1B V8 Secrets

Your NEUG Spring 2008
Technology
Advantage
MicroStation
V8 SECRETS
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, MicroStation/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 2008 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
arhus 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
1980s, when she began using Intergraphs 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 users 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 or XM Update Productivity Tips & Tricks
MicroStation Fundamentals MicroStation or AutoCAD
MicroStation for AutoCAD Users More Tips & Tricks
MicroStation for Power Users MicroStation or AutoCAD
MicroStation for CAD Managers Customizing MicroStation or AutoCAD
PDF Composer For the USER
Interplot Fundamentals MicroStation for AutoCAD Users
AutoCAD for MicroStation Users
Adobe Products Workspaces
Adobe Professional for CAD Users Making Them Work for YOU
Integrating PDFs into your Projects AccuDraw & Smartline
Cool Tools for MicroStation
Autodesk Products Cool Tools for AutoCAD
AutoCAD 2008 Update Whats NEW in MicroStation V8 or XM
AutoCAD Fundamentals MicroStation Interesting Occurrences
AutoCAD Advanced ie. (Dirty Tricks)
AutoCAD Plotting and Sheet Sets Using Styles in V8 or XM
Architectural Desktop 2008 Update Migrating to V8 or XM
Architectural Desktop Fundamentals V8/XM Tips for Users
Architectural Desktop Advanced V8/XM Tips for CAD Managers
Architectural Desktop for CAD Managers/Power Whats NEW in MicroStation V8 2004 or XM
Users Automate Your Standards
Building Systems Fundamentals MicroStation or AutoCAD
Mechanical/Electrical/Piping Manage Your Standards
Revit Building for ADT Users MicroStation or AutoCAD
Revit Building Fundamentals
Custom Training/Workshop also available
Call for Affordable Training with a Quality Guarantee www.aarhusassociates.com

MicroStation V8 Secrets 1
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1 DRAG-n-DROP those files into XREF MANAGER

Did you know you can DRAG n DROP files from the Windows Explorer right into the Reference Files
dialog box. YESboth DGNs and Raster Files work this way! Try it.
2 Modify CLIP REFERENCE Live

If you use an element to clip your reference files, then you can modify the clip boundary at any
timelive!
3 CLIP and MASK at the Same Time

You can also use the element to clip and mask the references at the same time. Use a GROUP HOLE
element to get both CLIP MASK and CLIP BOUNDARY simultaneously.
Copyright 2008 Jeanne Aarhus, Aarhus Associates, LLC All Rights Reserved Do Not Duplicate
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4 SCROLL and PAN at the Same Time

Tentative snap on the screen and roll the wheel mouse, this will cause the Tentative location to move to
the CENTER of the screen and ZOOM.
5 CHOOSE PREVIOUS
If use selections sets, you will love these two keyin commands. If you accidentally let go of your
selection set you can keyin CHOOSE PREVIOUS and it will re-select the previous selection set.
6 TRIM SET
Use the selection set tool and the trim command to compliment each other. Both of these commands
are great individuallybut together they are awesome!
7 Defining the Origin of a Selection Set in Clipboard

Once you get used to using selection sets, you use them a lot, and one of the first "hurdles" I ran into
was "How can I control the ORIGIN of what is in the Clipboard?" Especially when I want to make a
JUNK CELL! Easy.here's how:
Just TENTATIVE SNAP to the desired ORIGIN.but don't ACCEPT it!

Thenselect Edit Copy to copy the selection to the clipboard.
Select Edit Paste to paste the selection in this drawing or in another drawing.
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8 Changing the MicroStation Manager Interface

This is one change that I have been waiting to use as the default. If you have ever received complaints
from users that MicroStation is not windows-like here is your solution. This user preference will
change the appearance of MicroStation Manager to the more windows-like version. I love it.!
Change the following user preference to use the
new Windows File Open dialog. This provides all
the great Windows commands as well as all the
old MicroStation commands. Check it out!
You can rename, delete, copy to clipboard, etcall the windows commands that most users already
know!
And for you old MicroStation users, you can revert back to the old MicroStation manager for a single
file open by using the <SHIFT > + <ESC> . They think of everything dont they?
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9 More Screen Space!!!!

V8 2004 provides a new feature that allows you to use the large dialogs without actually opening
them!
10 Rotated View?
Have you ever wondered if the view you are currently looking at is rotated? This has always been a
difficult thing to determine without actually rotating the view to check. If you use AccuDraw, try this
one out!
Use the T AccuDraw shortcut to determine if a view is rotated during any MicroStation command.
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11 The NEW COMPRESS

This old command has gotten a face-lift in V8 2004. You can now control what data is being removed
upon a FILE COMPRESS.
Compress Options:
12 LEVEL Purge
This command is a key-in command that will delete levels from the design file. If the level is used, the
all elements from that level will be moved to the default level.
On second thought, maybe I shouldnt have mentioned this one right? Hopefully everyone out there is
thinking really hard about the ramifications of this one!
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13 Per LEVEL SYMBOLOGY?

One of the best new features in V8 is the ability to define level symbology on a per level basis. I cant
applaud this feature enough! Thanks Bentley!
Open the Level Manager dialog box and what you see defined here is the BYLEVEL symbology by
default
If you want to use Level Symbology you must change the SYMBOLOGY setting to
OVERRIDES
If you want to change the symbology on just ONE LEVEL you can! Check it out!
If you dont want ALL LEVELS to display symbology, just turn the overrides off on the levels that you
want to remain in BYLEVEL symbology
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14 Multi-Snaps
If you have ever needed to use the KEYPOINT snap and the INTERSECTION snap together, well, in
the past you just did a lot of switching back and forth right? Not anymore.V8 2004 allows you to set
up common multi-snap configurations that you want to have available. Heres how.
Multi-Snap 1 Multi-Snap 2 Multi-Snap 3
15 Move Those Tricky Dialogs

Have you ever had a dialog get stuck just far enough off the screen that you cant move it? You can
only re-size it? Yep, me to! Here is a great little trick to help you fix this problem.
Use the SHIFT + Right-Mouse button to move the dialog and restrict the default re-size option.
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16 Easy Cell Editing

MicroStation V8 allows you to edit cells easily.
STEP 1: Select Element Cells
STEP 2: Select File SurveySymb.cel from the Cell Library dialog list
STEP 3: Select the cell SWPADX

Switch Pad Existing from
the list of cells
STEP 4: <Right-Click> and select the

command Open for Editing
You are now in the actual cell library file

where you can edit the cell SWPADX or
any of the cells in that cell library.
STEP 5: Select the Models command

and navigate to any of the
cells you want to edit.
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17 Move Cells between Library Files

You can also move cells from one library to another using some simple steps. First, you must open a
second session of MicroStation and tile both application windows side-by-side.
STEP 1: File OpenBLANK_V8.DGN in the new MicroStation application window
STEP 2: Open the Models dialog in both application windows
STEP 3: Identify the SWPADX cell in the first application window
STEP 4: <Drag-n-Drop> the cell into the models dialog in the second application window.
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18 Isolate Elements
You can isolate an area of your drawing without having to rely on levels as the only filtering
mechanism, and you can use the geographic area to isolate your elements.
STEP 1: Use the Selection Tool to select the elements in the drawing you want to isolate.
STEP 2: Use <SHIFT+Right-Click> and select Displayset Set
To use this displayset you must turn on the Displayset view attribute.
STEP 3: Select Settings View Attributes
STEP 4: Turn ON the Displayset attribute and pick the

APPLY button.
To temporarily clear the displayset
STEP 5: Turn OFF the Displayset attribute and pick the

APPLY button.
To permanently clear the displayset
STEP 6: Use <SHIFT+Right-Click> and select Displayset

Clear
You can also add and remove elements to the displayset.
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19 More Isolation
Use the Clip Volume view command to isolate elements in a 2D or 3D file geographically. This is a
great method for reducing view manipulations during an editing session and creating a just what you
need working environment.
STEP 1: Select Tools View Control to open the

toolbar for the additional view controls.
STEP 2: Select the Clip Volume command from the

view control toolbar and review the available tool setting options
Clip Volume by Element

Clip Volume by 2 Points
Clip Volume by Polygon
Clip Volume by Element Range
Hide or Show Clip Volume Element
Clear Clip Volume
STEP 3: Select the Clip Volume by 2 Points option and define the
area you want to clip.
Verify that the Display Clip Element is checked ON.
To view a clip volume you must turn on the appropriate view attribute setting
STEP 4: Select Settings View Attributes
STEP 5: Turn ON the Clip Volume attribute and pick the

APPLY button.
To temporarily clear the Clip Volume
STEP 6: Turn OFF the Clip Volume attribute and pick the
APPLY button.
To permanently clear the displayset
STEP 7: Pick the Clear Clip Volume tool setting option.
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20 Zoom to Selection Truels Wissneth www.askinga.com
Now lets use these new tools for some clever view commands. Would you like to zoom to a selection
set? If so, add the following key-in to your favorite function key:
set displayset on;selview 1;displayset set selection;fit all;point ab;displayset clear extended
If you want the elements to automatically de-select just add the command choose none to the end of
the string.
set displayset on;selview 1;displayset set selection;fit all;point ab;displayset clear

extended;choose none
21 Deleting those Obstinate Levels

Have you ever had trouble deleting a level? First, you should
check that it isnt in a level library, then if you still cant 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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22 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.
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23 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 = 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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24 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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25 Match Attributes on Steroids

There are several new ways to match element attributes in both versions of MicroStation.
V8.x Users
Dont 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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26 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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27 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 youll 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 dont 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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28 Fun with Simple Commands Sneaky Tips from the evil Jeanne
My Update View
Modify the Update View button so that everything disappears!
view clear;selv 1;
My Fence
So you say you dont like selection sets? Time for some tough love therapy!
Modify the Place Fence button so that you have to learn to use selection sets!
place fence;/d;/d;T,null;fence selection new;place fence;
My Pan Command
This one is hard to describe, but it gets a big reaction.
Key-in the following command on your co-workers screen and walk away.
SET AUTOPAN ON
Then just sit back and enjoy the show! When they try to do a fit and find their drawingit just runs
away again! HEHEHEHEHEHE
PSthe only way to stop it is to turn it OFF. This one is fun and harmless!
Use this key-in to turn it off.
SET AUTOPAN OFF
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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:
arhus ASSOCIATES, LLC

12005 Quail Drive
Jeanne Aarhus
(402) 408-9696
Copyright 2008 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 NEUG Spring 2008

arhus ASSOCIATES, LLC

Presentation was exactly what I was looking for!

Available Training Classes

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

1 DRAG-n-DROP those files into XREF MANAGER

2 Modify CLIP REFERENCE Live

3 CLIP and MASK at the Same Time

4 SCROLL and PAN at the Same Time

7 Defining the Origin of a Selection Set in Clipboard

Just TENTATIVE SNAP to the desired ORIGIN.but don't ACCEPT it!

8 Changing the MicroStation Manager Interface

9 More Screen Space!!!!

11 The NEW COMPRESS

13 Per LEVEL SYMBOLOGY?

Multi-Snap 1 Multi-Snap 2 Multi-Snap 3

15 Move Those Tricky Dialogs

16 Easy Cell Editing

STEP 1: Select Element Cells

STEP 3: Select the cell SWPADX

STEP 4: <Right-Click> and select the

You are now in the actual cell library file

STEP 5: Select the Models command

17 Move Cells between Library Files

STEP 1: File OpenBLANK_V8.DGN in the new MicroStation application window

STEP 2: Open the Models dialog in both application windows

STEP 3: Identify the SWPADX cell in the first application window

STEP 2: Use <SHIFT+Right-Click> and select Displayset Set

STEP 3: Select Settings View Attributes

STEP 4: Turn ON the Displayset attribute and pick the

To temporarily clear the displayset

STEP 5: Turn OFF the Displayset attribute and pick the

To permanently clear the displayset

STEP 6: Use <SHIFT+Right-Click> and select Displayset

You can also add and remove elements to the displayset.

STEP 1: Select Tools View Control to open the

STEP 2: Select the Clip Volume command from the

Clip Volume by Element

STEP 4: Select Settings View Attributes

STEP 5: Turn ON the Clip Volume attribute and pick the

To temporarily clear the Clip Volume

To permanently clear the displayset

STEP 7: Pick the Clear Clip Volume tool setting option.

20 Zoom to Selection Truels Wissneth www.askinga.com

set displayset on;selview 1;displayset set selection;fit all;point ab;displayset clear

21 Deleting those Obstinate Levels

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

24 Modify Your View of Level Attribute

Try using a combination of these characters.

25 Match Attributes on Steroids

match attributes fromcursor match active attribute settings

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

ALT + Data Point

26 Active File Clipping

Be sure to turn on the View Attribute Clip

Modify Clip Boundaries

Pan References Behind the

place fence;/d;/d;T,null;fence selection new;place fence;

SET AUTOPAN OFF

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

Thank you for your time

Looking for customized Training and Standards consulting

arhus ASSOCIATES, LLC

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