From the course: Learning Bentley MicroStation V8i

Placing linear elements - MicroStation Tutorial

From the course: Learning Bentley MicroStation V8i

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Placing linear elements

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- In this chapter we will be learning how to place basic geometry. That will include linear elements, circular elements, arch elements, and different types of shapes. You will also learn how to apply element attributes to these elements. Element attributes consist of color, line style, line weight, transparency and priority. Let's take a look at how you can draw some basic elements using the linear geometry tools. First, I will select the View groups list at the bottom of the application window. And select the Draw Linear Elements Model to open up this first model. Here you can see we have two linear element types, a Smartline and a Line. The difference between a Smartline and a Line is that a Smartline contains multiple segments that are all connected as a single element. While a Line has individual segments, each one independent of the other. Let's look at how I created both of these elements. Using the Task Navigation panel, you will see the first two linear commands are Smartline and Line. The Smartline command is the tool with the light bulb. Using the Tool Settings dialogue, I can create a line using different types of segments. Lines or Archs. I will select Line and define the Vertex Type as Sharp. Turn on the Joint Elements toggle to make sure that the Smartline is a continuous group of segments joined together. I always recommend using Smartline as opposed to Line whenever possible, because it offers more functionality later on during the modification process. Select the Place Smartline command. And start by issuing the first left mouse click to start the line. As I drag my cursor across the screen, I will drag the Smartline in the X direction initially left-clicked on the mouse to accept a point. Then, I will drag the line down in the negative Y direction and left-click to issue a point. Last, I will drag the line in the X direction again, and left-click to issue a point. I will hit the Escape key to stop the current element. When I hover on this new line, you'll see that I have a Smartline that is a contiguous string of segments. If I do the same thing using the Line command, and echo the same cursor movement and distances, each segment is an individual element. Select the Place Line command and issue the first left mouse click to start the Line. I will drag the line in the X direction and left-click on the mouse to issue a point. Then I will drag the line down in the Y direction and left-click to issue a point. Last, I will drag the line in the X direction again, and left-click to issue a point. This time, I will use the right click on the mouse to reset and stop the current line. Note, I am still in the Place Line command and I can draw another line. Hit the Escape key to stop the current Line element. And MicroStation automatically selects the Element Selection command. Using the Element Selection command I can hover over the line elements and see that these segments are all separate. Next, I'll place the Smartline again. And issue a left mouse click to start a line. I'll drag in the X direction and issue a left mouse click. Then, in the middle of the Smartline command, I will use the Tool Settings dialogue to change the Segment Type to Archs. Back in the View window, I'll drag the cursor straight down and issue a left mouse click. I can use my cursor to change the direction of the arch until I have a 180 degree swing. Now, using the Tool Settings dialogue again, I will change the segment type back to Lines. And continue drawing the Smartline. To align with the previous Line, I will use the Enter key and hover on the start point of the first Line. Here, I will issue a left mouse click to accept that point. And the Line automatically aligns. Again, I will change the Segment Type back to Arch, and complete the capsule-looking element. Now let's use the Smartline command to draw lines with non-sharp vertices. I will select the Place Smartline command. And I will change the Vertex type to a Round in radius. And define the radius to 20 feet. When using input values in MicroStation do not use the foot or inch unit labels. Just key in the number values. MicroStation does not understand symbols for the units, just numbers. Now, I will draw a new Smartline to demonstrate how you can draw fillated corners automatically with the Smartline command. Be sure to right-click on your mouse to reset when complete. Using the Line command, the only options available are Length and Angle. I don't typically use these tool settings for placing line command lengths. Because using Acudraw is much easier. Be sure to watch the chapter on Acudraw to learn how to do precision input. As a quick demonstration here, I can just drag the line in any direction and key in a distance value. If the compass is set to X and Y, using a rectangular square compass, I can use the Spacebar to switch to the round compass which will give me distance and angel. I can use the tab key to switch between the two fields. As I said, Acudraw is covered in detail in the next chapter in this course. Here, we will place some basic geometry so you can get familiar with how to use commands with the mouse.

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