Archives
November 16, 2007
MicroStation tips from Be Conference:
These tips were presented at Be Conference 2007 in Los Angeles and Be Conference Europe in London by Jeanne Aarhus, Aarhus Associates, LLC.
focus…Focus…FOCUS
One of the changed portions of the V8 XM environment is how you can control the focus within the tools, command line, dialogs, AccuDraw, and others. With all the new capabilities you need to take a close look at the new positional mapping feature and take advantage of the parts you prefer. Remember, you don’t have to use them all!
Make note of new icons in the status bar:
ENTER (F9) – move focus to key-in browser and display key-in window at cursor
ESC (F10) – move focus to Tool Settings
SPACEBAR (F11) – move focus to AccuDraw dialog
Home (F12) – move focus Home
Data Point (left click)
DATA Left mouse button – data point, accept, or select
ALT + DATA – Match attributes to element under cursor
SHIFT + DATA – Dynamic panning
Left Click + Selection Tool
Double–click DATA – Edit text
Drag DATA – Define start and end points when placing elements, or create selection set
CTRL Drag DATA – Copy selection set
CTRL + SHIFT + Drag DATA – Create selection set in overlap/crossing mode
CTRL + SHIFT – Invert AccuSnap mode
Reset (Right Click)
RESET Right mouse button – cancel, reject, or reset
Click + Hold RESET – Opens a highly functional pop-up menu
ALT RESET – Opens the element Quick Info dialog
CTRL RESET – Opens the Main tool box under the cursor
SHIFT RESET – Opens the View Control pop-up menu
CTRL SHIFT RESET – Opens the current task under the cursor
Mouse Chord (Left + Right Click)
DATA RESET Snap, tentative point – Same as middle button in previous versions
CTRL DATA RESET – Set AccuDraw origin
Wheel (Middle Button)
XBUTTON1 Middle button in V8 XM – pan with the hand
Double–click XBUTTON1 – Fit View
SHIFT XBUTTON1 – Rotate a view about its center
CTRL XBUTTON1 – Swivels the view camera (3D only)
ALT XBUTTON1 – Define a rotation point, then rotate the view about that point
Function Keys
F1 Help
F2 Opens a popup menu showing the available tasks
F3 Open the Main tool box under the cursor – same as CTRL + RESET
F4 Opens the current task under the cursor – same as CTRL + SHIFT + RESET
F5 Opens the View Attribute dialog under your cursor
F6 Opens the Saved Views dialog
F9 Opens the key-in window under the cursor – same as pressing ENTER when Home.
F10 Put the focus in the Tool Settings dialog
F11 Put focus in AccuDraw – same as pressing SPACE
F12 Takes you Home – same as pressing ESC
Miscellaneous
ESC – Takes you Home
ENTER – When at Home, it opens the key-in window under the cursor – same as pressing F9
TAB – Cycle through elements
SPACE – Put focus in AccuDraw – same as pressing F11
PAGE UP/DOWN – Navigate through the task list one page at a time
SHIFT + Prev/Next Model – Opens the selected model with the views as they were the last time that File > Save Settings was chosen
ALT + Prev/Next Model – Opens the selected model with the views as they are in the current model
SHIFT + Representative Key – Activates the tool representing that toolbox
Element Handles + ALT – Unlock angle preservation
Element Handles + CTRL – Modify handles for multiple elements
Place Line + ALT – Toggle between tangent points
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Technology updates and best practices sessions from Be Conference 2007
Videos of technology updates and best practices sessions from Be Conference 2007 have been posted to Bentley’s Web site for a limited time. It’s not like being at Be Conference, but you can learn from these information-rich sessions on your desktop.
>> more (Building and Integrated Engineering)
>> more (Civil)
>> more (Plant)
>> more (Geospatial)
>> more (Platform – MicroStation and ProjectWise)
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Discussion group threads
The Bentley discussion groups are a great place to learn new tips and tricks with Bentley products and to hear the frank views of other users. Also, your question may have already been answered!
All the discussion groups are listed here.
This issue’s interesting discussions:
Can you make references display on a per-view basis?
Using MDL, how do you create an association point on the last segment of a line string?
Is there a way to do a fit view on all open views at the same time?
How do you get the display priority of an element through MDL?
Are PLT files compatible with MicroStation V8 XM Edition?
Why is the background color disabled when working on DWG files?
>> More commonly asked questions
To search the discussion groups for answers to your particular questions, use our custom Google search.
>> more
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Sponsor
Essential MicroStation V8 2004 Edition Dec. 17-20 Nashville, TN
This entry-level course builds a solid foundation in the concepts, tools, and features of MicroStation. Learn to create and edit 2D designs using established design standards in a production environment. Starting with setting up a drawing and concluding with plotting, you walk through a typical workflow. Register
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Bentley tips
Changing an element’s elevation
This is easily done by using the Move Element tool in conjunction with this key-in:
XY=#,#,<absolute Z value>
For example, if an element is to be moved to an elevation of 100, you click the Move Element tool, select the element you want to move, and then key-in: XY=#,#,100. The element is moved to an absolute value of 100.
Submitted by: Dan Eng, Platform Support Analyst
Opening a PDF file MicroStation immediately upon creation in MicroStation
With MicroStation V8 XM 08.09.02.42 or higher, you can instruct MicroStation to open a PDF file in your PDF viewer immediately after creating the file.
To do so, uncomment the record below in the PDF.PLT. The ShellExecute command is a reserved keyword indicating that MicroStation should open the plot file using whatever Windows application has registered the plot file extension.
;program /post /command="ShellExecute"
Make sure to reload the plotter driver after making and saving the modifications.
Submitted by: Ed Yepes, Plotting Support
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Client Server articles
Recovering Corrupt DGN and DWG Files
Have you ever said, "My deadline is tomorrow and my file won't open!" when you are working on a design that is critical to your project?
>> more
Enhanced Selection Set Features WaterCAD and WaterGEMS
Bentley developers have enhanced the original Selection Set feature from WaterCAD and WaterGEMS to create a trio of powerful modeling tools for the V8 release.
>> more
Frequently Asked Questions About Bentley Building Electrical Systems
In a new file, none of the BBES commands are working. Why? How can I access projects on our network using the Project Navigator tool? More . . .
>> more
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Be User Conferences
Bentley Community (UKI) Autumn Conference
Nov. 20-21, Emirates Stadium, London
The first day is dedicated to training and the second to presentations from users and key Bentley representatives.
>> more (agenda)
>> more (registration)
>> more (reserve training)
The Los Angeles/Orange County MicroStation User Group is hosting two dinner events this December focusing on implementing BIM. Attend the event that is most convenient for you:
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Wednesday, Dec. 4
6:30-8:30 p.m.
USC: Harris 101
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Thursday, Dec. 5
6-8 p.m.
Orange Coast College: Technology Building Lobby
>> more
BE User Group events
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Bentley seminars
Water Loss Seminar and Workshop 2008
Jan. 28-30, Marbella, Spain
Registration is now open for this global event about the latest modeling technology for water loss detection and reduction. It will feature technical presentations by water loss experts as well as two day WaterCAD and WaterGEMS workshops.
>> more
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Bentley eSeminars
Upcoming Plant eSeminar
ProjectWise Navigator
>> more (register)
Recent Plant eSeminars
Data Manager/Datasheets eSeminar
AutoPLANT P&ID
AutoPLANT Equipment
AutoPLANT Piping
MicroStation - Consolidate Your CAD Platforms
Are two CAD platforms too many for your organization to manage? Why not consolidate by using one that has the capabilities of both and thereby increase your organization's ROI? Learn how you can work as a team on a series of projects with different consultants that use different tools.
>> more
Create PDF with MicroStation V8 XM Edition
Watch this eSeminar to learn more about immutable PDF file publishing capabilities of MicroStation. See how easy it is to add comments to the PDF files using Adobe Acrobat. Learn how to attach PDF files as a reference within a DGN and to create interactive 3D PDF files that contain rendered models with switchable level or layer structures and pre-defined animations for playback and review.
>> more
ProjectWise Passport
Did you know that every MicroStation license covered by a current Bentley SELECT agreement is eligible for a ProjectWise Passport at no additional charge? And did you know that each ProjectWise Passport licenses its holder to use a number of Bentley products, including ProjectWise StartPoint, ProjectWise Navigator, and ProjectWise InterPlot Organizer?
>> more
ProjectWise InterPlot
This presentation provides useful insight on the broad capabilities of ProjectWise InterPlot publishing solutions. ProjectWise InterPlot automates manual and repetitive processes to produce paper and intelligent PDF renditions from drawings and Microsoft Office documents. Using common interfaces and settings, print sets are published on-demand or via workflow events.
>> more
Visual Collaboration with ProjectWise Navigator
Joe Croser, global marketing director, Bentley Platform and SELECT, highlights the challenges associated with assembling a variety of project content in one place for design review and analysis. You can learn to:
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Assemble 2D/3D content from hundreds of applications and file stores
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Review designs and models in an immersive and homogenous environment
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Enrich content by adding comments, project links, and materials for visualization
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Analyze and simulate construction schedules and assess buildability
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Produce portable and intelligent work packages for downstream activities
>>more
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Bentley Institute training calendar
The worldwide schedule of Bentley Institute training
>> more
Regional Training Event for GEOPAK Users
Dec. 10-12, North Miami Beach, Fla.
>> more
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Bentley white papers
Improving Water Utility Revenue by State-of-the-Art Modeling Paradigm
In this article published in Asian Water, Zheng Yi Wu, Ph.D., and Xinghua Xu take a look at the latest development of integrated simulation-optimization modeling paradigms and demonstrate the benefits for municipalities.
>> more (PDF format)
Making PDS Interoperable
In a recent survey taken by Bentley, 90 percent of users said the transition from PDS is important to them. However, only 28 percent said they had enough information to make a decision on which route to take.
This paper is intended to fill that information gap. It sets out options for PDS users to continue gaining value from their PDS systems, and to take an evolutionary approach toward a transition using the components of Bentley's DigitalPlant solution. It also provides information about future developments that will help users work out the timing of investments.
>>more
Managing PDS Documents Effectively
Failing to manage and track all the work-in-progress design files for the complete project makes the synchronization between distributed design teams virtually impossible, and can have disastrous consequences for the project. This white paper investigates the processes involved in managing PDS projects and makes recommendations for process improvements.
>>more
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MicroStation tips from aksinga.com
(Free registration required)
VBA to exchange references
With thanks to Jason Johnson for sharing this application that streamlines the process of editing references.
>> more
Transparent shapes in MicroStation V8
With thanks to Jason Johnson for providing this workflow that describes how to place transparent shapes in MicroStation V8 by utilizing the transparency and clipping options in the Raster Manager.
>> more
Batch delete Design History
With thanks to Van Woods for contributing this MicroStation VBA application that allows you to delete Design History with a batch process.
>> more
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© 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. 685 Stockton Drive, Exton, PA USA 19341. Bentley, the “B” logo, Be, Bentley Buildings Electrical Systems, Bentley Institute, Bentley SELECT, AccuDraw, AccuSnap, AutoPLANT, AutoPLANT P&ID, AutoPLANT Equipment, AutoPLANT Piping, DigitalPlant, GEOPAK, InterPlot, MDL MicroStation, ProjectWise, ProjectWise Navigator, ProjectWise Passport, ProjectWise StartPoint, SELECT, WaterCAD, and WaterGEMS are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated, or one of its direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.