Multi-line Joints Exercise - Floor Plan TEXT Lesson 16 - Text Settings Lesson 17 - Placing Text Lesson 18 - Editing Text Exercise - Notes on Floor Plan

Page 58 58 59 60 62 62 64 64 65 69 69 72 74 74 76 78 78 79 79 82 83 83 85 86 88 89 89 92 93 94 95 95 107

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CELLS Lesson 19 - Cell Library Creation Lesson 20 - Cell Library Attachment Lesson 21 - Creating Cells Lesson 22 - Placing Cells Exercise - Add Symbols to the Floor Plan

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PATTERNING & CROSSHATCHING Lesson 23 - The Hatch Area Tool Lesson 24 - The Crosshatch Area Tool Lesson 25 - The Pattern Area Tool Exercise - Hatch Walls DIMENSIONING Lesson 26 - Linear Dimensions Lesson 27 - Angular Dimensions Lesson 28 - Radial Dimensions Exercise - Dimensioning COMPREHENSIVE EXERCISE Exercise - City Tract Map PRINTING YOUR DESIGN

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Chapter 14. 15. 16.

Topic SUMMARY OF 2D 3D CONCEPTS Lesson 29 - Understanding 3D Concepts PRECISE 3D INPUT Exercise - 3D Model of a Kite Lesson 30 - Projecting 2D into 3D Models Exercise - 2D Floor Plan to 3D model CREATING AND MANIPULATING SOLID MODELS Lesson 31 - The Basic Approach Exercise - Create a U Bracket from a Slab Lesson 32 - Joining Primitives to make complex solids Exercise - L bracket by union of two slabs Lesson 33 - More on Features Exercise - Modify Solid Exercise - Create a Roller Bearing w/bracket Modeling Summary Modeling Hints DRAWING COMPOSITION & REFERENCE FILES Lesson 34 Reference Files Lesson 35 Drawing composition TRIFORMA FOR BUILDING MODELING Lesson 36 TriForma Basics Exercise - Build a 3D model RENDERING AND ANIMATION APPENDIX:

Page 111 113 118 120 121 123 124 125 125 127 129 129 130 131 131 133 133 135

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MicroStation PowerDraft shortcut 2D key-in commands

Overview This guide uses a minimum number of words and a maximum number of step by step exercises to move you quickly up the learning curve. Tool icons are generally shown on the left side of a page. Menu selections are shown with each location separated by the symbol >. For example, Settings > Design File >Grids means first select the Settings menu from the main menu bar, then select Design File from the sub-menu, then select Grids. The exercises are a combination of text and illustrations in a step by step format. For additional information on MicroStation PowerDraft, refer to the Users Guide, Tutorial and other documentation supplied with the MicroStation PowerDraft software. Also, the Help file supplied with MicroStation and PowerDraft includes a QuickStart Guide which is useful in getting started. This course is written for MicroStation PowerDraft V8 and later.

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Chapter 1 GETTING STARTED

System Overview MicroStation PowerDraft can be operated as a 2D general purpose drafting application or as a full 3D modeling application. The first few chapters address 2D drafting. 3D will be introduced later. Many 2D commands also apply to 3D. Positioning the Pointer MicroStation PowerDraft receives its graphic input from a mouse or digitizer. This manual uses the mouse as the graphic input device. Menus MicroStation PowerDraft commands appear on menus. Each menu has a specific purpose. For example, the File menu allows you to select a command to open an existing design or create a new one. Some menu selections cause a dialog box to open. A dialog box provides further options for a menu command. Some menus selections open tool frames or tool boxes. A tool box contains icons, tools, which you click to invoke a command. Elements MicroStation PowerDraft allows you to create a design using basic building blocks called elements. Other CAD software applications refer to these building blocks as objects, entities or primitives. Elements include lines, circles, arcs, curves, points, text and more. Cells, often referred to as symbols or blocks in other applications, are created from elements and stored in libraries for later use. A series of elements such as lines, arcs or curves can be connected into complex chains. The complex chain can then be treated as a single element, similar to a polyline. Levels Y to can have an unlimited number of different levels, or layers. A level can be thought of as one sheet of mylar. All elements with the same level number are on the same sheet. Turning on one level is like
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viewing only one sheet. Turning on a second level is like placing a second sheet on top of the first. References Information can also be separated by use of References. When viewing a design, any existing design can be viewed simultaneously with it. When a design is viewed as such, it is called a reference since it is being used as a reference for the master design. An example would be to view a floor plan as a reference when making a design of the electrical wiring for a house. A design can reference any number of other designs. Views MicroStation PowerDraft can display from 1 to 8 different views of the design. Each view is independent of the other views. You can see different portions of your design at the same time. In addition, you can shrink a view so that you are looking at it in detail, magnified to fill the view on your screen. Or, you can take a birds eye view by zooming out to look at your entire design from a distance. Attributes Each element you create is automatically assigned certain attributes that stay with it. For example, a line style such as solid, dashed, dotted. Other attributes include color, level number and line width. The attributes of an element can be changed after it is placed. Real World Coordinates Each drawing is created using the appropriate real world units. Whether the drawing consists of a 100 millimeter machine part or a 1000 foot facilities layout, you can create and position each element in its actual dimensions. All scaling required to print a design on paper is done at the time you send it to the printer. Snaps Snapping pulls the pointer to a precise X, Y location. Several different types of snap may be selected from the Snap menu. Keypoint is the most common. Keypoints are points on an element such as the ends or center of a line, center of a circle, etc. You can also snap to the intersection of two lines, tangent elements or perpendicular ones. AccuSnap automatically finds the nearest snap point when it is active.
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Design Plane MicroStation PowerDraft uses the concept of a design plane. Actual coordinates are stored in 64 IEEE floating point format, which provides a huge range of coordinates that for all practical purposes is infinite. Global Origin Since the design plane is really a coordinate system that you draw on, somewhere in the design plane there has to be a point with the coordinates 0,0. This point is referred to as the global origin. This coordinate system is set up in master units. In other words, the coordinate 1,0 lies one master unit to the right of the global origin, and the coordinate 1.5,0 lies one and one half master units to the right of the global origin. The following illustration shows you the coordinate layout of a design plane.

Element Origin An elements origin is the point on an element by which you can control placement or modification. When adding elements to your design, you will be guided by prompts such as Place first point of line or Place center of circle. This is the elements origin.

Coordinate Entry There are several ways to enter the X and Y coordinates for placement of an element. When a prompt calls for the location of a point, you can move the pointer to the desired coordinates and press the left mouse button. Or, you can open the Utilities > Key-in Key-in browser and type XY=a,b then press Return to supply the coordinates a and b from the keyboard. These are called absolute coordinates. You can type DL=c,d then press Return to supply c (the change in X from the previous location) and d (the change in Y). These are called relative coordinates. You can type DI=e,f then press Return to supply the radius e and angle f of polar coordinate changes from the previous location These are called polar coordinates. Absolute
y y (a,b) d 0,0 x previous x,y x previous x,y e f x

Relative
c y

Polar

AccuDraw uses pointer motion to determine whether you want to enter positive or negative, X or Y coordinates and then you simply type the number representing the distance in the AccuDraw Window. AccuDraw greatly reduces the number of keystrokes required to enter precise coordinates.

LESSON 1 Working with design files You save and retrieve design files using a dialog box called the MicroStation Manager. It is displayed to you when you first launch MicroStation PowerDraft. Or, if you are in a design already, you can select File from the main menu bar and then Open. In either case, the operation of the dialog box used to open files is similar. The right hand pane shows the folders that you can open to find your file. The left pane shows the names of the files within the selected folder that meet the Type requirement you set. MicroStation PowerDraft design files have a .dgn extension. You double click on folders to switch between them and you double click on a design file name to open. File Save/Backup/Workfile Some CAD software such as VersaCAD or AutoCAD use a workfile concept. The saved design is loaded into the workfile, then work is done. Then, the design is saved from the Workfile back to the saved design. MicroStation PowerDraft works on the saved file directly, so to create a backup it is necessary to make a copy of the MicroStation PowerDraft file before starting a work session. Or, to save a backup copy at the end of each session, just press the F3 function key and a copy of your file will be saved with extension .bak. Creating a new design file In the MicroStation Manager, select File > New or if in a design file, select File > New. Note the Seed File section at the bottom of the New file dialog box. A Seed file pre-sets standards conveniently. To select another one, click Select, locate and select the desired seed file, then click OK. The following image shows the seed file 2DenglishGeneral.dgn selected.

LESSON 2 - First Things First Menus There are several ways to access commands: 1. Click on the menu name in the main menu bar, then select options on the menu. 2. You can hold the left mouse button down on a menu while moving to a menu item then releasing the left mouse button, as with a standard MacIntosh. 3. Press the Alt key on the keyboard, then press the letter that is underlined in the menu name on the main menu bar. Press only the underlined letter in sub-menus. 4. Type the complete command in the Key-in browser (Utilities > Key-in) or type in the abbreviation (see the Appendix). Working Units The first thing to do with any new design file is to set up the working units. There is a flexible dimensional unit system, in which there are two parts: mu - master units (e.g. feet) su - sub units (e.g. inches) A practical set up would be: mu feet su inches (12 per foot)

Exercise: Experiment with menus You can get to Working Units settings three different ways. 1. Launch PowerDraft from the Start menu or desktop icon. 2. Select File > New. 3. Enter a name in the Files field. 4. Click OK. 5. Click OK in the MicroStation Manager. 6. In the design file, select the Settings menu. 7. Select Design File. 8. In the DGN File Settings dialog box, select the Working Units Category. 9. Click Cancel to close the dialog box. 10. Next, click on Settings and keep pressing the left mouse button. 11. Drag the pointer to Design File, and release the left mouse button. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Click Cancel to close the dialog box again. Next, while pressing the Alt key, type s. In the DGN File Settings dialog box, type d, then w. Change Master Unit to Feet. Enter in the Label field. Press the Tab key to go to Sub Unit. Change Sub Unit to Inches and enter in the Label field. Click OK.

The design file is now set up for an architectural drawing of feet and inches. To set up a mechanical drawing, use inches or millimeters for master units. Grids To make your whole design file consistent, change the grid which is presently a reference mark every 10 inches to every 12 inches. Exercise: Change the grid 1. Select Settings > Design File. 2. Select the Grid Category. 3. Change Grid Reference to 12. 1. Change Grid Master to 1. 4. Click the Grid lock check box to enable it. 5. Click OK. You have a normal architectural file set up. To save these settings for the next time you open this design, complete the next step. 6. Select File > Save Settings. Coordinate readout MicroStation PowerDraft will show you coordinates in the format 5:4.125, for example. This indicates 5 master units and 4.125 sub units. This format is useful when working with master units in feet and sub units in inches. The example 5:4.125 would represent 54.125. To set this format, select Settings > Design File > Coordinate Readout Category and set Format to Sub Units. Set Accuracy to something reasonable, for example 1/16. If you had done this for the previous example, coordinates would show as 5-4 1/8. However, when working with units in inches and decimal inches, or millimeters and decimal mm as is common for mechanical designs, the coordinate readout is better understood as 5.4125 rather than 5:4.125.
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When working with mechanical, civil or any design where coordinates are expressed in units and decimal units, select Settings > Design File > Coordinate Readout to change to master and sub units setting the Accuracy appropriate to your requirements.

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LESSON 3- Beginning to Draw The easiest way to select drawing commands is from the Main tool frame. Exercise: Open the Main tool frame 1. Select Tools > Main > Main. This opens a single column box of icons called tools. This box is called a tool frame because each of the tools on it is the first in a separate tool box. Click on a tool and it can be pulled out to access other tools in the same family. For example, all of the tools to draw circles or arcs are in the tool box that shows with Place Circle. Nearly every tool for drawing things can be found on the main tool frame. If you press the left mouse button, called the data button, down on one of the tools you will see the name of the tool in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. It is followed by instructions on how to use the tool. You can dock the Main tool frame at the left or right side of your screen. Place the pointer at the top border of the frame, press the data (left mouse) button and hold it down while you slide the frame to the left or right. The small black arrow at lower right of each tool shows you that when you click on it and hold the data button down, then move to the right, you will see the other tools.

The tools included in PowerDraft are the same as those in regular MicroStation. Everything you learn in PowerDraft is directly transferable to MicroStation.

Briefly review the tools of the MicroStation Main tool frame shown in the following graphic.
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Element Selection Place Active Point Hatch Area Place Arc Attach Tags Drop Element Measure Distance Change Elem. Attr. Delete Element Element Selection: Used to select a tool Place Active Point (Points): Used to place Active Point Hatch Area (Patterns): Used to pattern both areas and along linear elements Place Arc ( Arcs): Used to place and modify arcs Attach Tags (Tags): Used to attach, edit, and review element tags Drop Element (Groups): Used to drop or create complex elements from their component elements Measure Distance (Measure): Used to perform measuring operations Change Element Attributes (Change Attributes): Used to change an element(s) to the active element attribute settings Delete Element Used to remove an element

Place Fence Place SmartLine Place Block Place Circle Place Text Place Active Cell Dimension Element Copy Modify Element Place Fence (Fence): Used to place, modify, and move the fence and delete the fence contents Place SmartLine (Linear Elements): Used to place linear elements Place Block (Polygons): Used to place planar polygonal shapes Place Circle (Ellipses): Used to place ellipses (including circles) and arcs Place Text (Text): Used to place text, modify existing text elements, and fill in enter data fields Place Active Cell (Cells): Used to place and manipulate cells Dimension Element (Dimension): Used to perform dimensioning Copy (Manipulate): Used to copy, move, resize, rotate, mirror, and create arrays of elements Modify Element (Modify): Used to modify element geometry

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View controls Briefly review the tools in the Tools > View Control 2D View Control tool box.

Fit View Zoom Out Update View Pan View View Next

Zoom In Window Area

Copy View View Previous Rotate View

You do not need to open the View Control tool box to access these tools. At the bottom left corner of each view window you can access all the view control tools except Copy View.

Tools included are as follows.

Update View Zoom In Zoom Out Window Area Fit View Rotate View Pan View View Previous View Next Copy View Used to update (redraw) the contents of a view window(s) Used to increase a view windows magnification, making elements appear larger Used to decrease a views magnification, making elements appear smaller Used to indicate a rectangular area in the design that is to be displayed in a view Used to adjust the view magnification so that the entire design is visible in the view Used to rotate a view Used to view a different part of the design without changing the view magnification See previous view Come back after previous view Used to copy the contents of an entire view and its corresponding attributes to other views

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To Pan across a design, you can also press the Shift key and move the pointer away from the center of the view while holding the data button down. The reset button MicroStation PowerDraft is set up for a 2-button mouse or digitizer puck. The left mouse button is the data button. This is the button to click to select a menu or to enter a coordinate location. The other button is called the reset button. It is used for different actions including terminating commands, rejecting a tentative selection or selecting a snap point. MicroStation PowerDraft offers a number of different types of snap. Right now, you are set up to snap automatically to grid points or to a keypoint on an element. To snap tentatively to a keypoint, the reset and data buttons are pressed at the same time. A large crosshair will appear, showing the tentative location where you snapped. If you like the location, press the data button once more and you are snapped to that point. If you dont like the location, press the reset button, try again. Your system may be setup with a three-button mouse. In that case, to tentative snap, you press the middle button on the mouse rather than the reset and data buttons together. If you have a 3 button mouse, and the middle button is not functioning for snapping, go to Workspace > Button Assignments. Highlight Tentative in the list box, then move the pointer to the Button Definition Area and press the middle button. Note the change to the Invoked By description in the list box. Click OK. Then, select File > Save Settings. The middle mouse button will now function for snapping. Drawing elements Now, you are ready to start drawing, or, creating a design. Exercise: Use the most common tools

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Place SmartLine

1. Select Place SmartLine and draw a line between 3 grid points by pressing the data button, which is called entering a data point, at the first one then again at the third one. 2. Press the reset button to end the command. 3. Select Place Block and draw a box by entering two diagonally opposite data points on two grid points. Note the messages in the status bar. They tell you what to do next. 4. Press the reset button to end the command. 5. Select Place Arc and place an arc by watching the status bar and entering three data points. 6. Press the reset button to end the command. 7. Select Place Circle and draw a circle by entering one data point for the center, then another to complete. 8. Continue with the tools until you have drawn everything you can watching the prompt messages which are displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the screen after selecting each drawing tool. Continuous draw mode Note that MicroStation PowerDraft is in continuous draw mode. When drawing lines, after drawing one line, MicroStation PowerDraft is ready to draw the next line, and then the next, etc. There are several ways to stop drawing lines: 1. To stop drawing lines and begin using another tool just select the new tool 2. To stop drawing lines but stay in the line placement tool, press the reset button.

Place Block

Place Arc

Place Circle

Element Selection tool

3. To stop drawing lines and exit all commands, click on the Element Selection tool. One exception to this is when drawing curves, you must accept the desired curve by pressing the reset button before terminating the curve drawing tool.

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Tool settings The tool settings windows contents and heading will change depending on which tool is in use. It opens automatically when you select a tool and contains all of the settings available for that particular tool. Note the red ball icon in the tool box at the top of the screen.

This is PopSet. If it is green, tool settings will appear right next to the tool you select and disappear when you move the pointer out of the tool settings. If red, the tool settings are always displayed. Click on it to toggle the state. How to find a tool If youre not sure what function a tool performs, simply move the pointer over it and a short description displays at the bottom of the screen. Or, if the icon is part of a sub-tool box, hold the data button down as you move over the icons. Input focus Just like any Windows software, you must have the input focus in a dialog box where you want to input data. For example, if you have a dialog box is open MicroStation PowerDraft needs to know if you want to enter data into the dialog box or into the tool settings. Just click the top bar of the desired dialog box to make it active. Or, press Esc until the top of the dialog box turns dark.

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CHAPTER 2 CHANGING THINGS All designs will be changed a number of times before final approval and fabrication of a part or construction of a project. That is because a designs is one of the principal means of communication between a designer and the client. MicroStation PowerDraft offers a variety of commands for changing elements after they have been placed in a design file. Three tools from the Main tool frame are used to change things. The Manipulate tools let you use one element to create another. For example, you can scale an element to make a geometrically similar but different sized element. Or, you can copy one element to make another. The Modify tools are for changing an element already in a design. For example, to delete half of a circle or extend a line. The Change Attribute tools are for changing an existing elements color, line style, and other attributes. The Delete Element tool is for deleting an element. You can select multiple elements first and then use either this tool or press the Delete key on the keyboard.

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Lesson 4 - Manipulating Elements Select the Copy tool on the Main tool frame to open the Manipulate tool box. The Manipulate tools are:
Scale Move Parallel Move Copy Rotate Mirror Align Construct Array

Copy Move Move Parallel

Scale Rotate Mirror Align Elements Construct Array

Used to copy an element(s) Used to move an element(s) Used to move or copy an element (line, line string, multi-line, curve, arc, ellipse, shape, complex chain, or complex shape) parallel to the original Used to resize an element(s) Used to rotate an element(s) Used to mirror an element(s) Used to justify elements Used to copy an element(s) many times to create an array

After creating a design you may want to scale some objects to make them larger or smaller, copy objects etc. Exercise: Experiment with manipulating elements 1. Tear off the manipulate tool box. 2. Click the Copy tool and note the title of the tool settings window. 3. The prompt in the status bar says to identify the element. This means to move the pointer to the element and click on it. 4. Try it with one of the lines you placed. The line is now attached to the pointer and you can move it anywhere. Click again to enter a data point and place the copy. You can make as many copies as you like. Press the reset
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button to stop copying. You stay in the Copy command, but without an element attached. 5. Select Move, the second tool.
Move

6. Click on the box you placed. 7. Move the pointer and enter a data point. The original box moves to the new location. Move/Copy Parallel moves or copies parallel to original element. You can enter an exact distance in the tool settings and indicate if you want to make copies. The element is placed where the pointer is, relative to original element. 8. The move parallel command is very powerful. For example, when laying out a floor plan, you can draw parallel lines to locate column centerlines or other key locations such as walls. 9. Also, note that you can move lines, arcs and even Bezier curves parallel. 10. Try Scale, Rotate, Mirror copy and Construct Array on your own.

Move Parallel

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Lesson 5 - Modifying Elements The Modify tools do what their name implies. MicroStations Modify tool box is shown so you can see all the Modify tools.
Extend Element to Intersection Extend Modify Element Insert Vertex Construct Circular Fillet

Partial Delete Extend Elements to Intersection Trim Elements Modify Element

Construct Chamfer Delete Vertex Used to move vertices and line segments, scale, modify rounded segments and shapes, change a circles radius and move dimension text Used to delete part of an element Used to extend or shorten a line or an end segment of a line string or mult-line Used to extend or shorten two lines, line strings, or arcs to their intersection Used to extend or shorten a line, line string, or arc to its intersection with another element Used to trim or cut an element or series of elements at their intersection with one or more cutting elements Used to insert a vertex, attach a line segment, extend a point curve, and add an extension line Used to delete a vertex or remove an extension line Used to construct a circular fillet between two elements, two segments of a line string, or two sides of a shape Used to construct a chamfer between two lines or adjacent segments of a line string or shape

Partial Delete Extend Extend Elements to Intersection Extend Element to Intersection Trim Elements Insert Vertex Delete Vertex Construct Circular Fillet Construct Chamfer

NOTES: (1) Extend Element not available in PowerDraft. Use Modify Element instead. (2) Trim Element not available in PowerDraft. Use IntelliTrim.

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Exercise: Experiment with modifications 1. Tear off the Modify tool box. 2. Select Modify Element and select several elements to see how each is modified in place.
Modify Element

3. Partial Delete lets you remove a portion of an element. Move the pointer to indicate which part of the object you keep and which you throw away. 4. Extend Elements to Intersection automatically extends to a point of intersection. 5. Select a line, then an element that the line can intersect with to Extend Element to Intersection.

Partial Delete

Insert Vertex

6. Select the block and pull out a fifth vertex to Insert Vertex. 7. Use Delete Vertex to delete the vertex.

Delete Vertex

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Lesson 6 - Changing Element Attributes The Change Attributes tools are as follows.
Change to Active Fill Type Change Element Attributes Change Multiline Definition SmartMatch

Change to Active Area Modify Line Style Attributes Change Element Attributes Change to Active Area (Change Element to Active Area) Change to Active Fill Type (Change Element to Active Fill Type) Modify Line Style Attributes Change Multiline Definition (Change Multiline to Active Definition) Match Element Attributes SmartMatch (Match All Element Settings)

Match Element Attributes

Used to change selected attributes of an element(s) such as level, color, line style, line weight or class Used to change the area attribute of a closed element(s) (shapes, ellipses, complex shapes, or B-spline curves) to the Active Area Used to change a closed element to the Active Fill Type which are none (no fill), opaque (filled with Active color), and outlined and to change the Active color Used to interactively modify the line style attributes of an element with a custom line style Used to change a multi-lines attributes to the active multi-line definition Used to change the active element attribute settings so they match the attributes of an element in the design Used to change all active element attribute settings, including those specific to particular element types, so they match the attributes of an element in the design

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Exercise: Change an elements attributes 1. Close all of the tool boxes you have opened by clicking the x in the upper right corner. 2. Tear off Change Attributes tool box. 3. Select Change Element Attributes.
Change Element Attributes

4. In the tool settings, click the Color check box to enable it. 5. Click on the color option list next to it and select a color. Click on any element and see its color change.

Depending on the version of the software you are using, check the Attributes tool bar after using Change Element Attributes to be sure the attributes are set as you want for the file. Exercise - Schematic

In this lab you will draw the simple schematic diagram shown. You will construct rectangles, polygons, lines and text; and learn how to copy elements. This exercise introduces new concepts so be sure to watch the command and prompt at the bottom of your screen as you follow these step by step instructions. Create a new design file 1. Select File > New. 2. Enter a name for the new file in the Files field of the New file dialog box. 3. Click the Select button at the bottom of the dialog box.
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4. In the Select Seed File dialog box, select seed2D.dgn. You may have to navigate to \Program Files\Bentley\Workspace\system\seed to find it. 5. Click OK. 6. Click OK to open the new file for work. 7. Click on Settings > Design File, then select the Working Units Category. 8. Change to inches as the master unit by clicking on Master Units and selecting Inches. 9. The Sub Unit is set to mils. (This really doesnt matter in this exercise as you will only use the inches master unit.) 10. The design is set up for Master units of inches, Sub units of thousandths of an inch (mils). 11. Select the Coordinate Readout Category and make sure it is set to master units. Since you chose inches as the master unit, this will cause MicroStation PowerDraft to show you coordinates in inches and decimals of inches rather than using a colon separating master and sub units. 12. Click OK.

13. Reopen the DGN File Settings dialog box and select the Grid Category. Click the Grid Lock check box to enable it. This will restrain your drawing to whole tenths of an inch, adequate for this schematic. 14. Click OK.

If you cant see the grid, first, click on Settings > View Attributes and click the Grid check box. Then, Zoom In in the design a few times to see the grid. MicroStation PowerDraft automatically turns off the grid if grids get too close together. The dim points you see are the master grid and the bright ones are the reference grids. Start the schematic 1. Select Place Block with the following tool settings. Method: Orthogonal, Area: Solid, Fill Type: None. The prompt in the status bar for the next operation is Enter First Point.
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Place Block

2. Place the pointer over one of the grids and enter a data point. 3. Drag the pointer diagonally opposite rectangle corner one reference grid to the right and two down. 4. Enter a data point. The prompt reads Enter first point again. MicroStation PowerDraft is ready for you to enter another rectangle. 5. Instead, click on the Element Selection tool at the top of the Main tool frame. 6. Select the Copy tool.
Copy

7. Move Take the pointer to the upper left corner of the rectangle you already placed and enter a data point. 8. Reject the selection by pressing the reset button. The status bar prompt is back to asking you to Identify element. 9. Move the pointer close to a corner of the first rectangle. 10. Press the data button to enter a data point.

11. Move the rectangle copy two bold reference grid points to the right and click on the reference point. A new copy appears. 12. Move the pointer 2 more reference points to the right and enter a data point. 13. Press the reset button.

Element Selection

You have successfully placed three rectangles of identical dimensions precisely on a grid. If you inadvertently placed an extra rectangle, or if one is at the wrong location, select the Element Selection tool, click on the incorrect rectangle, then click on the Delete tool at the bottom of the Main tool frame.

Delete Element

Try this with one of the good rectangles. Now select the Edit menu and then entry Undo delete element. The rectangle reappears. Continue with the schematic 1. Select Place SmartLine from the Main tool frame. The status bar prompts you to Enter first vertex.
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Place SmartLine

2. Move the pointer to a point on the right side of first rectangle and enter a data point. 3. Move the pointer to the left side of the middle rectangle, keeping the line horizontal. 4. Enter a data point. 5. Now press the reset button. This disconnects the line and you are ready to enter the first point of another line. 6. Move the pointer to begin the next line and repeat the previous steps to draw all lines representing the conductors in the schematic. 7. To draw the connectors at the ends of each line, you will use a regular polygon. Move the pointer to Place Block and tear off the Polygons tool box.
Place Regular Polygon t l

8. Select Place Regular Polygon. 9. Move pointer to the end point of one of the lines. 10. Enter a data point to place the center of the polygon at the end of the line. 11. Move pointer and then enter a data point to set the polygon radius. 12. Select Copy.

Copy

13. Enter a data point on the polygon. If you accidentally get the rectangle or the line, press reset to reject. Keep rejecting until the polygon is selected. 14. Place four copies of the polygon at the connection of each line with a rectangle. 15. Select the Element menu and then Text Styles.

16. Select the Engineering font from the list of fonts. Change Height and Width to 0.2 inches by clicking in the field next to the label and entering the value. This will make lettering on your drawing .2 inches wide by .2 high. Close the Text Styles dialog box by clicking the x in upper right corner.

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Place Text

17. Select Place Text from the Main tool frame. The Text Editor appears. 18. Type in the numeral 1.

19. Move the pointer and see the dynamic numeral 1. Enter a data point near connector 1 on your design. 20. Click in the Text Editor and press the Backspace key to erase the 1. 21. 22. Type in the numeral 2. Place it near connector 2 in the schematic.

23. Repeat for all five connectors and your first drawing is complete.

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Summary In summary, you have seen that you can: 1. Create a new design file. 2. Set up your working units. 3. Setup the grid. 4. Work with the grid-lock on. 5. Create graphics with blocks, lines and polygons. 6. Setup the text size. 7. Annotate your design. 8. Edit by deleting graphics. 9. Undo a command. 10. Copying graphics. You are prepared to create more complex designs at this point.

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CHAPTER 3 MENU SURVEY Now that you are somewhat comfortable with MicroStation PowerDraft, lets do a menu survey to see what other things you can do and what other functions you need to learn. Click on each menu listed as you read this chapter. This is intended to give you an overview of generally what functions are available and where they can be found. File menu

Open- This allows you to open a previously created file. Use the scroll bar to scroll up and down the list or change folders. Close - Closes the file you are working on and takes you back to the MicroStation Manager. Save As - You can save a design under another name. This is an easy way to make a back up. Also, this is where you save a dgn file as a dwg or dxf, or save a dwg as a dgn file which is like import/export. Compress Design - When you add and delete elements, all data is kept so you can undo. When you compress the file, all deleted elements are thrown away. Save Settings - Keep settings for the next time this design is opened. Reference - View a separate design while working on the current one. Great for things like drawing electrical fixtures on someone elses floor plan. Raster Manager - Like References, but, for viewing raster image files such as photographs or scanned drawings. Models - You can actually have several designs stored in the same file. Each separate design is called a model. They can be 2D or 3D models. We will work with one model per file.

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Import - Bring a design into MicroStation PowerDraft in any of several formats (eg IGES, etc). Export- Send a MicroStation PowerDraft design file out in one of the other formats. Print Preview - Shows how your design will look if printed with current settings. Print - Where you go to produce a hardcopy of your design. If you use the Windows driver, you can plot to any windows device. Batch Print - Gives you the ability to print a whole set of drawings Associate - Associate any file type with what you want MicroStation PowerDraft to do with it. Such as a tiff file to open Display Image. Then, you can drag and drop that file type on the MicroStation PowerDraft icon, and it will load and run. Properties - Shows the properties of this design file. Send - An email of your current design file. The list of files at the end is a history of recently opened files. Click on one to open it right up. Exit - To leave MicroStation PowerDraft and return to the operating system.

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Edit menu

Undo - Reverse the effect of most recent command. Redo - Reverse UNDO. Set Mark - Marks a spot so UNDO Other can work back to the mark. Cut/Copy - Cut puts highlighted graphics on clip board and deletes from screen. Copy puts a copy on the clipboard. Paste - Puts contents of clipboard in the design. Show Clipboard Group - Puts selected elements in a group. Ungroup - Ungroups elements. Lock- Locks selected items (cant change) until Unlock is selected. Find/Replace Text - To locate text on your drawing and replace with other text. Select All - Creates a Group of all elements in drawing. ( Reload your first design and try this). To ungroup, click on an empty area of the screen. Select By Attributes - Creates a Group by selecting elements with same level, color, line style, object type, etc. A group can then be manipulated using the Manipulate tool bar. Use Group and UnGroup to temporarily turn group off and on. Insert Object - Microsoft OLE (Object Linking and Embedding). Allows inserting an object. Update Links - Update the links from this file to the OLE object. Links - Set up links.

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ELEMENT Menu

B-splines and 3D - Change characteristics of Bezier curve tool (only available in full MicroStation). Cells - To attach cell library, create cell from geometry or select cell to be placed. Dimensions - Sets up dimensioning characteristics such as line style, tolerance, units etc. Line Style - To setup custom line styles. Multi-lines - Sets up definition of Multi-lines such as line style of each line, spacing between etc. Tags - Attach text descriptors to graphics objects for later reporting. To choose Tags, select Element, then Tags. Text Styles - Set text properties (width, height, font) and save as a style. Or, load a style Information - Choose this and then click on an element. See information about the element displayed. Double click on the element to bring up a dialog box. If you edit information in this box and click Apply, it will change the element.

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SETTINGS Menu

Tool Settings - Turn them off (but they come back automatically) Manage - Pre-saved groups of settings that are useful for a particular type of drafting, eg ANSI Y14.5 geometric tolerancing. AccuDraw - Set up AccuDraw. Color Table - Where you change the color table, the colors used for a design file. Database - To link to external databases. Design File > Active Angle - For rotating, angle lock etc. Design File > Coordinate Readout - Format and precision for dimensions. To choose Coordinate Readout, select Settings, then Design File. Design File > Grid - To set up grids and turn grid lock on, select Settings, then Design file. Design File > Working units - Set up working units for a drawing or model. To choose Working Units, select Settings, then Design File. Level - To display levels and setup level names and symbols. Locks - Full dialog box for all types of locks. Camera - To setup camera position, angle, etc. Rendering - To setup for lighting, material mapping, etc. Snaps - To set snap modes. View Attributes - To toggle aspects of what you see such as the grid, fill color, etc.

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Settings menu: Snaps menu You can open the Snaps menu from the icon in the status bar at the bottom of the screen or from Settings > Design File > Snaps. The snaps that will be shown on the Snaps menu depend on the current active drawing tool. Only the snaps that are available for the current tool will be displayed. To see the maximum, activate the Place SmartLine and then select the snaps icon. Or, select Button Bar from the status bar menu. Nearest - Snap to the geometrically closest point. Keypoint - Snap to the nearest logical point (end point of line, center of circle, vertex of rectangle, etc....). Midpoint - Snap to the nearest entity or complex chain midpoint. Center - Snap to the center of nearest object. Origin - To origin of cell or text string. Bisector - Bisector of entity. Intersection - To intersection of two elements. Tangent - A line tangent to circle or arc, sliding around. tangent from - As above, but, starting from point selected. Perpendicular - A line starting from another and perpendicular to it, but slides. perpen from - As above but starts at exactly the point chosen. Parallel - Parallel to a line. There is a great deal of overlap. The main snaps are keypoint, center, intersection, origin, tangent, perpendicular and parallel. The active snap mode is indicated by the diamond on the menu. To change mode, hold down the shift key and select another or double click the icon for the new mode. The mode can be overridden for one snap only if desired by clicking once. Procedure for snapping - Traditionally, snapping has been a multistep process:
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1. Set the snap mode or method to what is desired, keypoint, nearest or other. 2. Move pointer near the point to be snapped to. 3. Press the left and right mouse buttons or the middle button of a 3 button mouse. See Workspace > Button Assignments to change. 4. Watch the large crosshair appear on the point. 5. Press the data button to accept or right click to reject. AccuSnap - Shows you the snap points automatically in keypoint mode. All you need do is move the pointer until the yellow x icon appears near the snap point, and then press the data button. Your point will be snapped automatically. AccuSnap Settings - To turn AccuSnap on or off, to turn automatic element highlight on or off, use the settings which are found by clicking the snap icon in the status bar and selecting AccuSnap.

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Tools menu The more common tool boxes are listed when you click Tools from the main menu. To see all the tool boxes, click Tools > Tool Boxes. Attributes - Displays or closes the attributes tool bar portion of Primary Tools. Primary Tools - Displays bar with graphic for color, level, line weight, line style information and AccuDraw.

Standard - Adds to Primary tool bar: open file, new file, save, print, cut, copy, paste, undo, redo, help.

Main - The main tool frame for tools to draw lines, fence, blocks, etc. 3D Drawing - Only active for a file declared to be a 3D file. To get to this tool bar, select Tools > Tool Boxes. Auxiliary Coordinates - Active in 3D.

Database - For attaching and detaching a database.

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Multi-line Joints - How to handle intersections, caps, etc.

References - Manipulation of attached references.

Tool Boxes - Lists all individual tool boxes.

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Utilities menu Here are a number of utilities that are useful. Key-in allows you to key-in commands and distances rather than graphic selections. Cell Selector is very useful for placing cells. Render for shading a 3D model. Install Fonts to bring True Type or other outside fonts into MicroStation PowerDraft and more. Since version V8, MicroStation PowerDraft automatically picks up all truetype and AutoCAD shx fonts, if available.

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Workspace menu Allows you to select from a number of different options for your set up. You may not need to use options here. The rest of this course is based on the way MicroStation PowerDraft installs, without changes. Preferences - For setting up user preferences. Function Keys - Can be assigned functions. By default, F1 is Help, etc. Button assignments - To change the function of mouse or digitizer buttons. Go here if you have a three button mouse. Change the center button to function as the snap button, the left to be the data button and the right to be used as the reset button.

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Window menu Open/Close - To open or close any of the 8 views permitted per file. Cascade - View 1 on top, view 2 next with corner visible, view 3.... Tile - Divide up the screen evenly between all views. Arrange - Takes up available screen space with open views.

Summary You are now able to open and create drawing files, navigate the menus, add, manipulate and edit elements and you have familiarity with the menu structure. From this point, we will slow down and go more deeply into the most commonly used functions, gaining more hands-on experience.

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CHAPTER 4 INPUT OF PRECISE GEOMETRIC DATA A very useful feature of MicroStation PowerDraft for precise technical drawing is key-in of coordinate data. Whenever MicroStation PowerDraft calls for entry of coordinate data, the data may be entered via the mouse and graphic pointer via coordinates entered from the keyboard.

There are two ways to key-in coordinate data from the keyboard: using key-in commands using AccuDraw

Lesson 7 - Key-In of Coordinate Data Using Key-In Commands

MicroStation PowerDraft allows you to input data point values with the keyboard instead of the mouse. This means that you can create elements that are a certain size, or a certain distance from another element. You can also use key-in input to specify the exact location that you want an element to be placed. Remember, to use key-ins, select Utilities, then Key-in to open the Key-in browser. The xy= Key-in command MicroStation PowerDraft allows you to place data points by specifying their absolute coordinate positions, i.e. relative to the global origin. This feature is most frequently used to indicate the exact position for an elements origin point. The key-in command that you use to specify coordinate position is xy=. The format for this key-in is: xy=x coordinate,y coordinate

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The values for the X and Y coordinates should be specified in working units format, and they can be either a positive or negative value. Here is how you might use this key-in.

You want to create a line with initial point at the global origin of the design plane. Here are the steps you would follow to create this line: 1. Select the Place SmartLine tool.
Place SmartLine

2. Key in xy=0,0<enter> in the Input field of the Key-in utility. 3. Complete the command by entering a data point to visually place the lines end point or enter another xy= key-in to specify the exact coordinates for the lines end point. NOTE: The xy= key-in uses the drawing coordinate system. So the coordinates you enter are always placed relative to the global origin. The dx= and dl= Key-in Commands You can use the dx= and dl= key-in commands to place a data point at an offset distance from a previous data point or current tentative point. The format for each of these key-ins is shown. dx=delta x,delta y dl=delta x,delta y The delta values for X and Y are entered in working units format and they can be positive or negative. The only difference between these two key-ins is that dx= uses the view coordinate system and dl= uses the drawing coordinate system. Unless you are working in a rotated view, you will not see a difference between these two key-ins. Here is how you might use these key-ins. You want to create a line that is 5 feet in length, and its origin point is 3 feet to the right of an existing element. Here are the steps needed to create this line.
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1. Select the Place SmartLine tool.

Place SmartLine

2. Tentative snap to the right side of the existing element, but dont accept the tentative location. 3. Key in dx=3,0. This indicates that you want the origin point of the line to be shifted three feet to the right of the current tentative point. 4. Key in dx=5,0. This indicates that the end point for the line is 5 feet from the previous data point.

The di= Key-in Command The di= key-in allows you to place a data point in polar coordinates by referencing a previous data point or a current tentative point. Here you specify the distance and the angular direction of the next data point. The format for this key-in is: di=distance, direction (angle) Distance is entered in working units. Valid angle values range from 0 to 360 measured counterclockwise from positive x. They can be whole numbers or decimal values down to one ten-thousandth of a degree. Here is how you might use this key-in. You want to create a rectangle that is exactly two feet wide and three feet high. Here are the steps needed to create this rectangle. 1. Select the Place SmartLine tool. 2. Enter the origin point for the rectangle. You might do this by visually selecting a data point, entering xy= to specify the exact coordinates, or by entering dx= to offset from the previous data point or current tentative point. 3. Key in the following to draw the rectangle: di=2,0 di=3,90 di=2,180 di=3,270 NOTE: This key-in uses the view coordinate system, so the angle is always relative to the screen orientation, not the files axes.
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Key-In of coordinate data using AccuDraw

AccuDraw can be opened by clicking on the AccuDraw icon. This will open a coordinate dialog box showing X and Y coordinates. As an example of how to operate AccuDraw, do the following: 1. Start a line anywhere. Move the pointer so the line is horizontal. Note how the line highlights to indicate that it is horizontal. Vertical works the same way. 2. Move the pointer horizontally to the right and then type 5 (dont press Enter). AccuDraw will draw the line 5 units in the X direction. Enter a data point to set the line. 3. Move pointer straight up and then type 3. The line is 3 units in the Y. Enter a data point to set the line. 4. Press the space bar to switch between xy mode and polar coordinate mode in AccuDraw. In the polar coordinate mode you enter distance and angle in the AccuDraw window. 5. When drawing a line, press Enter to set Smart Lock. Smart Lock will lock the direction in either X or Y, depending on the direction at the time you press Enter. 6. To start a line at a known distance from a point, first tentative snap to the known point, but dont accept. Then, press the letter O on the keyboard. Move pointer using soft lock as in step 1. Type distance from known point and then enter a data point to set beginning of new line. A useful feature of AccuDraw is an enhancement of the previous keyin command. With input focus in the AccuDraw window, press the p key. Note the dialog box says x,y= with a box to input a number. Here you type the coordinate pair, just as in Lesson 7, and accept. AccuDraw has already entered the letters x y and = for you. You do need to press Enter after entering the two coordinates. If you practice these steps you will find that AccuDraw is the easiest way to enter precise coordinates. We will work with AccuDraw more in later exercises.
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Exercise - Stepped-Shaft You will use key-in of coordinate data to create the design file for the shaft as shown.

1. Select File then New. Select seed2D.dgn as the seed file. Use your first name for the file name. 2. Select Settings > Design File, Working Units Category. Set up master working units of inches. 3. Select Coordinate Readout. 4. Set the Coordinates Format to Master Units and the Coordinate Accuracy to 0.12. Coordinates will be displayed as 1.25 in. (rather than 1:2.5). 5. Click OK. 6. If not enabled, enable AccuDraw by clicking Toggle AccuDraw on the Primary tool bar. 7. Select Place Block. 8. Make sure the input focus is in the AccuDraw window.
Place Block

Fit View

9. To place first rectangle with a corner at 0,0 press the P key and type in 0,0 then Enter. Move the screen pointer to the right of the first point and type 4 (without pressing Enter). Then, move the pointer straight up and type 4 (without pressing Enter). Finally, accept by entering a data point. 10.Fit View to see the 4 x 4 inch rectangle.
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11.Use AccuDraw to place the second rectangle. Select Place Block, then tentative snap to the lower right corner of the first rectangle without accepting. With AccuDraw having the input focus, press O for Origin to set the origin. The AccuDraw compass should now be located at the lower right corner of the first rectangle. Move the pointer up along the rectangles right side, type 1 and enter a data point. This places the first point of the second rectangle. Move the pointer to the right and type 6. Then, move the pointer up, type 2 and enter a data point. Fit View to see the second, 6 x 2 inch, rectangle.
Construct Chamfer tool

8. Select Construct Chamfer from the Modify tool box. In the tool settings, set both distances to .125 (1/8). Click on the right hand vertical edge of 6 x 2 rectangle. Then, click above, on the horizontal edge of the same rectangle. Accept. Note one corner has been chamfered to 1/8. Click anywhere in the view to accept. Repeat on the lower right corner of the same rectangle. 9. Draw the vertical line at the chamfer by snapping, using the default keypoint snap, at the top and bottom. Remember the sequence for snapping. First, move the pointer near the point to be snapped to. Usually it is best to put it right on a line near, but not on, the snap point. In this case, on the horizontal line near, but not on, the chamfer point. Then, press both buttons or the middle button on your mouse. A large crosshair will appear. MicroStation PowerDraft is asking you if it snapped to the right point. If OK, enter a data point to accept the tentative point. If not OK, press reset and try again. If AccuSnap is active, you will see the element highlight and the yellow x icon by the point. Just enter a data point to accept the snap point. 10. Reset to disconnect the line. 11. Select the line style options in the Attributes tool bar. Select the centerline style. 12.Place the centerline by snapping to the center of the vertical edge of the rectangles. 13.Then use Modify Element to extend the line to make the centerline as long as you like. 13. Pan the view to the right to make room for the end-view circles. Pan by using the scroll bars or using the Pan view control.
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14.Change the line style back to solid. 15.Draw the circle representing the O. D. of the small shaft. Locate the center by snapping to the centerline and then set a 2 diameter or 1 radius in the tool settings. Draw the large circle similarly. 16. To draw the small circle representing the chamfer, place the center of the small circle as described and then use AccuDraw to place a point on the circle by dragging the pointer horizontally to the right and typing 0.875. 17. Select Element > Text. Set text Height and Width to 0.200. 18. Select Dimension Element from the Main tool frame.
Dimension Element

19. Follow the status bar prompts to place the 4 side of the large rectangle. Just click on the side to be dimensioned. 20. For the 10 dimension, select Dimension Size with Arrows. Note the placement sequence: snap to the corner of the shaft. Move the pointer straight to the far right end and click to set the length. Then, move the pointer straight up to set the extension lines. Accept 10 dimension. Add more dimensions: 1. Reset to return to the beginning of the sequence. 2. Select Dimension Element.

Dimension Size with Arrows

Dimension Element

Note the tool settings for different ways of dimensioning a circle. 3. Identify the 2 circle. Accept. Identify the .875 radius circle. 4. Accept. (If you want a horizontal line on your leader, select Element Dimension Styles > Text > Orientation > Horizontal. The leader will be automatic). 5. Place center marks for circles. The easy way is to use Dimension. 6. Element and select Radius in the tool settings and enable Centermark. Summary

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You have completed a medium complexity mechanical drawing including chamfering, key-in of precise coordinates and dimensioning. We will go more deeply into dimensioning in a later chapter. But, you are already prepared for schematics and normal mechanical drafting with MicroStation PowerDraft.

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CHAPTER 5 WORKING WITH GROUPS There will be times when you need to perform the same operation on several elements. This can be done by repeating the operation for each individual element, or by temporarily grouping the elements and performing the operation once for the entire group. This chapter covers two different ways that you can create these temporary groups in MicroStation PowerDraft. Lesson 8 - Fences One way that you can group elements in a design file is to place a fence around them. Once a fence has been placed, you can move, copy, scale, rotate, delete, or change the attributes of elements that are in the fence. There are three important things that you need to know about fences: A fence is a temporary structure that you can use to group elements. It is not an element and it is not saved as part of the design. Place a fence by selecting the Fence tool. To turn a fence off, click on the same tool. Only one fence can exist in a design file at any time. Fences can be in one of six different modes. These modes determine which elements are considered to be fenced. You can set the fence mode when you create it, when you perform an operation that uses it, or at any time from the Settings > Locks > Full dialog box. The three most common fence modes are: Inside - Only elements that lie entirely inside the fence will be affected. Overlap - Elements that lie inside or those that overlap any portion of the fence will be affected. Clip - This mode is similar to the Overlap mode. It too will affect elements that lie inside the fence or ones that overlap any portion of it. The difference is that this mode will actually break overlapping elements at the points where they touch the fence. So only the portions of the broken elements that lie inside the fence will be changed. It is important to realize that any element that is broken by a fence clip operation no longer maintains its original element properties.

Place Fence tool

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The Fence tool box

You can use these tools to place, modify, or move a fence. There is also a tool that allows you to delete the elements in the fence. The three most common tools:
Place Fence

Place Fence - You can use this tool to place a rectangular fence. When you activate this tool, you will be prompted to enter two data points. These data points will be the diagonal vertices of the fence. Delete Fence Contents - Unlike the other tools, this tool will affect only the elements within the fence. When you select this tool, you will be prompted to confirm the deletion with a data point. A data point anywhere in an open view will confirm this action and delete the contents of the fence. Remember that the current fence mode will determine which elements are deleted. Manipulate Fence Contents Essentially, any modification that can be applied to elements can also be applied to fenced groups. Exercise: Changing fence contents 1. Select Place Fence from the Fence tool box. 2. Enter data points to place the corners of the fence so they include the circles from previous exercise.

Delete Fence Contents

Change Element Attributes

3. Select Change Element Attributes with the following tool settings. Use Fence: Enabled and set to Inside, Color: Enabled and set to 3 (red). 4. Enter a data point in the view. All of the circles will change color. 5. Reset. This same steps will change level, line style or any attribute. Or, you could delete, move, or copy the contents.
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The Manipulate Fence Contents tool setting have several manipulation options. Open the Operation options to see that you can copy, move rotate and more. Other tools on the fence tool bar let you modify a fence shape after it has been placed and remove the complex status from complex elements that are fenced. To remove a fence from the design, click the fence tool again.

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Lesson 9 - The Element Selection Tool Another way to temporarily group elements is to use the Element Selection tool. This tool allows you to select a single element, a group of elements, or all elements that lie in a specified area. When an element or group of elements has been selected with this tool, handles will display around the elements. They can now be changed or manipulated the same way you would change or manipulate any single element. To select a single element
Element Selection

1. Select Element Selection from the Main tool frame. 2. Identify the desired element. The element will now have edit handles around it, indicating that it is selected. To select multiple elements 1. Select Element Selection from the Main tool frame. 2. Press the Ctrl key on the keyboard and hold it. Click on each desired element. Continue until all the desired elements are selected. This creates what is called a selection set. When creating a selection set, once an element is selected, if you click on it again it will be deselected. To select all the elements within an area 1. Select Element Selection from the Main tool frame. 2. Position the pointer at one corner of the area that you want to select and press and hold the data button. Drag the dynamic fence that you see to the opposite corner of the area and release the data button. All elements that lie completely inside this area will have edit handles around them, indicating that they are selected. If you press and hold the Ctrl and Shift keys while dragging across elements, any element that lies inside or overlaps the area will be selected.

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Exercise - Sprinkler Protector In this exercise you will create the Plan and Section view of a sprinkler protector shown in the following graphic.

Create the protector 1. Select File > New. 2. Enter any file name (ex: EXER3) in the Files field.
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3. In the Seed File section, make sure the selected seed file is seed2d.dgn. 4. Click OK. 5. Select Settings > Design File, then the Working Units Category. 6. Set Master Units to inches with the Label . Set Sub Units to mils. 7. Click the lock icon in the status bar to open the locks menu. Make sure that Grid does not have a check mark next to it. The Grid lock should be off. You can also turn the grid off by selecting Settings > View Attributes and disabling the Grid check box then click Apply. 8. Draw the rectangle and two concentric circles of the plan view using AccuDraw. 9. Place the circle center by changing the active snap to Center and then snap to an edge of the rectangle.
Fit View

10.

Fit View to see the entire rectangle.

11. You will draw one half of the section view and use the Mirror tool to create the other half. Space the Section View down from the plan. 12. Use AccuDraw and AccuSnap. Move the pointer to the lower left corner of the rectangle until the yellow x is on the corner. Press the letter O on the keyboard. Then move the pointer straight down, with AccuDraw indexed to vertical (the heavy white line indicates that it is indexed) to make the first point of the section. Enter a data point. Move the pointer to the right and press 6, but dont press Enter. Then, move the pointer up and press 2, then enter a data point. Now press the letter V to reorient to the view. Move the pointer down, press 6, then enter a data point. Move left, press Enter to lock to the X, then snap to the first point. Close the section by snapping again to the upper left point. 13. Draw the remainder of the left half of section.

14. Place a few 3-sided polygons and points to represent the concrete. You will learn about automatic patterning later. 15. Select Place Fence.
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16. Move the pointer a couple of inches above and to left of the section, and enter a data point. 17. Move the pointer a couple of inches below and to the right, and enter a data point. 18. You will see a colored rectangle surrounding the left half section. 19. Select the Mirror tool from the Modify tool box with the following tool settings. Mirror About: Horizontal, Make Copy: Enabled, Use Fence: Enabled and set to Inside. Be sure you are set to make a copy, otherwise you will mirror the original geometry.

Mirror

20. The Mirror tool is now expecting you to accept the contents of the fence and supply it with the line about which it will mirror. Click at the exact center of the plan. Hint: use the Keypoint snap, and snap to center of horizontal line in the top view. 21. You will see the geometry copied and mirrored to create the right side of the section. You will see another copy, as MicroStation PowerDraft assumes you want to continue. Reset to end the command 22. Finish the remainder of the drawing as in the Stepped Shaft exercise.

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Summary and Review You can now manipulate groups of elements as well as operating on individual elements. This is a good point at which to review what you have learned, as you are capable of preparing fairly complex working drawings. File navigation Create a new file, using a seed file to get it started, or File > Open an existing file. Menus If you are keyboard oriented you have probably already begun to memorize the power keys. If so, check the list of abbreviated key-in commands in the appendix and use the Key-in browser to learn the key-ins for commands. Working Units and the grid Go to Settings > Design File, and select Working Units to set up working units for any new design file. Select the Grid category to set up the grid. Main Tool Frame You will always want this tool frame open. Panning and view controls in the middle of a command Pan the drawing using the Pan view control, using the scroll bars or by pressing the Shift key and data and button at the same time, moving the pointer right, left, up, or down to pan. Note that after panning or any view control, you can return to the command you were in by resetting. Data-Reset-Tentative Use the left mouse button to select command, or accept a point (enter a data point). Use the right button to reset to the beginning of a continuous operation like entering lines, or to reject a selection. Press both buttons simultaneously, or use the center button, to enter a tentative point. If the snap lock is on,
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pressing both buttons will tentatively snap according to mode set in the Snap menu. AccuSnap Use it to automatically snap to elements, using the active snap mode. Accept/Reject Many commands prompt you to Accept/Reject a selection. For example, if you want to delete the contents of a fence, MicroStation PowerDraft will prompt you to Accept/Reject the fence contents. You must answer that question before going on. Use the data button to accept and the reset button to reject. If you reject, you will be ready to try again. Tool Settings This opens it automatically whenever you select a tool. Always check it after selecting a tool, as it gives you the options for that command. Status bar Remember to watch status bar at the bottom of the screen. You may not be where you thought. Manipulating & modifying elements The tools for changing elements already in a design are found in four tool boxes off the Main tool frame. Row 11 - Manipulate (copy, move, mirror, etc.) Row 12 - Change element attributes Row 13 - Modify (delete partial, scale, extend two lines...) Row 14 Delete Element To find a tool, move the pointer over the first tools icon and watch for the tool tip or press the data button on it and check the status bar. Input focus Remember that, like any Windows program, the input focus must be in the dialog box that you want to enter data into. To
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change focus to a dialog box, click on it, or press Esc until it has focus. AccuDraw To start it, click on Toggle AccuDraw in Primary Tools tool bar. With input focus on the AccuDraw Window you can key in values. The most popular shortcuts are: 1) Enter a data point, then move the pointer in the direction you want the next point to be. Enter the coordinate change and enter a data point again to accept. If you see the heavy white line, you know you are indexed to the x or y direction, like the line. This works for drawing a line, for the radius of an arc, for moving an element, or any command that requires a coordinate change. 2) To enter an absolute coordinate, press P and type the coordinate pair separated by a comma, followed by pressing Enter. 3) If using AccuDraw to enter two coordinate changes (like a line on an angle or a rectangle), move the pointer in the first direction until you see the heavy line, enter the first number without entering a data point mouse or pressing Enter. Then, move the pointer in the second direction, enter the second number, and enter a data point. 4) If you want to start a line offset from a known point, tentative snap to the known point without accepting. Then, press in the letter O (representing Origin). Follow step 1 or 3 to set the start of the line. Company standards in seed files One of the first places for any company to standardize is their seed files. To set up a company standard seed file, just modify seed2d.dgn to suit, and then save the result with an appropriate name in the path of seed files (usually Program Files\Bentley\Workspace\system\seed). From then on, you use the companys standard seed file to start all new files. Important: Be sure everyone in your company uses the same seed files.

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CHAPTER 6 USING LEVELS A design file consists of any number of levels. A level is a way of separating CAD data much in the same way as a clear sheet of acetate is used by an architect on pindrafting. For example, you might put your floor plan design on level 1, your dimensions on level 10 and furniture symbols on level 20. If you turn all levels on, you see the floor plan, dimensions and furniture. Or, if you turn off level 10 and 20 you will only see the floor plan. Using levels allows you to work on only one part of a design at a time without clutter. It also facilitates communication. You might turn off the furniture when sending the file to an electrical designer who only needs the floor plan. Also, levels facilitate printing actual working designs. From one file you can make a dimensioned designs for the framer or a design with the floor plan and furniture for the interior designer, just by turning levels on and off. Each of the eight design views can be set up to display a different combination of levels. Lesson 10 - Level Manager & Level Display Dialog Boxes Level Manager dialog box This is used to create and delete levels and optionally to set the color, line style and line weight for that level if using ByLevel option for those attributes. Open it by selecting Settings > Level > Manager.

To create a level Select Levels > New. A new level is added to the level list. Click on any item that you wish to change to set attributes. Click on the name New Level and enter the new name for the level. Click on the Number or Color to change those things. Click on the
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check mark under Display to turn the levels display on or off. Click on any column heading to sort the list in that order.

Level Display dialog box Even though there are any number of levels that you can draw on, only one level is considered active at any given time. Any elements that you create will be placed on the active level. The Level Display dialog box can be used to set the active level and to turn levels on and off in the individual views. Open it by selecting Settings > Levels > Display or click the tool in the Primary Tools tool bar.

The level highlighted in green in the list box is currently the active level. The darkened levels indicate that they are turned on for this particular view. NOTE: Changing the active level only affects elements that are created from that point on. It does not affect any existing elements. To set a active level 1. Select Settings > Levels > Display. 2. Put the pointer on the level you want to make active and double tap click the data button. The level is highlighted in green.

To turn levels on or off 1. Single click any level that is not the active level to toggle its state. The active level is always on and cannot be turned off.
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You can also press and hold the data button and drag across several levels to turn multiple levels on or off.

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11 - Moving Elements Between Levels After elements have been added to a design, you may want to move an element or a group of them from the original level on which the elements were placed to a new level. To do that, use the Change Attributes tool. Enable the Level check box in the tool settings. Then, select the new level. Finally, identify the elements that you want changed by clicking on them and then accepting.

You can try this by changing all of the dimensions from the previous exercise to a named level. Then, in the Level Display dialog box then click on that named level. When you click All, the dimensions will disappear. Depending on the version of the software you are using, remember to check the Attributes tool bar after using Change Element Attributes to be sure you are set up as you want.

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Lesson 12 - Level Locks You can use the Level Lock feature to restrict element manipulations, so that only elements on the currently active level will be affected by certain manipulation tools. Trying to select an element on any other level for manipulation when this lock is on will cause the error message Element Not Found to appear in the status bar.

By default, the level lock is off. You can turn this lock on through the Locks dialog box. To open it, select Settings > Locks >. Enable the check box next to Level Lock to enable this lock.

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CHAPTER 7 USING MULTI-LINES The Multi-line feature of MicroStation PowerDraft is very useful for many types of designs, but especially for drawing floor plans. MicroStation PowerDraft will automatically miter the corners, join lines and cap Multi-line as you direct it. Lesson 13 - Multi-line Set Up Select Element > Multi-lines (or Multi-line Styles) top open the Multilines dialog box.

Component - To change one of the lines, the caps or the way joints are handled. Attributes - You can set the attributes of each line in the Multiline, independent of the others. Offset - The distance of each line relative to the centerline of the Multi-line. Attributes - The active attributes for each line can be overridden. Fill Color Enable the check box and then select a color.
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The image at the lower left shows how the Multi-line will look. As an example, the default Multi-line has 3 lines. Two lines are solid, spaced 1 master unit above and below the centerline. Try changing the offset for the upper line. Select the line 1:0.0000 by clicking on it under Offset in the dialog box. Edit the number to 2. When you press Enter, MicroStation PowerDraft will change it to 2:0.0000. Note the image change. Select line 0:0.0000. In the Attributes section, enable the check box for Style, leave the option at Standard and select number 2 to change line style to all dashes. Note the image change.

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Lesson 14 - Placing Multi-Lines To place a Multi-line, select Place Multi-line from the Linear Elements tool box. Place SmartLine is the first tool in this tool box. The status bar prompts Place Multi-Line, with the prompt Enter First Point. Move the pointer to where you want to enter the first point and enter a data point then move to the end point and enter another. The default is to place the line by the centerline. Move the pointer at an angle and the corner is mitered.

Place Multi-line

Lesson 15 - Cleaning up Multi-line joints After placing some arbitrary multi-lines in your drawing experiment with cleaning up the joints. Exercise: Multi-Line joints 1. Select Tools > Multi-Line Joints.

2. In the tool box, select the tools one by one and try them on your sample multi-lines. Follow this procedure: a. b. c. d. Select tool. Identify first multi-line at joint. Identify second multi-line. Enter data point to accept the joint.

The joint will be cleaned up according to the tool you selected. NOTE: Select centerlines a short distance from the joint. Also, if a joint does not clean up as you wished, reset before accepting or use Edit > Undo and then try again, clicking on the centerlines in reverse sequence.

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Exercise - Floor Plan

1. Create a New File named FLOOR.dgn. 2. Set the following Settings > Design File DGN File Settings. Working Units to: Master Unit: feet with Label Sub Unit: inches with Label Coordinate Readout: sub units with Accuracy 1/16 Grid: Master Grid 0:1.000 (every 1) Reference Grid 12 (every foot or 12) Click OK 3. On the Attributes tool bar set: Level: 1 Color: white Style: solid Weight: 0

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4. Select Element > Multi-Lines. In the Multi-line dialog box set: Select the Component Start Cap Line at Angle 90 Select the Component Lines, and check the list box which shows the location of each line that makes up the Multi-line. Note the first entry (centerline). It should be offset 0:0 and Override for centerline style. Select the second entry (lower line in figure) by clicking on it. Change its offset to -0:3, (3) (Depending on the software version you must make the change in the small box to the right of the word Offset, not in the list box. Or under the word Offset.) Select third entry. Change the offset to 0:3. This completes set up for a normal 6 wall with centerline. Close the Multi-line dialog box. 5. With AccuDraw active, trace the wall as follows: a. Zoom Out so that you see an area of about 30 x 20. You can use the measure tool, or draw a 30 x 20 block, or use the Grid to judge how large an area is covered by the screen. b. Select Place Multi-line. c. Move the pointer to near upper left of screen and enter a data point. d. Move pointer straight up, type 1 (1 long vertical wall), enter a data point. e. Move pointer straight right; type 24. Enter a data point. f. Move pointer down, type 15. Enter a data point. g. Move pointer left; type 15. Enter a data point. h. Move pointer up; type 15. Enter a data point, then press reset. i. For the 3 doorway, tentative snap on the first point of the wall, but dont accept. Press O for origin, move the pointer straight down, type 3 and then enter a data point.. The beginning of the new wall will be exactly 3 down from the first point, leaving a 3 opening. j. Move pointer down; type 9. Enter a data point. k. Move pointer right to center of vertical wall. Use AccuDraw to ensure line is horizontal. Enter a data point, then press Reset. NOTE: If you enter a string of good points and then accidentally enter a bad one, go to Edit > Undo Last Data Point and you will preserve the good work.
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Place Multi-line

6. Clean up the joint between the first and second series of Multilines:
Construct Merged Tee Joint

a. From the Tools menu, select Multi-line Joints. b. Select Construct Merged Tee Joint. c. Identify the first Multi-line at the joint by clicking the centerline. d. Click on the centerline of the intersecting wall. e. Enter a data point to accept. If the Multi-lines get distorted when you use the joint tool, reset and then select the two lines in the opposite order. The Multi-lines are now automatically joined. 7. Now create the dimensions on a separate level. First create the level dimensions: Select Settings > Level > Manager, In the dialog box, click Levels > New. Edit the new level to dimensions. Close the Level Manager. 8. Note the way dimensions will look: Select Element > Dimensions (or Dimension Styles), then the Units category. The Primary Format should be set to Architectural - Accuracy to 1/16, Label to MU label-SU Label, or X-X. 9. Select Element > Text Styles, Architectural Set Height and Width to :3 for 3 ( or .25 ft). 10. Zoom Out to see whole plan and make room for dimensions.

Zoom Out

11. Select Dimension Element from the Main tool frame (row 8). Click on the 24 wall. Drag the dimension up. Press Enter to switch between dimension with arrows and dimension with stroke marks. (PopSet must be off & Dimension Element must have Input Focus). Continue dimensioning the drawing. 12. You have completed the dimensioned floor plan.

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To view the design without dimensions, select Settings > Level > Display (or press Ctrl + E). Double click on the Default level to make it the active level, then click on dimensions to turn that level off. All the dimensions should disappear. If not, select Element > Information and double click on one of the dimensions. The dialog box shows you information about the dimension, including its level. You can change that here by selecting the dimensions level from the list and clicking Apply. Try changing the dimensions to a different level.

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CHAPTER 8

TEXT

All technical drawings require some annotation. Notes may be callouts, title block information, instructions to the shop or construction, or lists of materials. MicroStation PowerDraft provides a large number of fonts and features for setting up text and for placement and editing. Lesson 16 - Text Settings Certain settings control the text characters. The easiest way to specify these settings is through the Text Styles dialog box. This settings box is opened by selecting Element > Text Styles.

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Fonts The top line of the list box shows the name of the Text Style. The remainder of the list box shows the font, size, line spacing and other characteristics of the named Text Style. If you want to create your own style, select File > New and you will be in a new, untitled style. To select the font to use for the new style, click on Value field opposite Font. You will see a list of fonts. Select a font from the list of available ones, using the scroll bar to access additional fonts. You can see what the style will look like at the bottom of the Text Styles dialog box. Text Justification Justification is the orientation of a text element relative to the data point that is used to place it. The current text justification is shown when you click in the list box. Text Size and Spacing Also from the list box you can change, or set, the following: Height - Specify the text height, in working units, in the list box. Width - Specify the text width, in working units, in this field. Line Spacing - Set the vertical spacing, in working units, between lines in a multi-line text element, or between text and the specified element when you choose to place text above, below, or along an element. Underline - If you select this check button/box, your text will automatically be underlined. Vertical Text - Selecting this check button/box will cause your text characters to display in vertical lines instead of horizontal lines. Other settings can be made by choosing the Advanced Tab. Line Length - Specify the maximum number of characters allowed per line in a multi-line text element. This number cannot exceed 255.

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 Interchar Spacing - The distance, in working units, that you enter in this data entry field, will be the distance between each character. Fractions - You can use this check button/box to indicate that fractions, numeric characters separated by a slash, should be treated as one character. Slant - you can enter a value from -89 to +89 in this field. This will be the slant value for the individual text characters. In other words, you use this feature to create italicized text.

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Lesson 17 - Placing Text The tools on this palette are for placing, editing, and modifying text. Here are the more commonly used text placement tools.

Place Text - You can use this tool to place text elements in a design file or fill in empty text nodes. Depending on the placement method you select, text will be placed using some or all of the active text settings. The active element attributes, color, weight, and line style, and the active angle can affect the way text is placed. Place Note - This tool is used to place a line of text with a leader line and arrow as a dimension element. It is especially useful for placing geometric tolerance symbols, feature control frames, and quick notes. Match Text Attributes - This tool allows you to set the active text settings the same as the corresponding attributes of an existing text element. Change Text Attributes - This tool is used to change the attributes of an existing text element to the active text settings. Display Text Attributes - This tool allows you to see the attributes of existing text elements. Edit Text - You can use this tool to replace, add, or delete characters from existing text elements. The Place Text Tools You can use the Place Text tool to put text elements in your design file. The Method option for this tool allows you to choose how you want the text placed. Common methods are as follows.

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 By Origin - Using this method, text will be placed at the current active angle and active text settings. This method must be specified if you are filling text nodes. Fitted - This method allows you to force text to fit between two data points that you supply. The vertical alignment of the text element is determined by the active text justification. This method overrides the active angle and active text size settings. You can not use this method to place multi-line text. Above an Element - This method allows you to place text, at the active text settings, above a line or segment of a line string, shape, or multi-line. The active line spacing setting determines how far above the element the text will be placed. Below an Element - You can place text, at the active text settings, below a line or segment of a line string, shape, or multi-line with this method. The active line spacing setting determines how far below the element the text will be placed. On an Element - This method allows you to place text, at the active text settings, on a line or segment of a line string, shape, B-spline curve, or multi-line. Along an Element - You can place text along - above or below - a curve, arc, ellipse, line, line string, or shape with this method. Each character that is placed becomes a single text element that is a component of a graphic group. The characters are placed at the active text settings at a distance equal to the active line spacing.

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To place text:
Place Text

1. From the Text tool box, select the Place Text tool. The Text Editor will open if it is not already displayed.

2. From the Method option menu, select the appropriate text placement method. 3. In the Text Editor, type in the desired text. 4. Enter data point(s) to position the text. Lesson 18 - Editing Text The Edit Text tool is used to change text in existing text, text node, or dimension elements. To edit text:
Edit Text

1. From the Text tool box, select the Edit Text tool. 2. Enter a data point to identify the text element that you want to edit. 3. Enter another data point to accept the text element. The current text is now displayed in the Text Editor. 4. In the Text Editor, make the desired changes to the text. While in the Text Editor, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor, the Delete key can be used to delete the character to the left of the cursor, and use the Backspace key to delete the character to the right. Selecting and dragging over text will highlight it and put it overstrike mode. 5. Click in the view to apply the changes to the text element.

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Exercise - Notes on a Floor Plan 1. Select File > Open and open FLOOR.dgn. 2. Annotate the floor plan as shown.

3. Note that the letters should be about the same height as the walls are thick. Select Element > Text and edit Height to 0:6 (or just enter 0.5, one-half foot is the same as 6). Make the width the same. Make the line spacing 6 also. You can use the Architectural text font, or select one you like from the list of fonts.
Place Text

4. Place the text by selecting Place Text from the Main tool frame. Type in Reception and click on the floor plan to place it. 5. When all text is placed, select Edit Text.

Edit Text

If you are entering and editing a lot of text you may want to tear off the Text tool box. 6. Change some of the text already placed by identifying it, making changes then clicking to apply the changes.
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7. Change the color of some of the text by selecting it in the design using Element Selection, and selecting a new color in the Attributes tool bar. You can also change the color using Change Element Attributes. Enable and select the color in the tool settings and click on the text. You have learned how to set up text, place text in a design, edit or change text after it has been placed and how to change the attributes of the text after placement.

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CHAPTER 9 CELLS A cell is a group of elements combined into one complex element and stored in a cell library, or in a design file as a shared cell. Any cell can be easily recalled and placed, and then manipulated as a single element. Cells reduce repetitive drawing and encourage standardization. With the proper set up, any cell can be used in any design. Therefore everyone working on a project can use the same cells if they are given access to the same cell library. In order to create and use cells, there are several general steps that you need to perform. Some of these steps must be performed each time you place a cell, others only need to be performed when you enter the design file, and still others only have to be performed one time. The following outlines these general steps. Each step is also covered in more detail later in this chapter. General steps for creating and placing cells from a library: 1. Create the cell library. This step only has to be performed one time. Once you create the library it can be used to store all your cells. 2. Attach the cell library to the design file (it is already attached if you just created it). This step will only have to be performed one time for each design file you want to attach the cell library to. 3. Draw the elements that will make up the cell. 4. Group the elements that make up the cell with a fence. 5. Define a cell origin. A cell origin is the point with which the cell is placed. 6. Create the cell in the cell library. 7. Make the desired cell active and place it in the design file.

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Lesson 19 - Cell Library Creation All cells have to be stored in, and recalled from, a cell library. If no cell library is available to be used, one must be created. Creating a cell library is similar to creating a design file. The following list outlines the steps necessary for creating a cell library. To create a cell library: 1. Select Element > Cells. 2. Select File > New in the Cell Library dialog box to open the Create Cell Library dialog box. 3. Enter the name of the new library in the Name field. You can either specify a full path for the file in this field, or use the Directories list box to navigate to the desired directory. De[pending on software version you can also select it from the Directories list. MicroStation PowerDraft will automatically append the standard cell library extension, .cel, to the file name. 4. Check the Seed File portion of the dialog box to see what seed file will be used to create the new library. If the wrong file displays, click Select and choose the correct one. 5. Click OK to create the new cell library and dismiss the dialog box. Lesson 20 - Cell Library Attachment A MicroStation PowerDraft design file can have only one cell library attached at a time. But, several design files can have the same cell library attached at the same time. When you create a new cell library, that library will automatically be attached to your current design file. By default, once a cell library is attached to a design file it will remain attached until you manually detach it or attach a different one. The following steps outline the procedure for attaching cell libraries. To attach a cell library: 1. In the Cell Library dialog box, select File > Attach to open the Attach Cell Library dialog box. 2. Enter the name of the desired library in the Name field. Use the Directories and Files list boxes to navigate through the directory structure to the desired file.
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3. Click OK to attach the library and dismiss the dialog box. Lesson 21 - Creating Cells Once you have created and attached a cell library, you can begin creating and placing cells. The following list outlines the steps necessary to create a cell. To create a cell: 1. Create or attach a cell library. 2. Place the elements that will be used to create the cell. Make sure that you have the desired element attributes set when you place these elements. 3. Place a fence or use Element Selection to group the element(s) you want to include in the cell.
Define Cell Origin

4. Select Define Cell Origin. Define the origin of the cell with a data point. 5. In the Cell Library dialog box, click Create to open the Create New Cell dialog box. Fill in the appropriate information: Name - This name is limited to 512 characters that can be any combination of alphanumeric characters, periods, underscores, or commas. Alphabetic characters can be entered in uppercase or lowercase, but MicroStation PowerDraft will always convert them to uppercase. Description - This optional description can be up to 512 characters and can include space characters. The 512 limit is a Windows limitation and will change in future Window versions. Type - Choose the desired cell type from the option menu. Lesson 22 - Placing Cells The Cell Library dialog box contains a section named Active Cells. The options are used to designate a cell as the active cell, active point, active line terminator, or active pattern cell. Placement The cell name that displays beside this button is the cell that is placed when you select Place Active Cell and Place Active Cell Matrix. The word NONE will appear if no cell is currently active.
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Point The name that appears beside this button indicates which cell, if any, will be used as the active point. The active point does not have to be a cell, it can also be a zero-length line element or text character. The words, Element or Character will display beside this button if a line or character is the current active point. Do not confuse the active point with a point cell. They are two separate items. Terminator The cell name that appears beside this button is the cell that is placed with the Place Active Line Terminator tool. The word NONE will appear if no line terminator cell is currently active. Pattern The cell name that appears beside this button is the cell that will be used to pattern an element. Patterning is done with the various tools found on the Patterning tool box. The word NONE will appear if no pattern cell is currently active. To activate a cell: 1. In the Cell Library dialog box, click on a cell in the list to select it. 2. From the Active Cells section, select the appropriate button to activate the cell. The Cells tool box The tools in the Cells tool box are used for defining cell origins, placing cells, and displaying information about cells. Place Active Cell - This tool is used to place the cell that is currently active.

Place Active Cell

Place Active Cell Matrix

Place Active Cell Matrix - You can use this tool to place a matrix of the current active cell. The cells are placed at the active angle and scale on the same level(s) as in the cell definition.
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Select and Place Cell

Select and Place Cell - This tool allows you to identify an existing cell in the design, making it the active cell, and place additional instances of it.

Define Cell Origin

Define Cell Origin - You can use this tool to define the origin point for the cell. This will be the point about which the cell is placed.

Identify Cell

Identify Cell - You can display the name and level of existing cells with this tool.

Replace Cell

Replace Cell - This tool allows you to replace an existing cell with another cell of the same name from the attached cell library.

Place Active Line Terminator

Place Active Line Terminator - This tool is used to place the active line terminator cell on a line, line string, or arc. This is usually something like an arrowhead.

Cell Selector - The Cell Selector is opened from Utilities > Cell Selector. Locate the cell library to be loaded and click OK and MicroStation PowerDraft will open the tool. Clicking on the icon representing a cell will make it active for placement and Place Active Cell will be started. You can then place it. Use Active Angle and Active Scale in the tool settings to vary the angle and scale at which the cell is placed. You can have several cell libraries loaded in the same cell selector. Use File menu on the Cell Selector to load another cell library.

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Exercise - Add Symbols to the Floor Plan 1. Go to File > Open and open FLOOR.dgn. 2. Set the Level to 20 in the Attributes tool bar. You will add all symbols to level 20. 3. Select Element > Cells. 4. Select File > New from the Cell Library dialog box. Enter the name Fixture. Click OK. 5. Draw a block 2 x 2. Then place a circle in center of box. This represents a sink. 6. Place a fence around the box and circle.
Place Fence

Place Block

Place Circle

7. Select Define Cell Origin from the Cells tool box. 8. Click on corner of box/circle to for the origin, the point by which you will place this cell. 9. Select the Create button in the Cell Library dialog box. Enter the name sink and a description 10. Make the cell active by clicking Placement. You have now created a library, created a cell, added it cell to the library and made it active for placement. 11. Select Utilities > Cell Selector to place the sink. 12. Choose by clicking its icon. This automatically makes the cell active for placement and starts Place Active Cell.

Define Cell Origin

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CHAPTER 10 The Patterns tool box

PATTERNING & CROSSHATCHING

The tools in this tool box are used to pattern areas and along linear elements. Select Tools > Patterning to open it.

Hatch Area - This tool is used to hatch an area. Crosshatch Area - You can use this tool to crosshatch an area. Pattern Area - This tool allows you to pattern an area by tiling instances of the active pattern cell. Linear Pattern - You can use this tool to draw a pattern along a linear element. Show Pattern Attributes - This tool is used to display the angle and scale attributes of a pattern element. Match Pattern Attributes - You can use this tool to set the active pattern angle, scale, and delta settings to match the attributes of an existing pattern element. Delete Pattern - This tool is used to delete patterning. Lesson 23 - The Hatch Area Tool You can use this tool to hatch an area with lines. The various settings associated with this tool determine how the hatching will look and where it will be done. The available settings are: Spacing - This value is the space between the hatching lines. By default, this value is set to zero. You will receive an error message in the status bar if you do not enter some other value in this field. Values should be entered in working units format.
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 Angle - This value sets the angle at which hatching lines will be drawn. By default, this value is also set to zero. You can enter the desired angle in this field. Tolerance - When patterning along or inside a curved element, the curve is approximated with a series of line segments that are used as guides for patterning. The tolerance is the maximum distance between the element and these line segments guides. If the tolerance is small, the line segments conform closely to the curve and the approximation is more accurate, but processing time increases. If tolerance is large, line segments do not conform closely to the curve and the approximation is less accurate, but processing time decreases. Associative Pattern - If this check button/box is selected, hatching is associated with a patterned element and is automatically moved or resized when the element is manipulated or modified. If the patterning method is intersection, union, difference, or flood, a complex shape that bounds the patterned area is created, and the hatch lines are associated to the complex shape. Snappable Pattern - If this check button/box is selected, you will be able to snap to the elements in the pattern. Method - This setting determines the area that will be hatched. The items available on this option menu are: Element - The interior of a shape, ellipse, or closed Bspline curve, or between the components of a Multi-line will be patterned. Fence - The area inside the fence will be patterned. Intersection - The intersection of two or more closed elements will be patterned. Union - The union of two or more closed elements will be patterned. Difference - The difference between two or more closed elements will be patterned. Flood - The minimum area enclosed by a set of elements will be patterned.

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 Points - An area defined by a series of data points will be patterned. Each specified data point defines a vertex. Max Gap - This is the maximum distance, in working units, between the endpoints of enclosing elements when the Method is set to Flood. Lesson 24 - Crosshatch Area Tool This tool is similar to the Hatch Area tool. The tool settings and the procedures are the same, except that there are two additional fields to specify the spacing and angle of the crosshatch lines. There are two ways that you can use the Spacing and Angle boxes for the crosshatch lines: You can enter the desired angle and/or spacing, in working units, in the appropriate field. You can leave either value set to zero. If the spacing is zero, the crosshatch lines will have the same spacing as the hatch lines. If the angle is zero, MicroStation PowerDraft will automatically calculate an angle for you. This angle will be 90 degrees from the angle that you specified for the hatch lines. For example, if you leave both Angle values set to zero, the hatch lines will be at 0 degree angles and the crosshatch lines will be at 90 degree angles.

Crosshatch Area

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Lesson 25 - The Pattern Area Tool

Pattern Area

The Pattern Area tool is used to pattern an area by tiling instances of the active pattern cell. There are several settings associated with this tool that determine what cell is used, how it will be spaced, and what area will be patterned. These settings are: Pattern Cell - The cell name that appears in this field is the cell that will be used to create the pattern. You can select another cell by entering a different cell name in the tool settings, or by using the Pattern button in the Cell Library dialog box. Scale - This field is used to set the scaling factor for the pattern cell. Row Spacing - You can specify the desired spacing between rows in this field. Column Spacing - You can specify the desired spacing between columns in this field. Angle - The angle specified in this field is the angle at which instances of the pattern cell are placed. Tolerance - This value is the maximum distance between a curved element and the line segment guides used for patterning. Associative Pattern - This check button/box determines whether or not patterning will automatically adjust if the patterned element is modified. Snappable Pattern - This check button/box determines whether you can snap to the individual pattern elements. Method - You can specify the area that is patterned through this option menu. The individual items are described with the Hatch Area tool. Max Gap - This value sets the maximum distance between the endpoints of enclosing elements when the Method is set to Flood. To pattern an area using the Element, Fence, or Flood method: 1. From the Pattern tool box, select Pattern Area.

Pattern Area

2. In the tool settings, set all the desired settings.

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3. For the Element method, enter a data point to identify the element. For the Flood method, enter a data point inside the area enclosed by the set of elements. For the Fence method, skip this step. 4. Enter a data point to place the origin of one of the pattern cells. The Delete Pattern tool Most patterning operations can be undone with the Undo item from the Edit menu, but some patterning operations can be so complex that they will exceed the capacity of the undo buffer. This means that the only way to undo the patterning is to delete. The Delete Pattern tool provides a quick and easy way to do this. To delete patterning:
Delete Pattern

1. From the Pattern tool box, select Delete Pattern. 2. Enter a data point to identify the patterning that you want to delete. 3. Enter another data point to accept it. Hatching around text To hatch around text in an element, create an element and before selecting the text icon, change the Area in the tool settings from Solid to Hole. Place text inside the element then Hatch Area, making sure that Associative Pattern is disabled. Works for the Methods Element, Fence, and Points, but not for Flood. If you use the Flood method, you can just click on text or other elements that you want to hatch around and those items will be missed. Click on the down arrow on lower right of Hatch Area tool settings to find the Search for Holes option.

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Exercise - Hatch Walls 1. Open FLOOR.dgn. 2. Select Hatch Area from the Main tool frame with the following tool settings. Method: Element, Spacing: 3 (0:3), Angle: 45, Associative Pattern: Enabled. 3. Identify the Multi-line wall by clicking anywhere on the wall. It will change color and you will be prompted to Accept/Reject. Enter a data point anywhere on design file to accept. The whole wall will be hatched. This would work the same for crosshatch or pattern fill. 4. Select Edit > Undo. The hatching disappears. 5. Select Edit > Redo. The hatch is back. 6. Next, scale your laboratory room to make it 1.5 times wider: Place Fence around the right half of laboratory. Select Manipulate Fence Contents. Change Operation to Stretch. Define origin and, using AccuDraw, enter 6 then accept. The dimensions and hatch pattern adapt to the new walls. This is associative patterning.

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CHAPTER 11

DIMENSIONING

You were already introduced to dimensioning in an earlier exercise. As you can see, the basics of dimensioning your design are quite simple. This chapter introduces some additional aspects of dimensioning so you will be prepared for all your most comprehensive designs. MicroStation PowerDraft dimensioning tools place dimensions for your file as a single element. So, you can delete, move, rotate and perform other operations on your dimension as a single element. Dimension elements have attributes just like other elements so, dimension will take on the active color, line style width, etc. The text size in a dimension is set by the active text size in real world coordinates. Since text sizes are expressed in real world units, this is one place where you have to think ahead to the scale you will use when printing so you assign the correct real world text size. Heres a simple table to help you set text sizes:
Architectural Height of Text on Paper 1/4 1/8 1/4 1/8 1/4 1/8 1/4 Real World Height of Text 1 1/2 .67 .33 .5 (6) .25 (3) 2 Mechanical Height of Text on Paper 1/4 1/8 1/4 1/8 1/4 1/8 Real World Height of Text 1/4 1/8 1/2 1/4 1 1/2

Plotting Scale 1/4 to ft 1/4 to ft 3/8 to ft 3/8 to ft 1/2 to ft 1/2 to ft 1/8 to ft

Plotting Scale 1:1 1:1 1:2 1:2 1:4 1:4

A dimension element is a special element type. It is composed of combinations of the five following entities. Dimension Line - The dimension line is a line that shows the direction of a measurement or the size of an angle. Dimension Text - The dimension text is the text used to display the length of a measurement or the size of an angle. Extension Lines (optional) - Extension lines, which are sometimes referred to as witness lines, are lines that are used to extend the lines of the element you are dimensioning. This helps to better identify the area that is being dimensioned. Dimension Line Terminators (optional) - Dimension line terminators are objects, like arrows or strokes, that are placed at each end of the dimension line.
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 Mark (optional) - A mark can be used to identify the center of a circular element. Dimension Styles After you have adjusted all the dimension settings as described previously, you can save them as a Dimension Style. You can then switch between one set of settings and another by selecting Element > Dimensions and then selecting the style you want from the option list at the top left of the dialog box. The Dimension tool box

NOTE: In MicroStation V8 2004 Edition, the dimension tool bar is shortened and some of the tools are found in the tool settings. Steps for placement have changed as well. A dimension element can be dropped to its component lines, line strings, ellipses, arcs, and text elements with the Drop Element tool. This tool is found on the Main tool frame (row 10). Lesson 26 Linear Dimensions

Drop Element

The first 8 tools on this tool box are used to dimension linear distances in elements. The most commonly used tools are: Dimension Element - This tool will dimension any element such as line, circle or arc in the way that is best for that element. After selecting the tool, identify an element and then press the Enter key on the keyboard to switch between modes (so long as the Dimension tool settings have input focus). For example, you can show the dimensions of a line using arrowheads or stroke marks. When dimensioning a circle, you can get the radial, diametric or other dimensions by selecting Dimension Element, then click on the circle, then press Enter to switch between modes. Use this tool whenever dimensioning a single element.

Dimension Element

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Dimension Size with Arrows

Dimension Size with Arrows - This tool is used to dimension linear size with each dimension computed from the endpoint of the previous dimension and placed in line. Arrows will be used as terminators.

Dimension Size with Stroke

Dimension Size with Strokes - This tool is also used to dimension linear size with each dimension computed from the endpoint of the previous dimension and placed in line. Strokes will be used as terminators. This style is favored by architects. The Dimension Size with Arrows tool

Dimension Size with Arrow

This tool is used to dimension the linear distance between two points. Each dimension, except the first, is computed from the endpoint of the previous dimension. To dimension the distance between two points: 1. From the Dimension tool box, select the Dimension Size with Arrow tool. 2. Enter a data point to define the origin. 3. Enter a second data point to define the direction of the dimension line. Then, move pointer away from the object to define extension line depth. 4. Continue entering data points to chain the dimension. 5. Reset to place the dimension in the design. OR Go back to step 4 to define another dimension endpoint. 6. (OPTIONAL) Go back to step 3 to dimension from the last data point in a different direction. OR Reset and go back to step 2 to start a new size dimension from a different origin.
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You can use this tool to create a string, or chain, of dimensions. If you later want to insert a dimension in the chain, use the Insert Vertex tool from the Modify tool box. If you want to remove one of the inner dimensions, use the Delete Vertex tool. Lesson 27 - Angular Dimensions The most common tools to dimension angles are as follows. Dimension Angle Size - This tool allows you to dimension an angle with each dimension computed from the endpoint of the previous dimension. Dimension Angle Location - You can use this tool to dimension an angle with each dimension computed from a common origin. Dimension Angle Between - This tool allows you to dimension the angle between two lines or line segments. Dimension Arc Size - You can use this tool to dimension angles along a circle or circular arc with each dimension computed from the end of the previous one. Dimension Arc Location - This tool allows you to dimension angles along a circle or arc with each dimension computed from a common origin. The Dimension Angle Size tool This tool is used to dimension angles. Each dimension, except the first, is computed from the endpoint of the previous dimension. To dimension an angle: 1. From the Dimension tool box, select the Dimension Angle Size tool.
Dimension Angle Size

Dimension Angle Size

Dimensi on Angle Location

2. Enter a data point to define the dimension origin. For example, snap to the end of a horizontal line. The dimension is measured in a counter-clockwise direction from this point. 3. Enter a second data point to define the length of the extension line and the radius of the dimension arc (slightly away from first point). 4. Enter a third data point to define the vertex of the angle.
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5. Enter a fourth data point to define the endpoint of the dimension (snap to the end of the first sloped line you wish to dimension to). 6. Reset to complete the dimension. OR Go back to step 5 to dimension an angle that has its origin at the endpoint of the dimension just placed. Lesson 28 - Radial Dimensions These options are used to dimension the diameter or radius of a circle or arc and to place a center mark. The most commonly used tools are as follows. Dimension Diameter - This tool is used to dimension the diameter of a circle or circular arc. Dimension Diameter (Extended Leader) - You can use this tool to dimension the diameter of a circle or circular arc with a radial leader across the center. Dimension Radius - You can use this tool to dimension the radius of a circle or circular arc. Dimension Radius (Extended Leader) - This tool is used to dimension the radius of a circle or circular arc with a radial leader to the center. Place Center Mark - You can use this tool to place a mark at the center of a circle or circular arc. The Dimension Diameter tool This tool is used to dimension the diameter of a circle or a circular arc. To dimension the diameter of a circle or arc: 1. From the Dimensions tool box, select the Dimension Diameter tool. 2. Identify the circle or arc. If the dimension is to be placed inside the circle, this data point defines the endpoint of the dimension. 3. Enter another data point.
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Dimension Radial

If the dimension is placed inside the circle, this data point accepts the dimension. If the dimension is to be placed outside the circle, this data point positions the dimension. Exercise - Dimensioning Refer back to the preceding lessons and try your hand at drawing and dimensioning this part. Hints: 1. Working units are inches and tenths. 2. Text height and width is .375. 3. Place 2 circles at 0,0: 1st radius 2 1/16, 2nd radius 1 11/16. 4. Place 3 circles 7/8 below first centerline w/ radii: 1 1/16, 11/16 and 1 7/16. 5. Do the two 1/4 fillets. Truncate none. Use Partial delete. 6. Use a Multi-line with 2 lines, space 3/16 off center for key. 7. Use Dimension Element for many of the dimensions as possible.

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Chapter 12

COMPREHENSIVE EXERCISE

Exercise - City tract map The City tract map is a more comprehensive exercise that will bring together many of the 2D functions that you have learned. Note that each step is shown in general, with a figure and then below the figure you will see the detailed steps to construct the figure. Figure 1: Horizontal and vertical lines

___________________________

Procedure: 1. Make a new file with working units in feet and inches. 2. Save Settings. First, create the horizontal line. 3. Select Place SmartLine. 4. With the input focus in the AccuDraw window, type the letter P, enter 0,0 then press Enter. This puts first point of line at the origin of the design plane. 5. For the end of the line, using AccuDraw, move the pointer in the X direction and enter 330. Enter a data point then reset. 6. Fit View. 7. Select Rotate from the Manipulate tool box with the following tool settings. Method: Active Angle set to 90, Make Copy: Enabled. 8. Select the horizontal line. 9. Snap to the center of the horizontal line to locate the pivot point. 10. Fit View.

Fit View

Rotate

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Figure 2: Parallel lines

Procedure: 1. Select Move Parallel with the following tool settings. Distance: 11 (streets are 22 wide), Make Copy: Enabled. 2. Identify the vertical line. 3. Enter a data point on the right side of the original line to place a copy on the right. 4. Enter a data point on the left side to place a copy on the left. 5. Reset. 6. Repeat for the horizontal line. Figure 3: Break lines

Move Parallel

Procedure:
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Partial Delete

1. Use Window Area to zoom in on the intersection of the streets. 2. Select Partial Delete from the Modify tool box to clip a portion out of the curb lines so that when you use the Fillet tool, it will not trim the bottom half of the vertical line. 3. Click on lines to form breaks as shown. Figure 3: Add fillets

Procedure: 1. Select Construct Circular fillet from the Modify tool box with the following tool settings. Radius: 30, Truncate: Both. 2. Enter a data point on the first line. 3. Enter a data point on the second line. 4. Enter a data point to accept. 5. Complete by following the same steps for the other corners.

Construct Circular Fillet

Figure 4: Change centerline attributes

shorten all 3 lines

Shorten all 3 lines

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Procedure: 1. Select Change Element Attributes with the following tool settings. Color to yellow, Line style to 4, Weight to 0. 2. Select each centerline. 3. Reset the elements attributes (Color, Line style, and Weight) back to 0 on the Attributes too bar if necessary. 4. Select the Extend tool and shorten all three vertical lines at each end of the North/South streets by exactly 30 feet. In PowerDraft, use the Modify Element tool and using AccuDraw, type in 30 and click on each vertical lines outside end.

Extend

Figure 5: Create adjacent streets

Procedure: 1. Place a Fence. 2. Select Mirror from the Manipulate tool box with the following tool settings. Make Copy and use Fence: Enabled. 3. Tentative snap to the end of one line. 4. Enter a data point to accept. 5. Place a Fence . 6. Select Mirror, changing Mirror About to Vertical. 7. Snap to the end of the horizontal line. 8. Accept 9. Select Place Fence to dismiss the fence.
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Mirror tool

10. Place a fence around the streets in the upper right corner of the street grid (use Mode Overlap).
Rotate

11. Use the Rotate tool to copy the fenced streets at 150 degrees. The center lines of the streets should be connected. 12. Use Extend Elements to Intersection to finish the street lines.

Extend Elements to Intersection

13. Use Construct Circular Fillet to fillet the connections of the streets with a 75 foot radius.

Remember to match the element attributes of the lines being modified.

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Place Point or Stream Curve

14. Draw a pond in the middle block of the streets using the Place Point or Stream Curve tool from the Linear Tools tool box.

Move Parallel

15. Use Move Parallel, set to Copy, to copy the outside street lines back to make the rear property lines. Use a distance of 124 ft.

16.Use the Extend tools to extend property lines to meet each other and the street edges. 17.Use Move Parallel to make lots 50 feet wide. Hint: Make property lines the correct length before copying parallel rather than copy and then have to extend them all.

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Figure 5: Finish lots

Procedure: 1. Use the Extend tools to complete the lots. 2. Change the element attributes of the lot lines to Line style: 6, Color: green, Weight: 1. HINT: A newer method of changing element attributes is to first select all lot lines using the PowerSelector. In the Attributes tool bar, change the line style to 6, color to green, and weight to 1. In PowerSelector, use the line Method and the Add mode. Then just draw a line through groups of lot lines to create a group so you change all attributes at one time. 3. Set the file highlight to some color other than red. Settings > Design File > Color > Element Highlight. 4. Zoom In to an unused portion of the file. 5. Use the Place Shape tool to draw the following house roof outlines. Use weight of 2, line style of 0 and color red. Draw the roofs on level 5. The dimensions are shown for sizing only.

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Dont include dimensions in your design. You will make them into a cell library later. AccuDraw works really well here. 6. Move the center lines of the streets to level 3 using SelectBy Attributes. To select all yellow centerlines, select Edit > Select By Attributes. Set the color to yellow and click Execute. Note all yellow lines are now selected. Change the active level to 3 in the Attributes tool. Select level 3, even if it is already selected. This is the quickest way to change any attribute. 7. Deselect by clicking the Element Selection tool and then entering a data point in a blank part of screen. 8. Change the active level back to 1. 9. Turn off level 3 so you no see the center lines. 10. Use the Place point or Stream Curve tool to draw a stream below the city. Draw the stream in blue on level 19. 11. Draw a green curve to represent a golf course in the center section of the subdivision on level 57. Follow the status bar prompts. 12. Draw a line string at the upper right of the design that will be used as a True North Indicator. Draw it on level 1 and use color 0.

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Exercise: Add Text to the city tract This exercise uses many of the text placement tools discussed earlier. 1. In the City Tract design, set the active level to 12, color to 0 and weight 0. 2. Select Place Text with the following tool settings. Method: Above Element and place names on the streets as shown. Use a text size of 12, font 3, and set the line spacing to 5 feet. Set intercharacter spacing to 0. 3. Label the north arrow using font 0 with a text size of 12 feet. 4. Label the City Tract using font 42 and a size of 30 feet. 5. Use the Change Text tool to change the north arrow text font to 7, and size 20 feet. 6. Use font 42 and size of 15 feet to label Blue River using Place Text with the Method: Along Element. Click on river edge and accept to place.

Place Text

NEW SUBDIVISION

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Additional Exercise: Create a Cell library and cells NOTE: The dimensions shown in the graphics are to aid you with cell creation. They are not part of the cell. 1. Create a new cell library with the name xx.cel where xx represent your initials and attach it to the tract map file. 2. Create three cells from the three roof outlines you drew previously. Define each cell origin by snapping to the lower left corner of the roof. Name the cells house1, house2 and house3. 3. Set the active level to 5, weight to 1, and color to anything you like. 4. Create a cell representing a tree using the Place Stream Curve tool. Or, use the B-spline tools from Tools > B-spline Curve.

Place SmartLine

1. Create an arrowhead point cell. This will be used as a line terminator for the True North indicator. Select the Place SmartLine tool and enter a data point. Then, using AccuDraw, draw the following 3 lines: Distance 24.5, angle 30 Press V to rotate AccuDraw compass back to View. Distance 24.5, angle 150 Press V again Distance 14, angle 300 Snap back to the starting point, accept it, and then reset.

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6. Create a cell representing a chain link fence using the Place Line tool. Each section of the X is 5 feet long. Use the dimension shown as a guide, it is not part of the cell.

7. Place cells of the roof outlines on some lots. Use all three buildings. Utilize the Active Angle when placing buildings on angled lots. 8. Make the tree your active cell and place trees randomly on the design. 9. Add a chain link fence somewhere on your design. Draw a line string where the chain link fence should be, then select Linear Pattern with the following tool settings. Cycle: Complete, pattern cell: the name of the chain link cell, Scale: 5.0. Then click on the line string.

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CHAPTER 13

PRINTING YOUR DESIGN

MicroStation PowerDraft has one dialog box for setting up for printing. Select File > Print to open it.

Defining What to Plot You will often want to create several hardcopy drawings from one design file. The architect will want a floor plan with dimensions, then perhaps a floor plan with no dimensions but showing furniture arrangement, etc. To tell MicroStation PowerDraft which portion of the design file you want to print there are two methods, Fence and View. To select either one of these methods, See General Settings > Print on the Print Dialog box: Fence A Plot file can be created from a fenced area, if a fence exists in the design file. (This is the recommended method.) View
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The plot view is chosen by selecting the desired view number from the Dialog box. Next, see the Printer and Paper Size area of the Print Dialog box. Use Windows Printer driver whenever possible. If you have a special situation, click on File >Bentley Driver and then select the one you want such as HPGL2.plt if you need to spool a file for HPGL language. Next, click on the Paper field and then select: A (8.5 x 11), B (11 x 17), C (17 x 22), etc. The Printable Area that displays takes into account the necessary margin on the paper. Also, enable either the portrait or landscape layout. To layout your drawing on the page, see the Print Size/Scale area at the bottom of the Print dialog box. The dialog box shows the extreme X and Y dimensions of your drawing given the scale shown. MicroStation PowerDraft automatically calculates the scale that will draw your drawing so either width or height of the extremes of your drawing equals width or height of the page you selected. That is, MicroStation PowerDraft calculates the largest scale that can be used to fit your whole fence or view on the paper. Normally that will produce a strange scale, so, if your drawing is to be to a standard scale, you can edit Scale to make it the largest standard scale that will fit. NOTE: Scale as used in MicroStation PowerDraft print dialog box is the reciprocal of mechanical or architectural drafting scales. It is similar to mapping scales. So, for example, if you want to plot a mechanical drawing in 1/4 scale, you would enter 4 in Print Size/Scale. The following table shows the number to enter in Print Size/Scale. For normal drafting scales:
Master Units inches inches inches feet feet Standard Scale full scale 1/1 half 1:2 quarter 1:4 1/2 to the foot 3/8 to the foot Plot Layout Scale 1 2 4 2 2.6667

Note again, the small rectangle inside the larger rectangle at upper right of Print dialog box. The small, blue rectangle represents the extremes of your drawing. The larger white rectangle represents the paper size. So, you can see
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how large your plot will be on the paper and where it will start. You can shift the small rectangle, i.e. you can specify where you want the print position to be. Just edit the Width and Height fields in the print position box. You will see the small rectangle shift. Other options (see icons below File, Configuration. At top of dialog): Sync to View Or Maximize - Will expand image to just fit page Preview - Shows you a simulation of your plot on the screen Options - Lets you change other parameters File Exit - Leaves the plot dialog box Print- Either creates the plot file or immediately sends plot instructions to the plotter to begin making your drawing A plot file is a file that contains all of the instructions to your printer of plotter. If you create a plot file, nothing is printed. You will have to leave MicroStation PowerDraft later and then send that file to a plotter by one of the ways compatible with your operating system. If you have connected your plotter to the parallel port of your computer, heres how you can plot right away: Printing from Windows If Printer.plt is selected as the plot driver, drawings can be printed by selecting File > Print. Printer.plt is referred to as the system printer in Windows. MicroStation PowerDraft will use whatever graphics output device has been setup for Windows through the Windows Control Panel. To plot a color file in black and white Select Gray Scale or Monochrome from the Vector button on the Print dialog box. Border / Title Block One way to handle borders is to create a cell for each size of border you require, drawing in appropriate real-world units so the border will scale properly when plotted. For example, in mechanical work to be plotted full scale in inch units to an 8.5x11 plotter in landscape: 1) Draw border with desired line weight, say, 8 x 10.5. 2) Draw title block.
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3) Place Enter Data Fields in the title block where you want company name, title, drawn-by, etc to be placed, with text attributes set for each. By the way, Enter Data Fields are just the underbar character (upper case dash). The number of underbars determines the number of characters to be entered. 4) Add above to a cell library, with all your border/title blocks. 5) When you have a completed drawing and you are ready to plot it out: attach the border cell library, make the border you want active for placement, place the border cell on your drawing, select Auto Fill-in Enter Data from the Place text tool bar(far right hand side of the tool bar). Then, click anywhere on the view. Note the rectangle around the first field. Type in the first field. Press Enter. Then type in the next field, etc. The text you entered has the same attributes as you used when you typed in the underbars. 6) See Reference Files in Appendix for another way to do borders.

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CHAPTER 14 SUMMARY OF 2D AND WHERE TO GO FROM HERE At this point you have a good understanding of the concepts of MicroStation PowerDraft and you have completed exercises that cover the tools that will enable you to produce almost any technical design. More importantly, you have learned your way around MicroStation PowerDraft so you are prepared to develop a deeper understanding and greater skill on your own. There is much more to learn about MicroStation PowerDraft. Where you go from here depends on your own goals. You will want to read the rest of this book and do the exercises to learn the basics of 3D. If you are familiar with another CAD application, you may want to become familiar with the AutoCAD workspace that comes with MicroStation PowerDraft or perhaps the VersaCAD Workspace which is available. If you are keyboard oriented, take note of the list of two character commands in the appendix and also experiment with Key-in browser to learn the longer commands. The following table lists some of the 2D functions of MicroStation PowerDraft that not covered and where to look to learn more about those functions Selected advanced 2D Topics
Advanced 2D Functions AccuDraw Configuration variables Custom dimensions Custom line styles Custom multi-lines Customizing Digitizing File translation Groups Images Importing text Named Levels Reference Files Tags (text tied to graphics) Workspaces Reference (MicroStation PowerDrafts User Guide) Chapter 5 Users Guide Chapter 4 & 7 Administrator Guide Chapter 13 Users Guide Page 4-10 Users Guide Chapter 9 Users Guide MicroStation PowerDraft BASIC Page 9-85 Users Guide Chapter 6 Administrator Guide Chapter 9 Users Guide Chapter 11 Users Guide Page 6-73 Administrator Guide Page 4-3 Users Guide Chapter 8 Users Guide Chapter 12 Users Guide Chapters 2-4 Administrator Guide

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Also, see the Appendix for more information on structuring your own class, Reference Files, and Short cut commands. Some tips for good use of MicroStation PowerDraft 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) Remember to watch the prompts and messages. Practice snapping and use AccuSnap. Get in the habit of referring to the tool settings. Use References. Use AccuDraw for coordinate entry. Set up your own seed files with all your standards. Make use of cell libraries. When translating files: As often as possible, just use File > Open with Type set to the desired extension. Use Import/Export only when needed for control. Reduce the file to as little as possible before translation. Compress Files before translation. Differences between MicroStation PowerDraft and AutoCAD Here are some of the key differences between AutoCAD and MicroStation PowerDraft for those who first used AutoCAD.
AUTOCAD new file untitled file must be saved file extension is dwg xref self reference not available 64 bit floating point coordinates unlimited layers Layer Name & ByLayer standard tool settings in command polyline single purpose mouse key-in dimensions & type Enter Linear Dimension: 2pts on object then witness depth various trim methods commands by: Verb/Noun/Enter MICROSTATION/POWERDRAFT new file named and start with seed file file always saved file extension is dgn or dwg references Self referencing permitted for details 64 bit floating point coordinates Unlimited levels independent attributes or ByLayer attributes tool settings in tool settings box SmartLine 3 buttons: data, reset, snap AccuDraw: visual align, key number, no Enter 2pts on object then witness depth PowerTrim Verb/Noun or Noun/Verb method of commands

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CHAPTER 15

3D CONCEPTS

MicroStation PowerDraft enables you to approach design from either a 2D or 3D perspective. 2D means working with your design as if you were sitting at a drafting table, except using the computer to record your ideas rather than a sheet of vellum. 3D means working with a model of your ideas much as if you were building a model out of plastic parts. The seed file you select when you create a new file tells MicroStation PowerDraft whether you will be building a 3D model or whether you will be working in 2D. For your convenience, MicroStation PowerDraft eliminates the 3D menus when you select a 2D seed file. If you select a 3D seed file such as seed3d.dgn, then MicroStation PowerDraft will activate all of the 3D menus for your use. Certain types of design work are best suited to 2D, such as electrical schematic diagrams, process schematics and 2D layouts such as sign cutting. However, most mechanical, architectural or industrial design involves products which are 3D in nature, meaning they have depth, width and height. The conventional approach has been to reduce 3D objects to 2D by drawing views of the 3D object. While 2D drafting is still very useful and is consistent with the way a large number of designers have been trained, there is a marked trend towards 3D computer aided design. The benefits of 3D for mechanical and architectural design are many: - If a good 3D model is defined digitally, drawings can be produced almost automatically. - When a change is made in the 3D model, the change is automatically made in the design files. - Rendering a 3D model provides a photograph-like image of the design which can be better understood by a broader audience. That means better communication between members of a team.

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Before working in 3D you should understand the MicroStation PowerDraft Concepts from Chapter 1 and the fundamentals of 2D design, especially Chapters 1 through 5. In addition, there are new concepts to understand to become proficient in 3D: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The The The The The The right hand rule for coordinates. 8 standard views. screen axis system vs. the drawing or model axis system. Right Hand Rule for angles. View Volume. Active Depth.

The right hand rule You will recall from 2D that X was always positive to the right and Y was positive upward on the screen. You can look at a 3D model from different directions. To keep coordinates straight in your mind, use the right hand rule. Think of your right thumb as the +X axis, your right forefinger as +Y and your middle finger as +Z. No matter how you turn your hand or from where you look, the axis are the same.

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8 Standard Views The graphic shows the 8 standard MicroStation PowerDraft views of a model.

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The Screen Axis vs. Model Axis There are 2 coordinate systems available to MicroStation PowerDraft: The View or Screen Axis System The Model or Drawing Axis

The Screen Axis System is fixed, just as you learned for 2D. Positive X to the right, positive Y up and positive Z coming out of the screen. Think of the Screen Axis System as being affixed to the physical, computer monitor. Note that this system follows the right hand rule. The Model Axis System is tied to the model or the part or product we are designing, not to how you are looking at it. The following figure shows the fixed view axis system and the model axis system as it would appear in each of 4 views.

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The right hand rule for angles The right hand rule for rotation or angles states that an angle is positive. Grab the positive x, y or z axis with your right hand. The direction of your fingers is the direction of a positive angle or positive rotation. View Volume The View Volume is the portion of a design which can be seen in a particular view. This is also referred to as the Display Volume or Clipping Volume. Think of it as a box that you wrap around a portion of a design. MicroStation PowerDraft will display everything inside the box, but will not display parts of the design which are outside the box, clipped from view. The box is defined by the height and width of the View and by the Display Depth. The Display Depth is defined by two screen axis Z coordinates. For example, -10 to plus 10. These 2 Z coordinates can be keyed-in using the format DP = a, b or the two coordinates can by supplied graphically from the Tools > View Control > 3D view control tool bar. Active Depth The Active Depth is a plane parallel to the screen related to one view where you can currently draw. Think of it as a sheet of clear plastic that you can move anywhere parallel to your screen and then draw or construct geometry on that plane. The location of the active plane can be keyed-in using AZ = d, or it can be set graphically from the Tools > View Control > 3D view control tool bar.

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Lesson 29 - Understanding 3D Concepts 1. Create a new 3D design file. Select File > New. Click Select. Select seed3d.dgn. You may need to navigate to Program files\Bentley\Workspace\system\seed. Click OK, then supply a file name. You will see four views with a triad of model coordinates. First set line weight to 4, then place a 2 x 2 x 2 slab in the file: Tools > 3D Main > 3D Main and select Place Slab from the tool box with the following tool settings. Length, Width, and Height: 2. Follow the status bar prompts and enter data points to place the slab.

Use the Rotate View tool (6th one in the border view controls). Try this as it works differently than 2D. You can apply any standard view to any of the four views. 2. Note the X, Y and Z in the four views. The associated arrows show the positive direction of the model coordinate system. 3. Open Tools > View Control.

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Show Displa y Depth

4. Select Show Display Depth. Click in each view and note the display depth in the status bar. It will show two z coordinates. The difference between them is the display depth. The display volume in that view is the width and height of the view as you see it, multiplied by the display depth in the view coordinate system. -Z is away from you inside the screen and +Z is toward you. 5. To demonstrate view volume, select Set Display Depth. Click in the Top view to set the display depth for that view. Manipulate the dim lines in the Isometric view to make a thin volume. Your first click in the isometric defines the top-view clipping plane closest to you. The second click defines the clipping plane inside the screen, away from you. (NOTE: Settings > View Attributes > Clip Front and Back must be enabled on for this to work.) If the two planes were close enough, you will no longer see part of the slab you placed. You just see points where you cut the edges of the slab.

Set Display Depth

Place Block

Restore the original clipping planes (view volume) by selecting Fit View and then click in the views. Fit View expands the clipping planes so you see the whole model. 6. Draw rectangles and circles in the Top view. Note where they are in the Isometric view. Now, change the active depth, the plane where you are drawing, as follows. Select Set Active Depth, then click in the Top view, then in the Isometric, move the plane and snap it to the top of the slab. Draw additional circles and see them on the top of the slab. 7. To see other views, use Rotate View. The tool settings allow you to select any of the standard view rotations and then place in any view by clicking in it. 8. You can also use Rotate View to dynamically rotate the view in any view. Set the Rotate tool settings to Dynamic by enabling the check box. Then click on one of the views and hold the data button down. As you move the pointer on the screen, the view will dynamically follow. Here is where a good OpenGL graphic card can make a difference in how fast the rotation takes place and the quality of the image displayed. 9. You can also click on the B in upper left corner of any view window and select Rendering View Attributes. Change from Wireframe to Smooth and enable Dynamic Display then Apply. That view will be shaded and will remain shaded while you use Rotate View.
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Place Circle

CHAPTER 16

PRECISE 3D INPUT

In Chapter 4 you learned how to precisely input geometric data using two key-in methods (like DX=, etc) and AccuDraw: The same commands apply in 3D with 2 additions: We must enter X, Y and Z coordinates, e.g. XY=a,b,c. When using coordinate key-ins, use DL= for entering relative distances in model Coordinates. Use DX= for entering view coordinates. AccuDraw is particularly useful in 3D, however, there are a few more things to learn to use AccuDraw effectively in 3D: 1) The AccuDraw compass must be aligned to the view you are working in. With AccuDraw on, if you press: the letter T, the compass will be aligned to the Top View. If you press S, AccuDraw will align the compass with the Side View. If you press F, the compass will be aligned to the Front View. 2) You can even use the AccuDraw compass in an isometric view. Just press T to work in a plane aligned with the top view, or S for side view or F for front view. 3) To locate a point relative to a known point, tentative snap to the known point then type O to establish it as the origin. Then, drag the pointer in the direction of an offset and type the distance. Then, you can drag orthogonal to the first direction and type another offset distance. Then, enter a data point. 4) To align a point under a known point, drag in the direction until AccuDraw highlights the line, then, type enter to lock in that direction. You can then snap on the known point and the length of the line will be set. Key-in precise data is more important in 3D since it is sometimes more difficult to locate geometry graphically. A typical procedure for building 3D models is to precisely key-in the coordinates of known geometry and then to construct further geometry from the base.

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Exercise - 3D Model of a Kite In this exercise you will construct a 3D model of a box kite.

1. Continue to use the same 3D scratch file you started with. 2. Select Edit > Select All. Delete all of the geometry in your file using the Delete icon. 3. Select Place Block (orthogonal). Enter a data point anywhere in the Front view. 4. To place a rectangle for front face of kite, with AccuDraw on, move pointer straight to the right (in x direction) and type 2 (dont press Enter). Then move pointer straight up (y direction) and type 2. Enter a data point. 5. Select Fit View.
Fit View

6. Click in all four views. (Note that the 2D View controls still work. However, using Fit View resets the display depth of the view to just contain the current geometry.) 7. Select Copy from the Main tool frame. Snap to the block in the Top view. Move pointer straight up. Type 2. Enter a data point. This will make a copy of the front face to save as the back face. AccuDraw ensures the block moves straight up.
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Copy

8. Fit View again to see both blocks. Make sure the copy is right behind the first block when viewed in the front view. 9. Select Place Block again. Snap to the top left corner of the front block, then adjust the AccuDraw compass to it is in the Side View (press S with focus in the AccuDraw Window). Draw a block to the lower corner of the back block. 10. Place lines between corners to represent the ribs.

11. Select Utilities > Render > Smooth. Click in View 2 Isometric. You have completed a 3D model and rendered it.

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LESSON 30 - Projecting 2D into 3D Models As you saw in earlier, you can build 3D models using most of the commands of 2D, just drawing in the view that gives you the best access to the geometry you need. And by either keying-in precise coordinates or snapping to points in the familiar way, or using AccuSnap (in V8 or later). MicroStation PowerDraft provides much more powerful means to create 3D models, including starting from 3D primitives of sphere, slab and the like, or by first making a drawing in 2D and then extruding that drawing or sweeping the drawing to make a 3D model. Extrude can be found in Tools > Tool Boxes > 3D Drawing. This is a common tool for the architect who wants to draw a floor plan and then extrude or project that floor plan to make the walls on a 3D model. The next exercise takes you through all of the stages to convert a floor plan done in a 2D file into a 3D model. You could start in a 3D file and then skip the steps of conversion, but you will purposefully start in 2D in this exercise to learn how to convert 2D to 3D.

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Exercise - 2D Floor Plan to 3D Model

1. First, start a new 2D file (use seed2d.dgn) and set up working units of feet and inches. Coordinate Readout of subunits. 2. Then, edit the default Multi-line so there is no centerline (highlight and delete the centerline in the Element > Multi-lines dialog box). Change the spacing to 0:3 and - 0:3 (to make a 6 wall). 3. Draw the floorplan of a small garage as shown in the previous graphic. Use AccuDraw and dont include the dimensions. 4. From the File menu, select Export > 3D. In the dialog box, use any file name (remember the directory path). Source: design file View: Top Z Depth: fixed value 0:0.00 Ignore other settings Click OK This saves the floorplan as another file, but in 3D format. 5. Now, open the file you created in step 4. 6. Use Window > Open to open four views.
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7. Change view rotation using Rotate View from each view window. Make Window 2 the isometric Make Window 3 a front view Make Window 4 a Right view 8. To arrange the views, select Window > Tile. Next, select Fit View and click in each of the views. You will see your floor plan in each view. 9. Select Extrude from the 3D Main tool box. Set Type to Solid, Orthogonal on, Distance on and set Value to 8 feet. Leave the other options disabled. 10. Identify the Multi-line, and accept. Click in the Isometric view to indicate the direction of the extrusion. 11. Select Utilities > Render > Smooth and click in the Isometric view. You have created a floorplan in 2D, exported it to a 3D file, extruded the floor plan to create a 3D surface model and rendered the view. For extra credit, draw the end view of a gabled roof in the right or front view and then use the Construct Surface of Projection tool to extrude the roof over the entire plan.

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CHAPTER 17 Creating and Manipulating Solid Models Prior to V8, there was a separate product called MicroStation Modeler. Starting with V8, most of the solid modeling tools previously called Modeler were built into MicroStation PowerDraft itself. Full MicroStation V8.1 and later has a function called Feature Modeler which makes MicroStation a complete solid modeler. Any mention of Modeler in this chapter is just referring to the solid modeling tools. Using solid modeling is much easier than the 3D exercises of the previous chapter. Lesson 31 - The Basic Approach The basic approach in solid modeling is to choose solid primitives that your design is made of and then to unite those building blocks together as required and to modify the primitives with features. Its that simple. If you look at the 3d Drawing tool frame, you will see the primitives included with PowerDraft. Move the pointer over the tools in the tool box and note the name of the command. After you have reviewed these tools you will begin to remember where to look for a given command. To make the following bracket, you can see that it might have started as a 2D drawing of the outline and then extruded for its length. Try the following exercise:

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Exercise: Create a U bracket

1. Select File then New. 2. Enter any file name without pressing Enter. 3. Select Seed File seed3d.dgn. 4. Click OK. 5. Select Settings > Design File > Working Units. Set working units to inches. 6. Coordinate Readout should be set to master units. 7. Set the Grid Lock off. 8. Set accuracy to two places. 9. Be sure to watch the tool settings so you will see the details of each command that you select. Also watch command and prompt on the bottom of your screen. 10. Draw the end view of the U bracket in the front view using lines and arcs. The height of the U bracket is 4 inches. The inside radius is 1 and the outside radius is 1.5 13. Now, select Fit View and then click in each view so you see the completed U cross section. 14. Select the whole U section. 15. Select the Extrude tool and, in the Right view or Top View, using AccuDraw, extrude a distance of 4. 16. Use Fit View again to be sure you can see the whole bracket.
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17. Just to prove to yourself that undo works with the modeling, select Edit > Undo and see the extrusion removed from your block. Then, use redo and put it back. 18. With full MicroStation, you could fillet the edges, drill the bolt holes through, add a boss, or any of a number of other advanced features. With PowerDraft we will be satisfied with our U bracket as it is. 19. Select Utilities > Render > Smooth. Then, click on the Isometric view and see a shaded view of your solid model. Remember, a shaded view by itself does not make a solid model. A 3D model is a solid model only if: a) The surfaces are represented by the actual surface, not just a bunch of polygons b) The way that the model was constructed is stored in the computer so the construction can be undone c) The features are stored as features, not just the geometry that makes them up. . Your first exercise is complete and you have created a bracket from a block using extrusion. While it seems like a lot of steps, most of the above will quickly become second nature to you. You will be able to create 3D solid models of this magnitude in less than 5 minutes.

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Lesson 32 - Joining Primitives to Make Complex Solids Now that you have a feel for solid modeling with MicroStation PowerDraft, lets look a little more deeply into the modeling tools. The primitives are slab, sphere, cylinder, and cone. You decide which is the key axis, then you supply the dimensions via AccuDraw. You can experiment with each of the primitives later on. Or, you can start from a profile drawn with the 2D tools and then use one of the extrusion tools to make that profile into a solid. The tools are: Extrude, and Construct Revolution. Lets do a simple exercise uniting two slabs to make an L bracket. Exercise: L bracket by union of two slabs

1. Open a new file using one of the metric seed files or just seed3d and set working units to millimeters. 2. Select Slab from 3D Drawing. As before, enter the length, width and height respectively as 100, 100 and 10. 3. Reselect Slab and snap to corner of existing slab for the first point. Then enter 100, 100, 10 with AccuDraw oriented so this slab is at right angles to the first. When finished, you can use Fit View and see both slabs. Look in the Front view. The two slabs should overlap at the bottom right corner. This makes an L bracket that is 100 mm on each leg. Only, the two slabs are not connected.

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4. With PowerDraft we stop here. With full MicroStation we could unite the two slabs into one L shaped object. 5. With full MicroStation you could also select the Fillet tool, input the radius as 5 mm and then select all of the edges on the front of the L. Click data button away from the part to accept. Just that quickly you can create an L bracket with filleted edges. You can now fillet more edges, or add hole to the bracket for mounting.

Lesson 33 - More on Features MicroStation provides five different feature tools that you can use to build a solid model: Fillet Chamfer Create Cut Thin Shell Modify Solid Taper Solid

With PowerDraft you need to do your fillets and chamfers with the 2D model so that when you extrude or revolve it, there will be a smooth surface.

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Exercise: Modify Solid In full MicroStation there are tools for modifying the solid once it is created.

1. File > Open the L bracket design unless it is still open. 2. Select Modify Solid with the following tool settings. Distance: Enabled and set to 2.0 3. Click on the vertical leg. Choose the top plane. Accept. 4. Try the same on the horizontal leg.

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Exercise:

Create a Roller bearing with mounting bracket

This exercise is somewhat more complex than the others, but will allow you to dig deeper into the modeling commands and to gain more experience in the most frequently used commands. The exercise can be done with either PowerDraft or full MicroStation. 1. Create a new file using an inch-based seed file. 2. In the front view, draw a shape using SmartLine to represent the face of the roller bearing Draw it as follows. Enter a data point for lower left of bracket. Using AccuDraw, draw a horizontal line 6. Then draw vertical line 0.5. Then draw 1 to left. Then, 1.5 up. Now change SmartLine to arc. Click a center point 2 to left of vertical line making arc begin at end of vertical line. Sweep 180 degrees. Switch back to lines. Draw vertical line down 1.5. Then to left 1. Then close. 3. Now draw the large circle with a radius of 1.5. Next, select Create Region from the Groups tool box, using Flood and Locate Interior Shape. Drop Element is the first tool in the Groups tool box See the lines, arc and circle highlight to indicate correct selection. Enter a data point to accept. 4. Extrude the circle and shape 1 to make the bearing block with tool settings set to Solid. 5. Fit View. 6. Select the Create cylinder tool. Place center of cylinder in front view at center of arc. Move until AccuSnap highlights the arc
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and shows the x in the center. Dont click just yet. Type the letter O instead. Now move to top view and place point 1 above center of bracket. Then, back to the front view to set radius to 1. Back to top view to make the cylinder 2 long using AccuDraw. 7. Draw a line in front view from top of large circle to top of the cylinder. Use AccuSnap with the Keypoint snap for the first point. Then, press Enter to lock the line vertical before clicking on AccuSnap x over large arc. (keeps the line vertical). 8. Now, select the Sphere primitive. Click its center at the center of the vertical line you just drew. Make it just large enough in radius to fill the space. 9. Next, select Construct Array with array Type Polar. Set N=8 and angle of 45 degrees. 10. In the Front view, first identify the ball, then snap to the center of the circle. 11. Utilities > Render > Smooth to see your isometric more clearly. Or, go to Settings > Rendering > View Attributes and set the Isometric view to Dynamic Acceleration with Smooth Shading. You can then move your shaded roller bearing using the View Rotate command. This is a very rough approximation of a ball bearing, but as you can see we have created the bottom bracket, the holder, the shaft and the ball bearings. This is quite a complex 3D model to accomplish as easily as we have done it.

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Modeling Summary MicroStation is a basic parametric hybrid solid modeler. Hybrid means that it uses both constructive solid geometry and boundary representation. The editing is good and easy to use. PowerDraft includes a limited set of 3D tools as it is intended as a production design drafting software, not specifically for 3D modeling. However, as you can see, PowerDraft can be used to create interesting 3D models and it can read and display any 3D model made in MicroStation. Modeling Hints Here are a couple of dos and donts that will help you. To get deeper into solid modeling, you will want to upgrade to full MicroStation or one of the discipline specific products such as TriForma with Bentley Architecture, InRoads for civil engineering, etc. 1. Solid Modeling is still a combination of science and art. If you try one way to build a model and it doesnt work, try a different approach. 2. Save your model often as your modeling progresses.

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Chapter 18: DRAWING COMPOSITION & REFERENCE FILES Lesson 34 - Reference Files MicroStation PowerDrafts reference file capability is one of its strongest features. It is especially useful for project groups working on the same project. For example, the architect works on the floor plan, the electrical designer works on the power and lighting and the mechanical consultant works on the heating and ventilation. Each works on their own drawing file but can reference the work of the other. When the floor plan changes, the mechanical designer will see the results of the change the next time they open their drawing referencing the floor plan. This is very useful for organizing work. In addition, reference files are very handy for the individual designer. There are two types of files or drawings that can be used as reference files for other drawings: *design *raster We will take each of these file types one at a time: Design Reference There are essentially 3 purposes for use of one dgn or dwg file as a reference for another: 1. As an aid in constructing a new file 2. For putting together sheets of details for a project 3. As a way of handling title blocks and borders. Construction Aid To understand references quickly, do the following: 1. Open citymap.dgn created in a previous exercise. 2. File > Save As > cityref.dgn 3. While you have cityref open, Edit > Select all then delete all of the elements in the file. Now you have an empty file with all its settings the same as citymap. 4. File > Reference > Tools > Attach Select citymap.dgn to be attached to cityref. 5. Experiment with the other tools. Move, scale, draw a fence around a portion and clip. You can see how the citymap.dgn could be used by the electrical engineer or the mechanical contractor to layout their work using the map as a construction aid. We could layout the sewers so they are exactly in the middle of the streets. The new work would fit exactly. If needed, we can copy elements from citymap.dgn into cityref.dgn and
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then those elements become a part of cityref. However, its generally best to leave all the elements in citymap.dgn so the public works have their files, the sewer engineers theirs, the electrical theirs and so on. This way, the work can be divided on a large project. Also, this way, when the map changes, the engineers will see that revision the next time cityref.dgn is opened. Detail Sheets Detail sheets are generally made of various dgn files at different scales arranged in checkerboard fashion on a sheet of paper. Reference files are very handy for this operation. Start with a blank file, then attach and move and scale the details to fit on the detail sheet. You could see how this works by attaching office.dgn several times to offref. Each time, move it to a new location and scale it differently. Also, you could clip out a different portion each time. Title Block and Borders Another practical use of reference files is to attach a title and border to a design file before plotting. You will need one copy of your title block file for each combination of sheet size and scale you will want to plot. For example, if you have a plotter paper that is 22 by 32 in available plot space and you want to plot at per foot, then draw your border 88 by 128 Note that the scale will plot the border as follows: x 88 = 22 x 128 = 32 Self Referencing You may at times want to reference the active file to itself. You must first save the part of the active file that you would like to self-reference as a saved view. Go to Utilities>Saved Views. Select the view you would like to save, give it a name and select the save button. To reference this saved view, go to File>Reference>Attach and select the active file and then the saved view to attach.

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Reference Raster Raster files are files that are made up of dots. Each dot is called a raster or a pixel. These files are not like dgn files that contain lines, arcs and things which are referred to as vector files. In a vector file you know that a line is a line. In a raster file, a line is just a series of dots that are turned on. There are many different types of raster files. First there are monochrome, continuous tone and color files. Monochrome, each pixel is black or white. Continuous tone files contain shades of gray. And, each pixel can be a different color in a color raster file. There are many different standard formats for raster files. For example, TIFF, JPEG, BMP etc. These are just different methods of coding the dots. For example, if there are 100 white dots in a row, you wouldnt want to store 100 bits. Instead, TIFF for example would store a code saying there were 100 white dots. Raster files can be stored at different resolutions. For example, the file may be stored as 640 x 480 or 1024 x 768. The first would represent 307,200 dots. The second 786,432 dots. The more dots, the better the raster file looks on the screen or on paper, but, the bigger the file to contain it. Raster Reference Files You can attach a raster file as a reference to a dgn file. To do it, select File > Reference > Display > Raster. Then, Attach Interactive. You next have to click on two corners of a rectangle to place the raster file in your dgn file. In settings, you can change the color-tint of the raster file. Suppose you have a photograph of a site. You scan that into the computer. Open an empty file for the drawing of your new structure. Attach the photo as a raster reference file with one corner of the file exactly at 0,0. Then, measure how far to an item on the photo such as a fire hydrant. If you know how far the hydrant really is from the first point, you can warp the photo so the raster file falls exactly on that point. Reference files are a very important part of MicroStation PowerDraft in real production work. The reference file feature of MicroStation PowerDraft is one of its very strong features.

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Drawing Composition Drawing composition automates the creation of drawing sheets, which is familiar to the draftsperson that draws on paper, except that instead of redrawing the model's geometry for each view, you attach views of the model as references.

Sheet model The electronic drawing sheet. Attached view A reference attachment to the sheet view.

Sheet models are created with attached references and saved views. By working with appropriate scaling, you can always create your drawing to the correct size, and then manipulate the output to suit your requirements. For example, with a map, you can place life-size drawings within a scaled border and then print to whatever size is required. The tools in the Reference attachments simplify the process of creating sheet views in a number of ways:

An attached view in a sheet model can be any standard (Top, Bottom, Right, Left, Front, or Back) or any saved view of the model. Attachments can be clipped or set to display only certain levels. The attachments that can be placed via the Attached Reference dialog box, are primarily orthogonal and can be mirrored so no special procedures for placing folded images are included. An attached view of the model can placed in any position at any scale. Related attached views can be grouped in a separate Sheet. References may be mirrored. The Presentation of any attachments can be set independently, for example, you can show the Right view as hidden line.

General Procedure To compose a sheet model 1. Create the design model. 2. To use a saved view(s) to define the attachments, set up each view. The aspect ratio and the display depth of each view should be adjusted so that the view encloses only the desired portion of the model. 3. Open the Models dialog box (File > Models) and click the Create Model icon. 4. Create a Sheet model, filling in a name and a description. 5. Use the Saved Views dialog box (Utilities > Saved Views) or the SV=<name>[description] key-in to save the views.
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6. From the File menu, choose Reference. The Reference dialog box opens.
7. From the Tools menu in the Reference dialog box, choose Attach. 8. Select the file to attach the references from.

9. Click OK. 10. From the Orientation list in the Attach Reference Settings dialog box, choose the desired view (for example, Top) of the reference attachment. This view will start the layout of the sheet model. 11. If necessary, set the Scale for each attachment in the Attach Reference Settings dialog box and the reference Nest Depth. 12. Attach a border that is contained in a border file, which is a reference that contains the border for plotted output. You can attach either a saved view or a fitted view of the border file. 13. Attach the desired Reference or Saved views by choosing the appropriate item from the Reference menu or its submenus. 14. 15. Place dimensions. Place text.

An attached view can be clipped, detached, grouped, moved, or scaled by choosing the appropriate item from the Tools menu. MS_DEFAULTSHEETRGB allows you to specify a different background color, which is used when you create the first sheet model. To attach a reference using a saved view: 1. Open the Sheet model, if not already opened. 2. Select File > Reference. 3. From the Reference tool, select Tools > Attach. The Attach Reference dialog box opens. 4. From the Attach Reference dialog box, select the desired file and model. 5. Select the desired view name to attach from the Attach reference settings, by highlighting it.

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6. Click OK. The selected view is now attached to the pointer, with the outline lightly highlighted. 7. Place the view with a data point. To copy a reference: 1. From the References dialog box, choose Copy. 2. From the References dialog box, identify the reference to be copied. 3. Enter a data point to define the origin of the copy. 4. Enter a data point to define the destination of the copy. 5. Go back to step 2 to copy another attached view. or Reset to finish. To detach a reference: 1. From the References dialog box, select the view to detach. 2. From the Tools menu, select Detach. 3. Accept the detachment. The reference is detached and the information is removed from the drawing. To move a reference: 1. From the References dialog box, select the reference to move. 2. Identify an element in the attached view to be moved. 3. Enter a data point to define the origin of the move. 4. Enter a data point to define the destination. To scale a reference: 1. From the References dialog box, choose Scale. 2. In the Scale Reference dialog box, key in the desired relative scale factors. 3. Identify an element in the attached view to be scaled.
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4. Identify a point to scale the object about. 5. Accept the attached view.
6. Enter a data point about which the attached view will be scaled.

To change the presentation of a reference: 1. From the References dialog box, select the view on which you wish to change the presentation. 2. Select the Set Reference Presentation icon. 3. Select the presentation method. 4. Accept the reference.

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Chapter 19 TriForma for Building Modeling TriForma is an extension of full MicroStation that is very useful for 3D Building Modeling. TriForma is not included with PowerDraft. This chapter is intended for information only, unless you are working with MicroStation and have installed the TriForma extension. With TriForma, you build a computer or mathematical model of the building and then drawings, estimates and specifications are semi automatically cut from the model. This approach to building design is roughly 2 times as productive as using 2D CAD to produce working drawings directly. In this chapter, you will learn the basics of how to create building models and the automatic drawings. To perform the exercises, you will need to have upgraded to MicroStation with TriForma. But, reading through the exercise will let you know what you will be getting when you do upgrade. Lesson 36 TriForma Basics TriForma has a well defined directory structure that you will want to keep. Using your file manager, go to the directory where you installed the files (c:\Bentley\Workspace\TriForma\Tutor_e\ or in older TriForma, C:\triforma\tutorial\english). Note the folders that followbak for backup, cell for cell libraries, comp for component definitions, dgn for building models and drawings etc. A typical approach to using TriForma is to first layout a grid for the floorplan. Then, use the extrusion tools to make those lines into 3D Forms. Forms are things like walls, slab floor, roof, stairs, etc. Then, modify as necessary using the TriForma modify tools. Finally, use the 2D documents manager to automatically make your 2D production drawings. When you have learned the modeling and drawing functions of TriForma, you can set up your own parts, components, libraries, specification text and begin to use the estimating and specification writing functions of TriForma. At that stage, you will have reached the point where you model your buildings and then get animation, rendering, drawings, estimates and specifications prepared automatically, from the single building model. If you have MicroStation running and TriForma installed, youll see the TriForma tool frame. (If you have MicroStation V8 you will see that the TriForma tools are merged with the Main tool frame. Tools are the same as described here, just arranged differently. The standalone TriForma tool frame as shown here has 7 rows and 2 columns of icons.
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Each main icon can be pulled out to see a specific tool bar. The first is for placing forms. You can place linear forms, curved forms and more. Row 1 column 2 is for changing 3D lines into forms, a process called extrusion. Row 2 col 1 has the Parametric Frame Builder for creating custom doors and windows. Row 2 col 2 has the cell manager and placement tools plus a stair builder and more. Row 3 col 1 for building grids. Row 3 col 2 is for manipulating forms to make other forms. Row 4 column 1 is for changing attributes of forms. Row 4 column 2 is for cleaning up corners and for extruding forms up to meet a roof. Row 5 column 1 is the 2D documents manager. Row 5 column 2 is for modifying forms. The bottom 4 icons are miscellaneous, including the ability to fit or refresh all views, set a window to a view graphically, and finally to delete a form. In addition to the tool frame, there is a TriForma menu. First is Catalogs then Libraries. The Libraries sub-menu shows Parts, Compound Parts, Components. These are dialog boxes for building your library of parts where you will set up symbology (color, line style etc) by which it is drawn, components it is made of, how to automatically dimension it etc. Note that the hierarchy is component (like drywall, studs), part (like 6cmu wall), compound part (like the footing, stem wall and cavity wall all treated as one unit), Families (like all exterior walls or all interior walls). The Main tool frame should always be open. The Main tools and the TriForma menu make up all of the tools necessary to operate TriForma. All of the MicroStation PowerDraft functions are still active and can be used as in MicroStation PowerDraft, ie AccuDraw, AccuSnap, SmartLine, Dimensioning, annotation and more. Important: When you extrude elements to make TriForma forms, the direction of extrusion is normal to the view in which you click. So, if you click on a line in the Top view, extrusion will be straight up. Likewise, if you click a line in the right view to make a roof, the extrusion will be out toward you. So, plan your extrusion profiles accordingly. Lets start with an exercise to build a 3D model.

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Exercise 17 Build a 3D building model

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Start a new file using Seed3de.dgn as the seed file. (If you have a different version of MicroStation PowerDraft TriForma, you may need to search for this file, but normally it is in Bentley\Workspace\projects\TriForma\seed Otherwise, use any 3D seed file with feet as units). In the top view, draw a rectangle and two smart lines. The rectangle is 24 wide by 52 high as you view the top view. The lines represent rooms on either side, that are 12 x 20. Select the Extrude Linear Element to Form tool. Change the settings in the tool settings to Top, Fixed Height; Thickness 8, Height 8. Note that the icons at the lower right show whether you are dragging the form by the left, center or right. Select the family and part as exterior walls and whichever part. Click on the 24 x 52 rectangle. Note in the other views that all of the 4 lines are extruded into walls.
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Click on the other SmartLines to extrude those walls as well. Note how quickly you have created the basic shell. (If you want to do a multi-story building, simply use the Copy Form tool to copy the forms up. Use the front and side views or use the isometric view and AccuDraw. One way is to use element selection fence around whole first floor. Choose copy form icon. Snap to point at bottom of first floor. Then, snap to top of first floor. There is your second floor. Note that you can put the number of repeats in the copy tool settings and do the 3rd and fourth floor at the same time). Add a window to the first floor. Choose the Compound Cell Manager and select a Window. Or, in MicroStation/J, open TriForma > Catalogs > Standard Items > 08-Doors. Select any of the windows in the dialog box. Click on the Place button or just click the picture of the window. There are 3 ways to place it, dynamically with points and AccuDraw, By Active Angle or In Linear Form. In-Linear-Form is usually the best. Click on it. Where you click on the form determines where the window will go. It will go a distance from the corner of the form nearest where you click to select the form. Use AccuDraw to place it accurately. If you have Bentley Architecture installed, you can use the parametric door and parametric window dialogs to select the style of window or door and then the dimensions. If you placed your window successfully, but, you dont like the design, delete it and choose another. Walls are automatically healed. You can also move the door or window along a wall using AccuDraw and the wall will heal automatically. Next, we will need a roof on our building. Using SmartLine, in the Front view, draw a line above your building that starts horizontal goes to a peak and then down to a horizontal line. Look at it in the top view. Move the line using MicroStation PowerDraft Move element, so the line is beyond the building. Then, while still in the top view, click on the TriForma command, Extrude Linear Element to Shape. Select the line and extrude it by dragging it over the plan of your building. Note it in the isometric. Now you can extrude the walls up to meet the roof. This works even if the roof is made of curves or arcs, and this is a unique feature of TriForma. Be careful executing the steps. First, select the command Connect Form Top. Note the prompt in the status bar. The prompt says to Identify Form to Connect To. That means the roof. Click once on the roof and it highlights. Then, enter a data point to accept it. Then, reset. (The reason for this
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is that you can select several forms as the roof if you want. You would select the first and accept, the second and accept the third etc. Then reset ends the sequence.) Now, you are ready to choose the walls for extrusion. Click the vertical walls one by one. Start in the top view so TriForma will know which direction to extrude. The general TriForma rule for extrusion is that TriForma will extrude perpendicular to the view in which you selected the element for extrusion, unless the Offset Direction dialog box is open and a User direction vector is set. Then it will extrude in that direction. Or, if you have Bentley Architecture installed, you can simply use the roof builder. 10. Now you have the shell pretty well complete and you are ready for visualization and production drawings. The best way to visualize the model is to use QuickVision. To open the QuickVision dialog box, choose Settings, Rendering, View Attributes (or click the B in upper left corner of any view and see Render View Attributes there). Make sure the view number is correct in the dialog. Select the Smooth Rendering (Phong doesnt work well with QuickVision). Check the Graphics Acceleration checkbox then click Apply. You should get a nicely shaded view. (If you dont, you might check your graphics card setting in the Windows Control Panel. You should have it set for no more than 65,000 colors.) Now, click on the Rotate View icon, then click on the center of the view. With the left button depressed, move your hand and see the shaded model dynamically rotate. You can also Zoom In or Zoom Out. This is a nice way to dynamically visualize your design. To make production drawings, choose the Drawing Extraction Manager from the TriForma tool frame. This opens the Drawing Extraction Manager dialog box. As your project progresses, this will list all of the drawings in your project. Click New to add a new 2D drawing. This opens the Edit Drawing Definition dialog box. Give this new drawing a name and description. Click the Region tab. Note that there are two ways to define where you want the drawing to cut through the model. You can pick the 2 points method or the shape method. Also, you can set whether the drawing should be a Full Plane or just the part inside a shape. For this drawing, select the 2 points method. Then, click Define. The Prompt then asks for the two points so go to the front view and click on the left and then right about half way up the building. Then click Save, then Calculate All. When prompted, click Yes to Open. Now you see your design with hatching and/or automatic dimensions depending on how the part you used was setup. Note also that the TriForma tool box has changed to a 2D tool box. If you click on the 3D icon, TriForma takes you back to the 3D model.
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A few general words about the 2D drawing manager. When you clicked on Calculate All, TriForma created several new 2D files which it saved in the same location with your model. The new files are all in MicroStation PowerDraft dgn, 3D format, but, are not given a .dgn extension. If the 3D model was called EX19.dgn, then TriForma will automatically create EX19.d which is automatically setup to reference EX19.s, EX19.f, EX19.r, and EX19m. EX19.d is the one you are looking at when you Open a 2D drawing. EX19.d references the other 4. EX19.s contains the actual lines and sectioning if you asked for it, ie the hatch etc. EX19.f and EX19.r are the front and rear hidden line views. EX19.m contains highlighting to indicate changed elements if you make a change to the model after you make a drawing. Seed3de.dgn is used as the seed file for these drawing files that TriForma creates (see the Output tab in Edit Drawing Definition dialog box). If you change the model, the drawing files will change. If you change the drawing, the model does not change. So, TriForma is one way associative. You plot 2D drawings made by TriForma just like any other design file.
To make a Roof, use Architecture for TriForma Roof Builder. Works like this: A. Rise/Run Select "apply to all edges", select a building roof shape "and" data point in space Select "Calculate Roof" and again select the gray shape B. Rise/Run - Gambrel Select "apply to all edges", select a building roof shape "and" data point in space Select "Calculate Roof" and again select the gray shape C. Angle (degrees) Select "apply to all edges", select a building roof shape "and" data point in space Select "Calculate Roof" and again select the gray shape Select the "Query" button on the Roof Builder dialog box. In the top view - Select the 45 degree angled roof and accept. Change the angle to 60 Reselect "apply to all edges" and "calculate roof" in order to modify existing roofs. Query other roofs and make changes as desired. TIP: Use top view or change rendered view to wireframe for ease of use. Use the "modify roof" command, and in conjunction with AccuDraw, run pointer across sections of the roof, once highlighted, move the pointer to reposition

There is much to learn about TriForma. We recommend that you go to the Tutorial delivered with TriForma. It will take about 8 to 10 hours to work through the examples, but, after you have done it you will be ready to start a real project.

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Chapter 21 RENDERING & ANIMATION Advanced rendering and animation is an integral part of full MicroStation and is not included as a part of PowerDraft. The MicroStation rendering functions are among the leading 3D photorealistic rendering and animation available in the CAD/CAM industry. PowerDraft includes enough of the rendering and animation functions to make it useful for visualizing a design, but, short of the photorealistic functions included in full MicroStation. For example, PowerDraft can render any model by several methods, up to what is called Smooth rendering. MicroStation goes beyond that with more comprehensive methods such as Phong, Phong-anti-alias, ray tracing and more. Lesson 37 - Rendering Instead of the flat colors you used to draw lines, you can shade 3D objects in PowerDraft with the colors you used to draw the elements and in full MicroStation substituting realistic looking materials for the flat colors such as brick, brass, glass and other materials. You can also make the materials transparent or translucent. In PowerDraft you can shade by several methods up to Smooth shading. To learn smooth rendering, choose any 3D example file or one of the 3D exercises you did in this book. Now, go to Utilities > Render > Smooth. Click on the isometric view. Your scene will be rendered with the colors you selected. If you want a greater mix of colors on your scene, just edit your file so you have more colors and to work with. Lesson 38 - Ray Tracing and radiosity When you render a 3D file with Utilities > Render > Smooth, you are using a pretty good rendering program that will allow you to have different colors in your scene but wont show materials, show shadows and highlights. In full MicroStation, you not only get materials and shadow, if you want to make the rendering look even better, you can use AntiAliasing with Phong rendering (Phong is the name of the inventor of this rendering algorithm). AntiAliasing will simply try several times to move your image around on the screen to minimize the jaggies. It uses a 4 pass algorithm and will take four times as long as regular Smooth. In full MicroStation, if you want your rendering to be even better, you can select Utilities > Render > Ray Tracing. This is a method of rendering that gives another order of realism. It does take longer for the computer to do since it is more comprehensive. Essentially, the
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difference is that Ray Tracing will show reflections of reflections of reflections, etc. That is, every ray of light is traced. Consequently, for some models and some purposes, the extra computer time for ray tracing may be worth it. Radiosity is an even more sophisticated rendering technique. When used with ray tracing, radiosity keeps better track of how light is diffused between surfaces and will show color bleeding where one surface may tint another (like orange carpet makes an orange tint on a white wall), as well as showing light dispersion where the reflection of an indirect light onto other surfaces in a scene. Lesson 39 - Animation in MicroStation There are a number of ways to animate your design with MicroStation or PowerDraft. The simplest is to click on the rotate view icon and then click in the scene and move your pointer. Your eye point will move around the view as you move the pointer. With full MicroStation, there are many more ways to do animation. You can record animations via the Flythrough method. In this case, you simply draw a curve in your 3D scene using a SmartLine or curve. Then you direct the camera to follow that curve and either look tangentially along the curve, or usually, have the camera focus on one point in the scene. This produces a .fli file which can then be played back with Utilities > Image > Movie. With Animation Producer, available in full MicroStation, you can create actors, place them in a scene and then the actors can be moving while the camera moves around the scene. Coupled with photorealistic rendering, this method makes the most lifelike animations of your scene and will wow even the most reserved of clients. Here are a couple of simple examples for making a Flythrough and for animating actors to get you started. Creating a Flythrough While not available in PowerDraft, as a reference, here is how you would prepare animation in MicroStation: Open up any 3D file that you have and draw a camera path using SmartLine. Select Utilities > Render > Flythrough. You will see the Flythrough dialog box. Under Tools, select Define Path. Click on the beginning and end of the SmartLine you drew, as you are prompted and then click on any point on the 3D model as your target point. Then, from the Flythrough dialog Tools menu, choose Record. Supply a file name when asked and then say OK. Your Flythrough is produced as a series of rendered images and stored in one .fli file. Now, go to Utilities > Image > Movies, load the file you just made and play it back. Note you can change the number of ticks that each frame delays and other parameters to
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control the playback. Also, when you record the flythrough, note that you can change the resolution, the type of rendering and many other parameters. Animation Producer

The Animation Producer in MicroStation works generally as follows: Sequences are produced by first defining a set of actors and then scripting their motion. Object motion can be controlled by specifying the position of the actors and keyframes, by defining actor paths, or by explicitly specifying their position, orientation and scaling as a function of time or frame number. Settings for materials and lights also can be specified as a function of time or frame number. The simplest method is keyframing. Here you simply move the 3D object or rotate as you wish for several of the frames which are called keyframes. Then, will interpolate the difference between the positions in keyframes to make motion from one orientation to another. Here are the steps for animating the red block in the figure: 1) In MicroStation (or PowerDraft), create small red slab sitting on top of a larger green slab. We will animate the red slab sliding across the green slab. 2) Utilities>Render>Animation. This opens the Animation Producer dialog box we will use throughout this procedure.
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3) From Settings (on the Animation Producer dialog box) choose Keyframes. This opens the Animation KeyFrames dialog. 4) Using Element Selection, select both the red and green slabs. 5) Click Create in the Animation KeyFrames dialog box. 6) Enter a name like start for this frame. 7) Now, deselect and then move the red slab to the middle of the green slab. Again, select both slabs. 8) Press Create again. Name this frame mid. 9) Deselect again and then move the red slab to the far corner of the green slab. 10) Select the red and green slabs. 11) Click Create. Call this one finish. 12) Now we have created 3 key frames. You must next make a script to describe the type of motion between each key frame. 13) Highlight the key frame named start in the Animation Producer dialog. Click the Script button. 14) When Script KeyFrame opens, click OK to use all defaults. 15) Do the same for mid and finish. Note that mid is now frame number 11 and finish is frame number 21. The intermediate frames will be created automatically according to our script. We are using all default values to simplify this lesson. 16) In Animation Producer dialog, make sure the view is set to the one in which you want the animation to occur. Then, Settings, Select Preview. 17) Click >> and watch the red slab move across the green slab. By now, you should have a feel for how works and you are ready to dig deeper into the Users manual or Help files to learn more when you have full MicroStation available. There is much more to . You can make the red block into an actor and have it rotate, jump up and down or morph it into a cylinder. You can place a variety of lights where you want and much more to make your designs come to life.

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APPENDIX

MicroStation PowerDraft shortcut 2D key-in commands aa= nn ac= cell ap= cell ar= cell as= nn cc= cell cd= cell co= color cr= old, new df= di=dist,angle dl=del x, del y dv=view dx= del x, del y ff=filename ft= font# gr= nn gu=distance ky= nn lc= code ld= level ll= nn ls= nn lv= nn on= nn,nn,.. off= nn,nn,.. pa= nn pd= nn ps= nn rc= library rd= file sd= nn sf= file st= nn sv= name th= nn tx= nn tw= nn vi= name wt= nn xs= nn xy= nx, ny set active angle to nn sets active cell to the name given ie cell sets the active pattern cell to the cell indicated sets the active cell to cell for relative place sets the active scale to nn creates cell in attached library deletes cell from attached library sets active color renames a cell displays fonts settings box sets distance and angle to next data point sets distance to next data point in drawing coord deletes the saved view indicated like dl but in view coordinate system copies fenced elements to a new design file sets active font sets number of units between grid references sets grid spacing to working units value sets snap lock divisor to nn sets active line style places all dimensioning information on level sets max # chars for text node (1-255) sets text line spacing sets active level to nn turns levels listed on turns levels listed off sets active pattern angle to nn sets active pattern spacing to nn sets active pattern scale to nn attaches the cell library closes the current design file sets the stream delta to nn moves selected elements to new file set stream tolerance to nn saves current view settings under name sets active text height sets active scale for cell as line terminator sets active text width attaches the view named sets active line weight sets active x scale next data point will be at absolute nx and ny
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ys= nn

sets active y scale

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