Micro Station Tips & Tricks

Your It’s Time for Learning BE 2007
Technology
Advantage
MicroStation
Champions
A Tips & Tricks Special Feature
Presented by:
Jeanne Aarhus
jeanne@aarhusassociates.com
aarhus
ASSOCIATES
12005 Quail Drive
Bellevue, NE 68123-1175
Office: 402-408-9696
www.aarhusassociates.com
Trademarks
MicroStation V8 XM, V8.x and J, AccuDraw and SmartLine are registered trademarks of Bentley
Systems, Inc. ADT is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe
Systems, Incorporated.
Copyright © 2007 Aarhus Associates, LLC. All other product names are trademarks of their respective
owners. Aarhus Associates believes the information in this publication is accurate as of its publication
date. Such information is subject to change without notice and is subject to applicable technical product
descriptions. Aarhus Associates is not responsible for inadvertent errors.
Contact Information
åarhus ASSOCIATES, LLC

12005 Quail Drive
Jeanne Aarhus
(402) 408-9696
Your Technology Advantage 12005 Quail Drive
aarhus ASSOCIATES
Office: 402-408-9696
Jeanne Aarhus is known for keeping her training sessions fast-moving and fun while still providing a thorough
understanding of the topic. She has been working with various CAD systems and applications since the early 1980’s, when
she began using Intergraph’s VAX-based IGDS system. She has gained experience in many CAD related fields that have
included production drawing, coordination, end-user support, programming, and training for PC and UNIX based CAD
applications.
Her specialty is in providing users with the necessary tools to increase productivity and get the job done as efficiently as
possible. She has 20+ years of experience using MicroStation and AutoCAD in the Mapping and AEC environments, and
she continues to focus on maximizing the user’s time and productivity using these constantly changing tools. She is
certified in all levels of MicroStation and AutoCAD which enables her to assist users moving from one CAD environment
to another easily and proficiently.
She has conducted seminars and workshops on CAD productivity for managers and users in both corporate and college
settings. Jeanne has provided training workshops and been actively involved in International, National and Local CAD
Users Groups, and is known for her “real-world” approach to learning. Here are a few comments from previous students:
… Presentation was exactly what I was looking for!

…Jeanne is a great instructor!... Lots of energy!... Made learning fun again!
…Jeanne is very knowledgeable!....and was very pleasant and patient when I needed help!
…Excellent knowledge from instructor, able to answer any questions with real life experience!
…Jeanne Aarhus is one of the best instructors I have ever had
Available Training Classes

Bentley Products Other Presentations & Workshops
• MicroStation V8.x or V8 XM Update • Productivity Tips & Tricks
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• Cool Tools for MicroStation
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• AutoCAD Fundamentals • MicroStation “Interesting Occurrences”
• AutoCAD Advanced …ie. (Dirty Tricks)
• AutoCAD Plotting and Sheet Sets • Using Styles in V8.x or V8 XM
• Architectural Desktop 2008 Update • Migrating to V8.x or V8 XM
• Architectural Desktop Fundamentals • V8.x/V8 XM Tips for Users
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• Architectural Desktop for CAD Managers/Power • What’s NEW in MicroStation V8.x or V8 XM
Users • Automate Your Standards
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MicroStation Champions - A Tips & Tricks Special Feature 1
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MicroStation Champions
A Tips & Tricks Special Feature
A panel of accomplished MicroStation users open conference week when they deliver an afternoon of
un-missable presentations. Each one designed to teach users a wealth of tips & tricks, shortcuts, and best
practices. Miss this featured session at your peril.
LEGEND
Available in MicroStation V8.x
Available in MicroStation V8 XM
Copyright © 2007 – Jeanne Aarhus, Aarhus Associates, LLC – All Rights Reserved Do Not Duplicate
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1 Using Handles
There are several new functions available using Handles in V8.x and V8 XM. If you haven’t tried them
out take another look. You will be impressed!
V8.x Users
Those still using V8 can take advantage of some of the new handles features such as:
• multiple handle editing
• text line length editing
Multiple Handles
Use the CTRL key to select multiple handles individually or with a “window”. This allows you to
lock specific handles geometry during the edit process.
V8 XM Users
Those using V8 XM can use the new additional functionality such as;
• alternate text handles
• alternate handle mode editing
• automatic copy using handles
• clip boundary editing
Alternate Text Handles

You should notice that you have two types of handles for text in
V8 XM. The “normal” blue square handles and the “alternate”
green circle handles. If you select a green circle handle you can
modify the line length of the text element and dynamically
change the word wrap of the paragraph.
You can use the ALT key when selecting a text element to toggle between the “normal” and
“alternate” handles.
Alternate Handle Mode Editing

Use ALT key to toggle the angle editing capabilities using a handle.
Automatic Copy Using Handles

Use the CTRL key while dragging elements to automatically copy selected elements.
Clip Boundary Editing

Use handles to modify the clipping boundary of references files. This only works if treat attachment
as element is activated.
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2 Using Element Information

The new Element Information dialog available in V8 XM is an entirely new change from previous
releases. Here are just a few of the new things you can do with it.
• Straighten multiple elements in a single step

• Modify geometry settings in a single step
• Edit Text in Cells
Straighten Multiple Elements in a Single Step

Select the elements you need to straighten and modify the angle setting in Element Information to
the required angle.
Before After
Modify Multiple Elements Geometry in a Single Step

Select multiple elements that require similar modifications and change the geometry in a single step.
Here are just a few examples:
Before After
Edit Text in Cells

Use the new element information dialog to edit text in cells. You can also Double-Click to edit Text
in a cell.
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3 Using Quick Info

In V8 XM use ALT + <Right-Click> to access the new Quick Info dialog.
You can even custom what information in on the Quick Info dialog
using a <Right-Click> menu.
4 Place Note with Multiple Leaders

Using V8 XM you can place a note with multiple leaders. Just hold down the <CTRL> key while
placing the note for multiple leaders.
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5 Import Levels BY CHOICE

Using V8 XM you can choose what levels to import from
another file.
6 Deleting those “Obstinate” Levels

Have you ever had trouble deleting a level? First, you should check that it isn’t in a level library, then if
you still can’t delete check the properties of that level in the Level Manager. Just select the level you
want to delete and <Right-Click> to access the properties command. Select the USAGE tab and review
where that level is still being used. This should help
pinpoint the problem.
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7 Choose Previous
Have you ever accidentally dropped a selection by missing an element? Of course not….that only
happens to other users right? Here is a great solution for you; just in case it ever happens to you too!
Use the key-in CHOOSE PREVIOUS to re-select your selection set.
Put this on a function key or even the <Right-Click> menu for easy access.
8 Snap Preferences
Well, this one is long overdue. If you work in a large office you are bound to open a DGN file and
discover that some “yahoo” has set the default snap mode to what you consider a most illogical snap
mode (maybe ORIGIN or BISECTOR?). This causes you to have to re-define the saved snap mode to
your preferred mode (maybe KEYPOINT?) and run the Save Settings command to store it in the file as
the default.
Well, those days are over. In V8 XM you can define your snap mode preferences in a configuration
variable so that every file you open ignores the previous users preferences and sets yours! Use the
following variable to define your favorite snap modes.
MS_SNAPMODE_SOURCE
0 – read from current DGN (this is the default setting)
1 – read from user preferences for all files
9 A New Way to Stretch

Use the new Stretch command provided in V8 XM to stretch without a Fence. Finally!
You can find this new command on the

Manipulate toolbox.
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10 Quicker Popups
V8.x and V8 XM both provide the ability to control the speed of your pop-up dialogs. You can slow it
down or speed it up as needed using the following configuration variable.
MS_POPUPDIALOGCLOSEDELAY
The value is specified in 1/60 second increments and should be defined as an integer number. For
example:
1 = 1/60 second
30 = ½ second (this is the default setting)
60 = 1 second
The dialogs below are just some of the dialogs controlled by this configuration variable.
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11 Modify Your View of Level Attribute

V8.x and V8 XM both allow you to modify how you view the Level attribute in the Attribute toolbar.
Use either of the following configuration variables to modify how you see the level list.
MS_LEVEL_PICKER_WIDTH
MS_LEVEL_PICKER_WIDTH = 100
MS_LEVEL_DISPLAY_FORMAT
You can modify how your level names are
displayed using this configuration variable. For
example use the following characters to change
what information is displayed.
D – description
N – name
C - code
Try using a combination of these characters.

Default
D
C
C-N-D
N(C)
N-D
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12 focus…Focus…FOCUS
One of the most 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 - datapoint, 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
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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
Misc
ESC - Takes you Home. Same as pressing ESC
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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13 Customizing YOUR Focus

Now that you know the default focus settings you can “tweak” them to reflect your style of working in
MicroStation. Use the following commands to customize and modify the default function keys for
controlling focus.
inputmanager cmdbrowse
inputmanager currenttask
inputmanager home
inputmanager menu
Default Attribute Toolbar
inputmanager popupitem attributes,1 – open Attribute toolbar item 1 at the cursor (element template)
inputmanager popupitem attributes,2 – open Attribute toolbar item 2 at the cursor (levels)
inputmanager popupitem attributes,3 – open Attribute toolbar item 3 at the cursor (color)
inputmanager popupitem attributes,4 – open Attribute toolbar item 4 at the cursor (style)
inputmanager popupitem attributes,5 – open Attribute toolbar item 5 at the cursor (weight)
inputmanager popupitem attributes,6 – open Attribute toolbar item 6 at the cursor (transparency)
inputmanager popupitem attributes,7 – open Attribute toolbar item 7 at the cursor (priority)
Modified Attribute Toolbar
inputmanager popupitem attributes,1 – open Attribute toolbar item 1 at the cursor (element template)
inputmanager popupitem attributes,2 – open Attribute toolbar item 2 at the cursor (levels)
inputmanager popupitem attributes,3 – open Attribute toolbar item 3 at the cursor (transparency)
inputmanager popupitem attributes,4 – open Attribute toolbar item 4 at the cursor (priority)
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14 Match Attributes on Steroids

There are several new ways to match element attributes in both versions of MicroStation.
V8.x Users
Don’t forget about the new ways to match attributes in V8 2004. Assign these key-ins to function keys
to really get production rolling.
• match attributes fromcursor – match active attribute settings

• match symbology fromcursor – match level symbology settings
• match level fromcursor – match level
• match color fromcursor – match color
• match weight fromcursor – match weight
• match style fromcursor – match style
• match element fromcursor – match all element attribute settings (SmartMatch)
V8 XM Users
Try out these new options in V8 XM
• Drag-n-Drop an element on to the Attributes toolbar

• Use ALT + Data Point to match highlighted elements active attributes
Drag-n-Drop
Drag an element to the Attribute toolbar setting you want to match. That attribute will change to
match the dropped element. Drag the element to the level to match level; color to match color; or
drag element to the preview area to match all attributes.
ALT + Data Point

Hover over an element and hold down the ALT key on the keyboard while selecting the element
with the data button on the mouse.
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15 Fields of Dreams
V8 XM introduced the concept of using fields for text information in your DGN files.
Using Fields – element info (area, length, coordinates)

and how to use fields from element information in the
drawing
Key-in FIELD UPDATE SELECT

Key-in FIELD UPDATE ALL
Drag-n-Drop fields into drawing from element information dialog into your drawing to create fields
automatically.
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16 Array Along Path

This is a great addition to the old Array command. You can array any element along a defined path
using a specific number, distance or both. Try this one out once and you’ll be hooked!
Be sure to use the Rotate Items

tool setting when needed to better
align those arrayed items.
17 Default Reference Attachment to World

You can change how your reference files attach by default using the following configuration variable.
MS_REF_DEFAULTSETTINGS=attachMethod=World
You can control many default settings reference attachment settings using this variable.
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18 Edit References as Elements

In V8 XM you can now use your element editing commands to modify reference files. This won’t work
by default, but it is easily set during the attachment process.
Open the Reference dialog and modify the following setting

on a reference file. Now you can use move, rotate, and
other modification tools on this reference file.
19 Active File Clipping

Another use for a clipping element is the ability to clip the active file along with reference files. This
can be very useful when working in large layouts such as city maps or large facilities and your project
focuses in one area only. You can minimize your viewing manipulations by clipping the active file
using the Clip Volume view command and a clipping element.
Be sure to turn on the View Attribute Clip

Volume to see the results.
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20 Element Clipping
Most of us continue to use a fence to clip reference files, and that has been an effective way to do this
for years. But now there is another method using elements that offer additional capabilities that can
easily be overlooked. Try it once and you’ll be hooked! Take a look at the following examples of how
you can use elements rather than fences to clip those
reference files.
Modify Clip Boundaries

Making modifications to the clipping boundary is
much easier if an element is used to perform the
clipping operation rather than a fence. Not only can
you keep the element around for later use; you can
modify the element with additional options such as
insert or delete vertex. If you don’t want the clipping
element to plot place it on a non-plotting level.
Pan References Behind the Clip

Boundary
Using an element in a reference
file for the clipping boundary
gives you an additional reference
file feature. You can “pan” the
reference file behind the clipping
boundary. Select the reference
file you need to pan and use the
MOVE command to move the
reference file around behind the
clipped element. Since the
clipping element is in a reference
file it will not move unless you
select it to move with the other
reference files.
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That's probably more than I have time for….but hopefully not

more that you wanted to know!
Thank you for your time

Hope you enjoyed the session!
Looking for customized Training and Standards consulting

using your company standards and procedures?
Call for affordable and flexible rates and schedules.
Contact:
åarhus ASSOCIATES, LLC

12005 Quail Drive
Jeanne Aarhus
(402) 408-9696
Copyright © 2007 Aarhus Associates, LLC. Aarhus Associates and the Aarhus Associates Logo are registered trademarks of Aarhus Associates. All other
product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Aarhus Associates believes the information in this document is accurate as of its publication
date. Such information is subject to change without notice and is subject to applicable technical product descriptions. Aarhus Associates is not responsible
for inadvertent errors.

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Your It’s Time for Learning BE 2007

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… Presentation was exactly what I was looking for!

Available Training Classes

Call for Affordable Training with a Quality Guarantee www.aarhusassociates.com

Available in MicroStation V8.x

Alternate Text Handles

Alternate Handle Mode Editing

Automatic Copy Using Handles

Clip Boundary Editing

2 Using Element Information

• Straighten multiple elements in a single step

Straighten Multiple Elements in a Single Step

Modify Multiple Elements Geometry in a Single Step

Edit Text in Cells

3 Using Quick Info

4 Place Note with Multiple Leaders

5 Import Levels BY CHOICE

6 Deleting those “Obstinate” Levels

Use the key-in CHOOSE PREVIOUS to re-select your selection set.

9 A New Way to Stretch

You can find this new command on the

11 Modify Your View of Level Attribute

Try using a combination of these characters.

Make note of new icons in the status bar

ESC (F10) – move focus to Tool Settings

SPACEBAR (F11) – move focus to accudraw dialog

Home (F12) – move focus Home

Data Point (Left click)

Left Click + Selection Tool

Reset (Right Click)

Mouse Chord (Left+Right Click)

13 Customizing YOUR Focus

Default Attribute Toolbar

Modified Attribute Toolbar

14 Match Attributes on Steroids

• match attributes fromcursor – match active attribute settings

• Drag-n-Drop an element on to the Attributes toolbar

ALT + Data Point

Using Fields – element info (area, length, coordinates)

Key-in FIELD UPDATE SELECT

16 Array Along Path

Be sure to use the Rotate Items

17 Default Reference Attachment to World

18 Edit References as Elements

Open the Reference dialog and modify the following setting

19 Active File Clipping

Be sure to turn on the View Attribute Clip

Modify Clip Boundaries

Pan References Behind the Clip

That's probably more than I have time for….but hopefully not

Thank you for your time

Looking for customized Training and Standards consulting

åarhus ASSOCIATES, LLC

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