MicroStation 3D Graphics User Training Guide

MicroStation 3D Graphics User Training
Training Guide
Introduction to MicroStation 3D Chapter 1
Introduction to MicroStation 3D
Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-1

3D Space Consideration
When we work in 2D, we are drawing in a flat area, which only have X and Y
coordinate to define the position of an element in the design plane.
In 3D environment, it is not a single plane anymore. Depth is being introduced

as the third dimension and it can be imagine as a design cube. It is what we
called the Z coordinate.
The global origin

The global origin is defined in a position of the design cube that all the
coordinates of X, Y and Z are equal to ZERO. This means they all have equal
range of positive and negative coordinates in the three dimensions.
The global origin,all

the coordinates are zero

The Drawing Coordinate System

The drawing coordinate system of our model are said to be Absolute which
are related to the pre-set Global Origin and do not change when changing
view. In other words, drawing coordinates are NOT dependent on the view
that you are working in. They are global coordinate system.
This is the 3D design cube of the seed file - seed3d.dgn. The direction of the
axis illustrates the direction of the drawing coordinate system.

View Coordinate Systems

View Coordinate Systems is view dependent and it is always be X to the right,
Y up the screen and Z out of the screen. It is different to the drawing
coordinate system because they are based on different axis.
In top view, the view coordinate and the drawing coordinate are coincided. In
view coordinate, the values keyed in are relative to a known existing point.
Right-Hand Coordinate System to

illustrate Drawing Coordinate System
and View Coordinate System.
Exercise - Relative View Coordinate
A 3d line has one endpoint of XY=10,10,10. You are now working on the right
view of the design file. You entered DX=5,10,15. What are the actual drawing
coordinates of the second endpoint?
10
10
10

3D Seed Files
There are numerous 3D seed files that you can use. When create a new
design file in the Create Design File Dialog box, you should pick the select
button and select a 3D seed file before you can start drawing.
In MicroStation/J, the directory of the seed file is

\Bentley\WorkSpace\system\seed
seed3d.dgn This is the seed file you seen in the previous exercise. It has a
3D cube to help you to start drawing in three-dimensional space. You can turn
the label off in the View Attributes dialog box by uncheck the Construction.
3dm.dgn This is exactly the same as the seed3d.dgn except this file is
setup to handle metric units.

3D view controls
The 3D view control toolbox helps
you to change the view of 3D files.
You can find the 3D view control

under the main pull-down menu
TOOLS> VIEW CONTROL > 3D
The 3D view control toolbox helps

you to view 3D files in
MicroStation. It consists of tools
that allows you to Zoom in/Out,
Change the Perspective view of
your objects. We will learn more
about it later on.

Zoom In / Out
It allows you to Zoom in / out of a certain part of your design file.
Exercise – Zoom In/Out
1. Entering Zoom center point

2. Defining the volume of interest
3. Defining the new volume in Front View
4. You should see the new display in front view as a result of zooming in

Change View Perspective

When a view window displays one of the standard isometric views, it follows
the convention of having parallel surfaces remaining parallel. The parts of the
object that are father away from the viewer’s eye don’t seem smaller. These
tools allow you to change the view into a true prospective rather than pictorial
one.
Previous
View
Exercise – Change Perspective
1. Select the change perspective tool

2. Select a view (in this case, the isometric view), the data point that
select a view will be specified as the point that you want to move your
eye from.
3. Define another data point, which you want to move your eye to.
In MicroStation/J, the new Dynamic display helps you to view the perspective
change instantaneously. To enable the Dynamic Display, check the Dynamic
Display box in the Change View Perspective dialog box.
In some case, you might set the perspective on a view by mistake. To

eliminate the perspective you can:
1. Select the Previous View Button on the view windows toolbar or

2. You need to use the Change View Prospective tool. The 1st point
should be near the edge of the view and the 2nd point should be near
the center of the view.

View Volume and display depth
Display depth Control the display of elements by their depth in

the model in the viewing directions
Front Clipping Plane Front of which elements do not display
Back Clipping Plane Beyond which no element appears.
View Volume Display depth and Window Area combined to be a

view volume.
Front Clipping
Display Plane
Depth
Back Clipping
Plane
Display depth is equal to the distance between two clipping plane. Clipping
Planes are set to be perpendicular to a particular view. It is useful when we
want to zoom into a complex model and only like to look at a certain VIEW
Volume.

Exercise - Set the display depth
1. Select the set display depth tool from the 3D view control tool box.
2. Data point on the top view
3. Define the front clipping plane as promoted in the Front View, by data
pointing above the cube top. The front clipping plane will display in the
isometric view. It will appear dynamically
4. Define the Back clipping plane by data pointing below the top face of
the cube. You will also see the black clipping plane in the isometric
view as well.
First data
point
Second data
point
To set Display depth of a view, find another view, which is 90 degree to it to

define the Front Clopping Plane and Back Clipping Plane.

Active Depth
In each view, we know that the view coordinate is x is positive to the right and
Y is positive up the screen. This should be enough when we draw in 2D. But
in 3D, we need to know that XY plane located in where on the Z-axis. The
location of that XY plane on the Z-axis defines the depth for a view.
You can set an active depth in a view so that when you draw, elements would
fall onto that defined depth of the Z-axis.
Front Clipping
Plane
Active Depth
Back Clipping
Plane
The active depth of a design file should fall between the front clipping plane
and the back clipping plane.
In Conclusion,
1. Different views can have their own Active Depth individually
2. Snapping or Keyin can override the current Active Depth
3. You can define a new active depth or display depth whenever you
want.
4. To reset the active depth, do a Fit View with Center Active Depth
Checked

Exercise - Active Depth
1. Create a new design file using the seed3d.dgn as seed file and name it as
activedepth.dgn
2. Access to the view attribute dialog box from the pull-down menu SETTING >
VIEW ATTRIBUTE or by pressing CTRL+B.
3. Turn off the “constructions” so as to turn the display of axis and labels off.
4. Change the Level to 2 and Line Weight to 5
5. Change the Snapping mode to Center and Snap to the cube on the front view.
6. Select the Place Active Point Tool and place a data point there.
You should see the data point we place is located in the bottom
of the cube where the active depth is equal to zero.
7. Now, select the set Active Depth tool from the 3D view toolbar
8. Place a data point on the top view
9. Set the new active depth in the middle of the cube on front view
10. Repeat Step 6 to place more Active point in the design cube.
11. You should notice that those points are place on different depth inside the
cube.

View Rotation
The depth in 3D environment cannot correctly be seen on a 2D screen. MicroStation
allows you to rotate your view so that you can look at the 3D object in any direction.
Both tools do not rotate the actual object. It just likes moving yourself around it.
There are two different methods for rotating view and they are totally different:
1. Change View Rotation
2. Rotate View
Change View Rotation

In 3D View Control Tool box, you can find the change view rotation command. When
you click on the View Rotation Dialog box with a cube there represents your 3D
object.
The cube here

showing the Click to change the
current view rotation. Hold to do
rotation a speed rotation
Standard View
option. You can
change the view
rotation here Step increment
for degree to
rotate
View that you

are working on.
You can change View means rotation is
at any time according to the view
coordinate system
Apply to make
Drawing means
changes
rotation is based on
drawing coordinate
system

Rotate View
The rotate view tool shown up on each view. It resides
on the window view control tool bar where Update view,
Zoom in and Zoom out are there as well. A Simple
rotate view dialog box.
All you need to do is to choose the Method of rotation

and then select the view you want the rotation to be.
EXERCISE
1. Select the rotate view tools, pick the method of rotation

2. Select a view that you want to rotate.
When after the rotation, you cannot see the entire object. Just do a Fit View
with Expand Clipping Planes ON.
Dynamic Display
As seen from the previous exercise, the view rotation tool only gives you an
outline of a cube for rotation and sometimes it is pretty hard to see how the
real object look like. The Dynamic Display is being introduced in
MicroStation/J to allow user to Dynamically rotate the object real time in the
screen.
To turn the Dynamic Display on, just checked the box “Dynamic Display” in
the Rotate View dialog box. You are only rotating the view (ie. How the object
is display). The actual object is never moved.

Questions
• Sketch a three-orthographic-view layout as shown and include the following:
a) The Xd-Yd-Zd positive drawing axis orientation in ALL three views.
b) The Xfs-Yfs-Zfs positive screen axis for and in the Front View
c) The Xls-Yls-Zls for the positive screen axis for and in the Left View.
Then also sketch an

isometric cube as shown,
and label those 3 X-Y-Z T T
positive axes on the
isometric cube.
L F
L F
‚ If you are working in the Right view of an object and you start a line with the
key-in of :XY=3,20,0 and then key-in the endpoint of the line as
:DX=5,10,15, what will the drawing coordinates of that endpoint be? Include
a sketch with the axis and values used to determine the endpoint.
ƒ If you are working in the Front view of an object and you start a line with the
key-in of :XY=5,32,17 and then key-in the other endpoint of the line as
:DX=30,–12,15, what will the drawing coordinates of that endpoint be?
Include a sketch with the axis and values used to determine the endpoint.
„ If you are working in the Front view of an object and you start a line with the
key-in of :XY=5,32,17 and then key-in the other endpoint of the line as
:DL=30,–12,15, what will the drawing coordinates of that endpoint be?
Include a sketch with the axis and values used to determine the endpoint.
… Explain the difference between the Active Depth and the Display Depth. Use a
sketch if needed.
† What is the setting in Fit View that helps you see all of the 3D graphics easily?
‡ When you’re using the Change View Rotation tool in the 3D View Control tool
box, what is the benefit of this area?
ˆ What is a visual cue to the 3D View Control tools that will show you information
but don’t actually change any settings?

Auxiliary Coordinate Systems and AccuDraw in 3D Chapter 2
Auxiliary Coordinate Systems and
AccuDraw in 3D

What is Auxiliary Coordinate System?

Auxiliary Coordinate System (ACS) is another way of controlling the
coordinate used in MicroStation drawing design. ACS allows you to have
more control over the orientation and location of the coordinate system. It lets
you define the origin’s position and axis orientation.
We can enter the coordinates according to the active ACS and MicroStation
will be able to translate the entered coordinate to the drawing coordinate
system. Unlike the view coordinate system, you can redefine it at any time
you want.
There are three types of ACS coordinate system: Rectangular, Cylindrical and
Spherical.
ACS Triad
The 3D cube inside the seed3d.dgn file helps you to identify the orientation of
your X,Y and Z drawing coordinate. The ACS Triad functions like the cube in
the 3D seed file.
When you are working on a design where you have ACS defined, you can
turn this setting on to see the X,Y and X location. It can be turn on by
checking the box of “ACS Triad” in the View Attribute dialog box.

Use of ACS
You can use ACS in a numbers of ways and it is especially useful when you
are trying to start your drawing in 3D.
For example, when you want to draw a line on an inclined plane. It is very
difficult to use drawing coordinate or view coordinate to define. It is where
ACS comes handy in this situation.

ACS Key-in
There are two keyin that are based on the ACS
Absolute Coordinate = AX
Relative Coordinate = AD
ACS origin. It’s

ACS coordinate
is (0,0,0)
ACS Tools and Utilities

There is an ACS toolbox where you can find it in the
main menu pull-down TOOLS > AUXILIARY
COORDINATES
You can find more information in the ACS dialog box

where you can access from UTILITIES > AUXILIARY
COORDINATES. This menu offers a pull-down menu,
which is easier to read then the icon in the toolbar.
Access the ACS

tools in this pull-
down

ACS Plan Lock and Snap

When dealing with ACS tools, you will often
see ACS Plane Lock and ACS Plan Snap in
the dialog box.
You can see only these two options when you are working in 3D design file. It
affect the placement of data point placement and snapping.
ACS Plane Lock, when on, all the data point are forced to lie on the XY Plane
of the ACS and it makes the Z coordinate in the ACS be zero.
ACS Plane Snap, when on, it will try to find a tentative point where it is only
the XY Plane of the ACS. It will NOT prevent the snapping of other elements.
A Data Point
is being place
here.
The XY Plane
of the ACS is
here.
It is how the ACS Plane Lock works. When on, the data point being place in
will automatically be falls into the XY Plane of the ACS coordinates.

Define ACS
Define by Element
Defining the ACS from an existing element in the

drawing is doing this. The data point identify the
element will be determined as the origin of the
ACS. i.e. The ACS coordinate (0,0,0)
1. Identify an element in design file to define

ACS
2. Snap on a tentative point on the element
where you want it to be the origin of the
ACS coordinate
3. Place a data point to confirm
4. Place another point to accept the selected element.
The origin in the above ACS dialog box is where the ACS origin location in the
drawing coordinate system.

Define by Point
This is another useful method of defining the ACS. It got more control of how
the ACS will be.
There are three steps to define the ACS by points
1. Define the origin of the ACS

2. Define the positive X axis of the ACS
3. Define the positive Y axis of the ACS
Define by View
This is being use to set the ACS plane back to the same as the drawing
plane.
It is being done by :
1. Select the define by view ACS tool
2. Data point on the Top view of the drawing to confirm that you want it to
align with the view
The ACS is now oriented to the drawing plane but the coordinate is not at
(0,0,0) of the drawing coordinate. You can set the ACS origin to it by using the
ACS dialog box and change the number in the origin to (0,0,0).

Saving an ACS
You can save the origin of ACS so that you can use it later on. It is being done
in the ACS dialog box.
You can have

one or more
ACS saved
After you have defined an ACS, type a name and a description in the ACS
dialog box and click on the save button. It will then save your ACS origin so
that you can reuse it later on in the drawing.
1. The Name of the ACS should not more than 6 characters.

2. Even if an ACS is defined, you can still draw using the drawing
coordinate and as well the view coordinate.

AccuDraw in 3D
In previous example, we saw how ACS is being use. Now AccuDraw provides
you a more accuracy and precision. AccuDraw has its own coordinate system
and when AccuDraw is active data points are constrained on the AccuDraw
XY Plane.
In 3D environment, AccuDraw is more powerful because of its drawing plane

can easily be rotate and reoriented to suit your needs. It can easily be
oriented to the View coordinate System. The good thing is, no matter which
view you are working on, you can always be set to align with a specific view
coordinate.
For Example, if you are working on the isometric view, you can ask AccuDraw
to align to the top view so that the things being drawing are aligned.
1. The AccuDraw compass give you a visual cue as to its drawing plane’s
origin and orientation
2. The values in the AccuDraw compass are based on the AccuDraw
Drawing Plane and its origin.
3. For AccuDraw shortcut to work correctly, the focus should be in the
AccuDraw dialog.
4. The Change from a Polar Coordinate to Rectangular Coordinate, press
the <SPACEBAR>
Coordinate System Rotation: VIEW

You can align to whatever view you are working on by pressing the <V>
shortcut. It will allow you to rotate the compass to the current position.

Coordinate System Rotation: TOP, FRONT AND SIDE
The above are an example of how AccuDraw works in 3D environment. We

are drawing in the isometric view of the design file with a place line command.
AccuDraw helps on the rotation of the drawing plane with that specific view. It
can be TOP view, FRONT view and SIDE view.
To align the compass, you can use change it in the AccuDraw setting dialog
box in the SETTING>ACCUDRAW

AccuDraw and ACS

AccuDraw also has shortcut to save and recall the ACS. This allows you to
use AccuDraw and its shortcut to get the AccuDraw coordinate system in the
orientation required and then save it as an ACS.
Rotate ACS
The <R><A> shortcut in AccuDraw can let you define the AccuDraw
coordinate system in the same method used in Define By Point for a
Rectangular Type of ACS.
1. Define the Origin

2. Define the X-axis
3. Define the Y-axis
After you have done all the steps in the above. You should find that the
coordinate system in AccuDraw setting should now change to Auxiliary. You
can see the new ACS by turn on the ACS triad.
Write ACS
You can use AccuDraw to help you to save an ACS

setting as well. It is just the same as you use the
ACS dialog box but provide a more convenient way
to save your current ACS coordinate.
<W><A> is the shortcut to save the ACS in AccuDraw
Get ACS
You can also get your ACS coordinate that saved

into the design file from accessing the shortcut
<G><A> in AccuDraw. But one of thing that you
should know before you use this shortcut is that, the
name of the saved ACS.
1. If Origin is turn off. The AccuDraw origin will not be move to match the
ACS.
2. If the Rotation is turn on. The AccuDraw drawing plane will be align to
match the ACS

Exercise – ACS
Place the fist side triangle

1. Create a new design file using the seed file seed3d.dgn
2. Activate AccuDraw
3. Select the Place SmartLine, enter a point in the right view
4. Move the pointer up and to the right, change the compress to Polar
mode by pressing the <SPACEBAR>
5. Keyin 1 in the AccuDraw distance field and 70 to the angle. Switch the
field by using the <TAB> key.
6. Press <S> to rotate the AccuDraw to side rotation, move the pointer
directly downwards and make sure it is indexed to the y-axis., press
<ENTER> to lock the axis.

7. Snap to the starting point of the first side. Accept to define the length of
the second side.
8. Snap a second time at the starting point to accept.
9. Accept, Reset.
Place the second side
1. Select the Copy Element tool, identify the triangle in the Right isometric
view with a data point
2. Press <T> for a Top rotation, moves the pointer index to X-axis to the
right of the AccuDraw origin.
3. Input 1 in the Distance field and Accept, Reset.

Define an ACS on the model
1. Change the focus to AccuDraw, use the shortcut <R><A>
2. The first point is to define the x-axis origin. Snapping to the leftmost
vertex in the triangle (Right isometric view), Accept a data point.
3. Define the x-axis direction by placing a second data point in the

corresponding corner on the other triangle.
4. Define the y-axis direction by Snapping to the top vertex of a triangle,

accept the data point.

5. You now have the ACS defined and It’s origin is now on the leftmost
vertex in triangle.
Placing a block on the model
1. Select the place block tool, use the isometric view to snap a corner of
the lower front vertex of one triangle, data point on that.
2. Select the upper front corner of another triangle and place a data point
there.

Saving the Drawing Plan Coordinate System by Name
1. With AccuDraw shortcut <W><A>
2. Keyin a Name for the ACS, then click OK.
3. Now, use the AccuDraw shortcut <F> for a Front View rotation.
4. Use <G><A> shortcut and keyin the name of your previously saved
Name for an ACS.
5. Start to place the element again and you will notice that the element
will now be placed on the ACS plane.

Questions
• What is an Auxiliary Coordinate System? What is its abbreviation?
‚ Name the 3 different methods discussed for defining an Auxiliary Coordinate

System.
ƒ Name the key-in that uses the absolute Auxiliary Coordinate System.
„ Name the key-in that uses the relative Auxiliary Coordinate System.
… How do you define the origin of the ACS based on an element?
† How many points are involved in a By Points (Rectangular Type) ACS

definition? Name and describe them in order.
‡ In the Auxiliary Coordinate Systems dialog box there are three fields that give the
values for the Origin of the ACS. What coordinate system do these numbers refer
to?
ˆ What is this called? How do you get it to be displayed in a view?
‰ Name the AccuDraw shortcuts that would result in the following compass
orientation while you’re working in the Right Isometric view:
A B C
Š What does the AccuDraw shortcut <G><A> do? Explain some specific
advantages and disadvantages of using this shortcut.

3D Modeling Chapter 3
3D Modeling

What is SmartSolid?
Apart from the new productivity tools found in MicroStation/J, the main
enchantment in 3D is the change from the Surface modeling to Solid
modeling. It uses SmartSolid to represent three-dimensional objects. Previous
version of MicroStation only had surface modeling capabilities. True solid
modeling is found only in the add-on product of MicroStation Modeler.
Functions such as Boolean Operation, extrusions and projections, some part

of the basic modeling tools, are included in MicroStation/J.

Basic Rendering Mode
Wiremesh display Hidden Line display
Filled Hidden Line display Constant shading
Wiremesh display
Similar to wireframe display — all elements are transparent and do not obscure other
elements. Hidden lines are not removed. Curved surfaces are represented by a polygonal
mesh — this can increase the realism of curved surfaces, although it may also increase the
amount of clutter as more lines are displayed for surfaces that would normally be hidden.
Hidden Line display

Only parts of elements that would actually be visible are displayed — lines hidden behind
objects are removed. Also called “polygon” display. Each element is decomposed into
polygons. Hidden line removal takes much longer than wireframe or wiremesh display. In fact,
the display time is about the same as other, more realistic, rendering methods.
Filled Hidden Line display

Similar to Hidden Line display, except the polygons are filled with the element color, creating
a cartoon-like effect that may be useful in some circumstances, especially with hardware that
displays a limited number of colors. Also called “filled polygon” display.
Constant shading
Surfaces are displayed as one or more polygons, each filled with a single (constant) color.
The color is determined by the material definition of the surface and the lighting applied. The
color for each polygon is calculated from the element color, material definitions, and lighting.
Curved surfaces are decomposed into a mesh of polygons, and appear tiled.
The color for each polygon is calculated from the element color and lighting. Curved surfaces
are broken down into a mesh of polygons, and appear tiled.

Some settings that affect SmartSolid

Several settings control the way in which SmartSolids and SmartSurfaces are treated.
These control both the display and the method for selecting SmartSolids and
SmartSurfaces, as well how they are treated when exported as visible edges.
SmartSolids
The SmartSolid Settings dialog box (Element menu > SmartSolids) controls
the default display of SmartSolid elements.
Display
By default, SmartSolids and SmartSurfaces are displayed in Wireframe
display mode. This is the more efficient mode for working with SmartSolids
and SmartSurfaces in a design session. Surfaces display mode should be
used only where the design is to be rendered with an earlier version of
MicroStation (pre MicroStation/J).
Surface Rule Lines

In Wireframe (and Surfaces) display mode, curved surfaces are represented
both by their edge lines and a defined number of rule lines. Surface rule lines
provide a visual indication of a surface's curvature.
With the default setting of 4, for example, a full cylindrical solid is displayed
with 4 surface rule lines, while the same solid cut in half displays with 2
surface rule lines. Planar surfaces, which do not have curvature, are
represented by their edge boundaries only.

3D Main Toolbox
The 3D Main Toolbox is location in the pull-down menu TOOLS> 3D MAIN
It consists of four toolboxes that are used with SmartSolids. They are:
1. 3D construct
2. 3D Modify
3. 3D Primitivies
4. 3D Utility.
1
3
2
4
3D Primitives
There are six basic SmartSolid primitives:
Slab, Sphere, Cylinder, Cone, Torus and Wedge
There are the basic building blocks of your any model. A 3D object can be
creating by using these building blocks and some of the operations such as
union, difference and intersection.
Common Settings
Most of the tools placing the primitives have some
common settings.
Type
The default type is solid. The other option is surface. When we selected the
surface type, the model created will not be a “soild” model. You are
recommended to leave it as default. The Orthogonal check box should also be
checked before we go further.

Axis
The Axis setting can usually be through of the “height” of the primitive. The
axis setting determines which axis of the three-dimensional coordinates
system will be use to corresponding to the primitive’s axis.
It is very important for the primitive because it actually controls how it will be
oriented.
The default Axis is usually Points. If AccuDraw is

running then you will see the axis set to Points
(AccuDraw). Although it is a bit complicated when
using these two settings. Using AccuDraw in 3D
certainly has its advantage.
There are a lot of choices for the Axis setting. These

are all related to 3D space coordinates and either
Drawing Coordinate or Screen Coordinate.
It should be easier to understand and draw if you

use the drawing X,Y,Z.
If you draw using the Drawing Z as the axis:

Place Slab
To place a slab, you have to follow these steps
1. Select the Place Slab tool.

2. Enter a data point to define the origin.
When Axis is set to Points, a side of the slab is parallel to the view in
which this data point is entered.
3. Enter a data point to define the length and rotation angle.
If Length is on, this data point defines the rotation angle.
4. Enter a data point to define the width.
If Width is on, this data point accepts the width.
5. Enter a third data point to define the height.
Place Sphere
1. Select the Place Sphere tool.
2. Enter a data point to define the sphere's center.

3. If Radius is off, enter a data point to define the radius.
If Radius is on, this data point accepts the sphere.

Place Cylinder
1. Select the Place Cylinder tool.
2. Enter a data point to define the

center of the base.
3. Enter a data point to define the
radius.
If Radius is on, this data point
accepts the base.
4. Enter a data point to define the height.
If Height is on, this data point accepts the cylinder.
Place Cone
1. Select the Place Cone tool.
2. Enter a data point to define

the center of the base.
3. Enter a data point to define the base's radius.
If Base Radius is on, this data point accepts the base.
4. Enter a data point to define the height and the top's center.
If Height is on, this data point defines the top's center only. If Orthogonal is
also on, this data point accepts only.
If Orthogonal is on, this data point defines the height only.
5. Enter a data point to define the top radius.
If Top Radius is on, this data point defines the height only.

Place Tours
A torus involves a circular cross-section that is then revolved about an axis.
1. Select the Place Torus tool.
2. Enter a data point to define

the start point.
3. Enter a data point.
Primary Radius: This data point defines:

Off Center, primary radius, and start angle.
On Just the center and start angle.
4. Enter a data point to complete the torus, as follows:
If these are on: This data point defines:

None Secondary radius and sweep angle.
Secondary Radius Sweep angle.
Angle Secondary radius.
Secondary Radius and Angle Direction of the sweep angle rotation.
If the Primary Radius you specify is smaller than the Secondary Radius, the
constrained value will be changed to Primary Radius so that the form of the
torus can maintain.
Angle will be swept in a positive direction

Place Wedge
The Place wedge primitive is also based on a cross-section that is revolved about an
axis.

Exercise – 3D primitives

Boolean Operation
Construct Union
Using this command will join two objects into one solid. Please make sure that
the Keep Original should be set to NONE.
Tool Setting Effect

Determines whether or not the original solids are retained after
constructing the solid.
• None — If set, none of the original solids are retained.

Keep
• All — If set, all of the original solids are retained.
Originals
• First — If set, the first original solid identified is retained.
• Last — If set, the last original solid identified is retained.
To construct a union between overlapping solids
1. Use the Element Selection tool to select the solids.

2. Select the Construct Union tool.
The solids are united into a single solid.
A Slab and A cylinder. There After the operation, there is only

are two objects. one solid object.

Construct Difference
Used to construct a solid that is the intersection of two or more overlapping solids.
Typically, you can use this tool to create a solid from the projected front and side
elevations of an object.
Tool Setting Effect


Keep
Originals
To construct a solid at the intersection of overlapping solids

1. Use the Element Selection tool to select the solids.
2. Select the Construct Intersection tool.
A Slab and A cylinder. There After the operation, only the

are two objects. intersection, the cylinder inside
the cube, is left

Construct Difference
Used to subtract the volume of one or more overlapping solids from another solid.
Tool Setting Effect


Keep
Originals
To construct a solid that is the difference between one solid and

one or more overlapping solids
1. Select the Construct Difference tool.
2. Identify the solid from which the other solid(s) will be subtracted.
3. Identify the solid to subtract.
4. Accept to subtract the second solid from the first.
or
Identify further solids to subtract.
5. Accept to subtract the latter solids from the First.
A Slab and A cylinder. First select the cylinder First element is slab then
There are two objects. and then the slab will cylinder will result in a
result this hollow slab.

Export
Visible Edges Design Files
You can create a visible edges design file — a 2D or 3D design file that
contains the edges visible in a 3D view (that is, with those edges that would
be hidden, removed).
To export a visible edges design file
1. From the File menu's Export sub-menu, choose Visible Edges.

The Export Visible Edges dialog box opens.
2. On the General tab, choose the view from the View option menu.
3. On the General tab, choose Exact from the Method option menu.
4. (Usually recommended) To create a visible edges design file, on the
Output tab, turn Store in Active Design off.
or
To place the visible edges in the active design file, turn Store in Active
Design on.
5. If the visible edges are to be saved in a separate file (that is, Store in
Active Design is off), on the Output tab, set File Dimension to choose if
the visible edges design file will be 2D or 3D.
6. Adjust other settings as desired.
7. Click the Export button.
The Save Visible Edges Design File As dialog box opens. By default,
the visible edges file is given the same filename as the active design
file but with the suffix “.hln.”
8. (Optional) Change the filename and/or choose a different directory.
9. Click OK.

Options
There are four

choices here:
• Trace Edge
• Exact
• Fast
• SmartSolids
Include hidden edges in

the export
This is the result of

“include hidden
edges”
You can customize the

level, color, and line
style and line weight of
the export file.

Here we can specify the

file dimension of the
output hidden line design
file.
You can export the

isometric view of a 3D file
to a 2D hidden line file

Exercise – 3D model using 3D primitives
Try to draw this model using Basic Primitives of Slab, Cone, Cylinder, Torus,
Wedge and Sphere and Boolean Operations of Union, Difference and
Intersection.

Questions
• State the four tool boxes that are included in the 3D Main toolbox.
‚ Explain in your own words the difference between a SmartSolid and a

surface.
ƒ What primitive looks like a bagel? Give an example of what it could be

used for (other than a donut).
„ Give the specific settings required to get a pointed Cone primitive.
… What is the direction that the Angle setting of a Wedge is swept through—
clockwise or counterclockwise?
† Sketch the proportional front, top and right side

orthographic views that would result from this
Place Slab setting.
Label the Length, Width and Height values.
‡ What is the benefit of Hidden Line File? How do you access its dialog box?

Advanced Modeling and Modification Chapter 4
Advanced Modeling and Modification

Profile in 3D Construct
Using a unique profile in conjunction with modeling tool such as Extrude and
Revolve can often do more complex models quicker and easier. These tools
found in 3D Construct toolbox require a closed shape for a profile.
Thicken to
Solid
Extrude
Shell Solid
Construct
Revolution Extrude
along path
Closed Shape Profile

A closed shape profile is needed for the profile that is to be extruded or
revolved. Using SmartLine and being sure that both settings of Join Elements
and Close Element are checked on is the easiest way to get this closed
shape.
3D Construct Toolbox
This toolbox is found in the upper right

corner of the 3D main toolbox.
TOOLS> 3D MAIN > 3D CONSTRUCT

Extrude
The extrude tool takes the profile and projects it in a straight line
perpendicular to the profile.
Tool
Effect
Setting
Type Can be Surface (not capped) or Solid (capped).
If on, the profile element is extruded orthogonally. If unchecked,
Orthogonal
the extrusion will be at an angle to the profile.
Distance If on, sets the distance, in working units, the element is extruded.
If on, sets the spin angle. An extrusion will be twisted about
Spin Angle
the point where you select the profile.
X Scale If on, sets the scale factor in the x-direction.

Y Scale If on, sets the scale factor in the y-direction.
Keep
If on, the original profile element is kept in the design.
Profile
To extrude a surface or solid

1. Use the Element Selection tool to select
the profile element.
2. Select the Extrude tool.
3.
4. Enter a data point to define the start point.
5. Enter a second data point.
Distance Defines extrusion's

Off Distance
On Direction

Exercise – Extrude
Using the design file “extrude.dgn” and try to use the extrude tool on the
following profile. The profile was drawn in Right view.
• Try to change the distance to 1

• Try to change the Spin Angle to 30
• Try to change the X-Scale to 2
• Try to change the Y-Scale to 2
Construct Revolution
The construct revolution tool also uses a closed shape to construct the solid.
The profile is revolved around an axis so that you get a radically symmetric
object. The orientation of the axis is very important since it determines the
final object.
Tool
Effect
Setting
Sets the direction of the axis of revolution. It could be Points,
Axis
Drawing and View.
Angle Sets the rotation angle. Goes in Positive direction
Keep
If on, the original profile element is kept in the design.
Profile
To construct a solid or surface of revolution
1. Select the Construct Revolution tool.

2. Identify the profile element.
3. Enter a data point
If Axis is set to Points, this data point
defines one point on the axis of
revolution. Otherwise, this data point
defines the axis of revolution.
4. If Axis is set to Points, enter a second data point to define another point
on the axis of revolution.
5. Reset to finish.
or
Return to step 3 to revolve the same profile element again.

Exercise – Revolution
Using the design file “revolve.dgn” and try to use the extrude tool on the
following profile. The profile was drawn in Right view.
Revolve about Drawing Y
1. Type to Soild
2. Axis to Drawing Y
3. Angle equal to 360
4. Uncheck Keep Profile
Revolve about Drawing Z
1. Type to Soild
2. Axis to Drawing Y
3. Angle equal to 360
4. Uncheck Keep Profile
When you define the axis of revolution, you are defining the distance that
the axis is away from the profile. This is the radius of revolution. It is a
good practice that you snap on a specific point in the profile.

Extrude along path
The extrude along path use a line string to define a path for the cross-
section to be extrude along. This is very useful to laying out pipes.
It can use a closed profile or you can use Circular setting, which lets you
constrain the outside and inside radii.
Tool
Effect
Setting
• Circular — A tube with a circular cross-section is
generated.
Defined • Profile — Surface is constructed by extruding one

By element (the profile) along another element (the path).
Orientation of the profile is continually changed to
follow the orientation of the path.
Inside
If on and Defined By is set to Circular, sets the inside radius.
Radius
Outside
If on and Define By is set to Circular, sets the outside radius.
Radius
To extrude a circular tube along a path
1. Select the Extrude Along Path tool.
2. In the Tool Settings window, set Defined By to Circular.
3. Identify the path element.

4. Accept the path element.
5. If Outside Radius is off, enter a data point to define the outside radius.
or
If Outside Radius is on, accept the outside radius.
6. If Insde Radius is off, enter a data point to define the inside radius.
or
If Inside Radius is on, accept the inside radius.
The extrusion appears.
7. Accept to complete the extrusion.

Exercise – Extrude along path
Use the file “extrude_path.dgn”
Define by circular
1. Select the Extrude along path tool

2. Define by set to: Circular
3. Inside Radius to: 0.3
4. Outside Radius to : 0.5
Define by Profile
1. Select the Extrude along path tool

2. Define by set to: Profile
3. Select the Path
4. Select the Rectangular Profile
5. Data point to accept change

Shell Solid
Used to create a hollowed out solid having faces of a defined thickness. One
or more selected faces also may be removed to create an opening.
• After selecting, the solid, as you move the screen pointer over the solid
the face nearest the pointer highlights. A data point selects the
highlighted face, which remains highlighted.
• You can enter a Reset to deselect an incorrect face. Where a number
of faces have been selected, consecutive Resets will deselect them in
the reverse order (that is, the last face selected is the first face
deselected).
Tool
Effect
Setting
Shell If on, material is added to the outside; the original solid
Outward defines the inside of the walls.
Shell
Sets the wall thickness for the remaining faces.
Thickness
To construct a shell solid with no faces removed
1. Select the Shell Solid tool.
2. In the Shell Thickness field, key in the desired thickness value.

3. If required, turn on Shell Outward.
4. Identify the solid.
The solid highlights. Simultaneously, the face nearest the screen
pointer location highlights also.
5. Accept, away from the solid, to create the hollowed out shell solid.
Exercise – Shell Solid
Use the file “shell_solid.dgn”.
• Select the shell solid tool

• Set Shell Thickness to 0.1
• Uncheck Shell Outward

Thicken to Solid
Used to add thickness to an existing surface to create a solid. On identifying

the solid, an arrow displays showing the distance and direction of the
thickening that will be added. If Add To Both Sides is on, arrows display in
both directions. If Thickness is not turned on, then thickening is added
graphically, with the amount of thickening defined by the screen pointer.
Tool Setting Effect

Add To Both If on, the thickness value is added to both sides of the
Sides surface.
Thickness Sets the thickness value that is added to the surface.
To add thickness to a surface to create a solid
1. Select the Thicken to Solid tool.
2. Turn on Thickness.
3. In the Thickness field, enter the value for the thickening.
4. If necessary, turn on Add To Both Sides.
5. Identify the surface.
The surface highlights. An arrow(s) displays, showing the distance and
to which side(s) the thickness will be added.
6. If Add To Both Sides is off, move the pointer, using the arrows as a
guide, to select the side for thickening.
7. Accept.
Exercise – Thicken Solid
Use the “thicken_solid.dgn” file
• Select the thicken solid tool

• Snap on the triangular profile in
• Select “Add to both sides”
• Thickness set to 0.05
• Accept data point

3D Modify Toolbox
These tools allow you to modify or

remove faces, cut the model or create
basic fillets and chamfers on your
model.
Modify Solid
Used to relocate a face of a solid inwards (negative) or outwards (positive)

relative to the center of the solid. Direction of movement is normal to the
selected face.
Tool
Effect
Setting
If on, sets the distance that the face is to be modified (moved)
Distance
relative to the center of the solid.
To modify a face of a solid

1. Select the Modify Solid tool.
2. Turn on Distance.
3. In the Distance field, key in the desired value.
pointer location highlights also.
5. Identify the face to modify.
The face highlights. An arrow displays the direction and distance of the
modification, normal to the face.
6. Move the pointer, using the arrow as a guide to define the direction of
the modification.
If Distance is off, the pointer defines both the direction and the distance
of the modification.
7. Accept to modify the face.

Exercise – Modify Solid
Use the file “Modify_tool.dgn”
1. Select the modify solid tool

2. Pick a face on the solid to modify
3. Identify the Distance
1. If the distance is unchecked, a single data point will define both the distance
and the direction.
2. If it is checked, a single data point is needed for defining the direction
Remove Face and Heal
Used to remove an existing

face(s) or a feature from a solid
and then heal (close) the
opening. Additionally, the
Remove Logical Faces toggle lets you remove all faces associated with a
feature by identifying any one of the feature's surfaces.
For example, with Remove Logical Faces turned on, you can remove all faces
that are associated with:
• a cut
• a solid that has been added to or subtracted from the original
• a shell solid (returning the solid to its original form with no hollowing
out)
• a fillet or chamfer
by identifying any one face of the feature.
After identifying the solid, as you move the screen pointer over it, the face
nearest the pointer highlights. A data point selects the highlighted face, which
remains highlighted.
You can enter a Reset to deselect an incorrect face.

Tool
Effect
Setting
Defines how faces are selected for removal:
• Logical Groups — All associated faces are processed. For

example, a feature such as a cut can be removed by
Method
selecting any one face of the feature.
• Faces — Only selected faces are processed.

To remove one or more faces from a solid
1. Select the Remove Faces and Heal tool.

2. From the Method option menu, choose Faces.

pointer location highlights.
4. Identify the face to remove.
The face remains highlighted.
5. Accept to remove the face.
or
Identify further faces to remove.
6. Accept to remove the selected faces.
Exercise – Remove Faces and Heal
Use the design file “modify_tool2.dgn”
1. Select the remove face and heal

tools
2. Select the sliding face of the
triangular block

Cut Solid
Used to place a cut in a solid, using a

cutting profile. Cutting profiles may be
open or closed elements. Open elements
must extend to the edge of the solid.
When an open element is the cutting profile, the identification point for the solid
determines the portion of it that is retained. If Split Solid is on then no material is
removed, the solid is split at the cutting profile.
Tool Setting Effect

Sets the direction of the cut, relative to the cutting profile's Surface
Normal.
• Both — Both directions from the profile's plane.

Cut
Direction
• Forward — Forward from the profile's plane.
• Back — Back from the profile's plane.
Sets the limits of the cut.
• Through — Cuts through all faces of the solid.

Cut Mode
• Define Depth — Cuts into the solid a defined distance.
Cut Depth (Cut Mode set to Define Depth only) Sets the cut's projection distance.
If on, no material is removed from the solid; it is split into two or more
Split Solid
segments.
Keep Profile If on, the original cutting profile remains in the design.
To create a cut in a solid using an element as the profile
1. Select the Cut Solid tool.
2. (Optional) To retain the cut portion, turn on Split Solid.

3. Identify the solid to cut.
4. Identify the cutting element.
An arrow(s) indicates the direction of the cut.
5. Accept to complete the cut.

Exercise – Cut Solid
Use the file “modify_tool3.dgn”
Cut Mode – Through
1. Select the cut solid tool

2. Cut Mode to through
3. Select the solid
4. Select the hexagon
5. Point downwards to accept.
Cut Mode – Define Depth
1. Select the cut solid tool

2. Cut Mode to Define depth
3. In the Cut Depth, type 0.05
4. Uncheck Split Solid and Keep Profile.
Exercise - Logical Groups settings of Cut and Heal Solid
Use the finished file in the previous

exercise.
1. Select the Cut and Heal Solid tool

2. Change the method to Logical
Groups
3. Data point on the hexagon
When identify a single face. All the face associated with the hexagon will be
selected because of the “Logical Groups” setting. If the Method is set to face,
you have to select each face one by one.

Fillet Edges
Used to fillet, or round, one or more

edges of a solid, projected surface,
or a surface of revolution.
• After identifying the solid, as you move the screen pointer over the
solid the edge nearest the pointer highlights. A data point selects the
highlighted edge, which remains highlighted.
• You can enter a Reset to deselect an incorrect edge. Where a number
of edges have been selected, consecutive Resets will deselect them in
the reverse order (that is, the last edge selected is the first edge
deselected).
• Alternatively, you can deselect any highlighted edge by selecting it
again.
Tool Setting Effect

Radius Defines the radius of the fillet
Select Tangent If on, edges that are tangentially continuous are selected
Edges and rounded in one operation.
To fillet one or more edges of a solid or projected surface
1. Select the Fillet Edges tool.
2. In the Radius field, enter the required radius.

3. If required, turn on Select Tangent Edges.
4. Identify an edge to fillet.
The solid highlights, with the selected edge highlighted.
5. Accept to fillet the edge.
or
Identify further edges to be filleted.
6. Accept to fillet the edges.
Exercise – Fillet Edges
Use the file “fillet.dgn”
1. Select the Fillet Edge tool

2. Select the three corner as illustrated
3. Accept
Exercise – Tangent Edges
Use the file “tanget.dgn”

Chamfer Edges
Used to chamfer one or more

edges of a solid, projected surface,
or a surface of revolution.
• After selecting, the solid, as you move the screen pointer over the solid
the edge nearest the pointer highlights. A data point selects the
highlighted edge, which remains highlighted.
• You can enter a Reset to deselect an incorrect edge. Where a number
of edges have been selected, consecutive Resets will deselect them in
the reverse order (that is, the last edge selected is the first edge
deselected).
Alternatively, you can deselect any highlighted edge by selecting it
again.
Tool Setting Effect

Distance Sets the distances to trim back the faces. If the Lock control
1/Distance 2 is on, they are constrained to the same value.
• If on (closed) Distance 1 and Distance 2 are the same
values.
Lock control
• If off (open) Distance 1 and Distance 2 can be
different.
Select Tangent If on, edges that are tangentially continuous are selected and
Edges rounded in one operation.
Where Distance 1 and Distance 2 are different, reverses the
Flip Direction direction of the chamfer and the values that the faces are
trimmed.
To chamfer one or more edges of a solid
1. Select the Chamfer Edges tool.
2. In the Distance 1 and Distance 2 fields, enter the required values.

3. If required, turn on Select Tangent Edges.
4. Identify an edge to chamfer.
The solid highlights, with the selected edge highlighted.
5. Accept to chamfer the edge.
or
Identify further edges to be chamfered.
6. Accept to chamfer the edges.

Exercise – Chamfer Edges
Use the file “chamfer.dgn”
1. Use the settings as illustrated in the

dialog box.
2. Select the highlighted corner
3. Accept a data point
Flip Direction
1. Undo the previously completed chamfer.

2. Checked the Flip Direction
3. Select the highlighted corner
4. Accept a data point

Surface Modeling
Construct Surface by Section or Network
Used to construct a B-spline surface that is transformed between section

elements, or elements of a network.
All section elements must be in the same direction to avoid the resulting
surface from being “twisted”. Before using Construct Surface by Section or
Network, use the Change Element Direction tool in the Modify Curves tool box
to change the sections' directions and start points so they are in a similar
position to each other. As a final check, visual aids display each element's
direction as it is selected.
Tool
Effect
Setting
Sets how the surface is constructed.
• Section — Transformed between sections (lines, line

strings, arcs, ellipses, complex chains, complex shapes,
or B-spline curves). The order in the u-direction is 4. The
order in the v-direction is determined by the sections.
Define By
• Network — A Gordon surface is constructed, interpolating
a network of elements. Each element in the network's u-
direction should intersect all elements in its v-direction,
and vice-versa.
If off, the continuities of the constructed surface are those of the

input cross-sections.
Apply
If on, each input cross-section is approximated by a smooth B-
Smoothing
spline curve within the specified Tolerance value, and the
surface is created from the approximation curves.
To construct a B-spline surface by cross-sections
1. Select the Construct Surface by Section or Network tool.
2. In the Tool Settings window, set Define By to Section.

3. Identify the sections in the order that the transformation is to follow. (You can Reset
to reject a section.)
4. Accept to display the B-spline surface.
5. Accept the B-spline surface.

Exercise - Construct Surface by Section
Use the file “surface1.dgn” and turn on

ONLY level 1
1. Select the Construct Surface by

Section tool
2. Select the line string network
3. Accept until the last one
4. Accept to display the Surface
5. Accept to Finish
Construct Skin Surface
Used to construct a B-spline surface by

transforming two elements (sections) along
another element (the trace). The sections and
trace can be lines, line strings, arcs, ellipses,
complex chains, complex shapes, or B-spline curves.
Tool Setting Effect

Orthogonal If on, each section is rotated to be perpendicular to the trace.
To construct a B-spline surface by skin
1. Place the section elements in their

correct position (orientation and
location) on the trace element.
2. Select the Construct Skin Surface tool.
3. Identify the trace.
4. Identify the first section.
5. Identify the second section.
6. Enter a data point to display the B-spline surface.
7. Accept the surface.
Exercise - Construct Skin Surface
Use the file “surface1.dgn”, turn on only LEVEL 3
1. Select the construct skin surface tool

2. Select the path
3. Select the first element (circle)
4. Select the second element (rectangle)
5. Accept Data point

Construct Helical Surface
Used to construct a helical-shaped B-spline surface by

sweeping a section profile curve along a pre-defined
helix curve. The section profile curve needs to be
placed at one end of the helix curve. Before using this
tool, you must also place a line that represents the axis direction of the helix curve;
only the direction of the line matters.
Tool
Effect
Setting
Scale Sets the factor by which the section profile curve is scaled as it sweeps
Section in along the helix curve in the direction from the starting point of the helix
X curve to its center point — that is, the radius direction.
Scale Sets the factor by which the section profile curve is scaled as it sweeps
Section in along the helix curve in the direction of the helix axis — that is, the
Y height direction.
Spin Sets the angle at which the profile is spun as it sweeps along the helix
Angle curve.
To construct a helical-shaped B-spline surface

1. Select the Construct Helical Surface tool.
2. Identify the trace helix curve.

3. Identify the section profile curve.
4. Identify the line that represents the axis direction of the helix curve.
5. Accept.
The surface is generated and displayed.
6. Accept the surface.
Exercise – Construct Helical Surface
Use the file “surface1.dgn” and turn only Level 5 on
1. Select the construct Helical surface

2. Select the Helix
3. Select the rectangular profile
4. Select the axis line
5. Accept

Fillet Surfaces
Used to create a 3D fillet between two surfaces (shapes, cones,

extruded surfaces, surfaces of revolution, or B-spline surfaces)
by sweeping an arc of constant radius along the common
intersection curve — commonly referred to as a constant radius
rolling ball fillet. The fillet is created in the area pointed to by the surface normals of
both surfaces.
Tool Setting Effect

Defines which surface(s) are to be truncated:
• Both — Both surfaces are trimmed.

Truncate
• Single — The first surface identified is trimmed.
• None — Neither surface is trimmed.
Radius Sets the fillet's radius.

To place a fillet between two surfaces
1. (Optional) Use the Change Normal Direction tool to set the normal
directions for both surfaces.
2. Select the Fillet Surfaces tool.
3. From the Truncate option menu, choose a truncating option.

4. In the Radius field, key in the required radius.
5. Identify the first surface.
The surface normal orientation displays.
6. Identify the second surface.
The surface normal orientation displays.
7. Accept to view the fillet.
The fillet displays.
8. Accept to create the fillet.
Exercise – Fillet Surface
Use the file “surface1.dgn” and turn on level 6 on
1. Select the fillet surface command

2. Identify first cylinder
3. Identify second cylinder
4. Accept to finish

Questions
• Sketch the results of the four different Boolean operations listed below and
applied to these Slab and Cylinder solid parametric primitives:
a) Union
b) Difference (slab selected first)
c) Difference (cylinder selected first)
d) Intersection
‚ What happens if you choose All for the Keep Profile

setting when performing a Boolean operation?
ƒ What type of element works well for the profile needed to construct a Parametric
Revolution or Projection?
„ Given this Front view profile, sketch a pictorial that would illustrate the following
free-form solids:
a) Projection in the Drawing Y-direction
b) Revolution about the Z-axis
c) Revolution about the X-axis
… Explain why there is a Flip direction setting for the Chamfer Edges tool and use a
sketch to illustrate your answer.
† Explain the difference between an Extrude and a Revolution.

Drawing Composition and Section Generation Chapter 5
Drawing Composition and
Section Generation

What is Drawing Composition?
Drawing Composition automates the creation of drawing sheets, which is

familiar to the draftsperson who draws on paper, except that instead of
redrawing the model's geometry for each view, you attach views of the model
as reference files.
• Sheet view— The electronic drawing sheet.
• Attached view — A reference file attachment to the sheet view.
Although drawing sheets can be created with reference file attachment and
manipulation tools, the Drawing Composition dialog box simplifies the process
in a number of ways:
• An attached view in a sheet view can be any standard (Top, Bottom,
Right, Left, Front, Back, Isometric, or Right Isometric), fitted view or
any saved view of the model. Standard views can be clipped or set to
display only certain levels.
• An attached view of the model can be attached in any position at any

scale. Related attached views can be grouped. A group of attached
views can be moved, scaled, or detached, as one. Attached views can
be added to or removed from a group.
• A view can be attached by folding an attached view about an

orthogonal axis or a line defined by two data points. A folded view is
automatically aligned and grouped with the attached view from which it
is folded.

General Procedure — To compose a sheet view
The steps for using Drawing Composition in conjunction with a 3D model are
similar to those used with 2D design file.
Since all standard views including Top, Back, Right Isometric etc. You don’t
have to get to those steps and saving these views.
1. Create the model.

2. Open a sheet view.
3. Attach an existing file to use as a border (optional)
4. Attach views of model
5. Add text or dimensions
6. Print the sheet view.
Drawing Composition Dialog box
The Drawing Composition Dialog box can be found in the pull-down menu
FILE > DRAWING COMPOSITION.

Sheet View
Drawing Composition needs a

sheet view before you can attach
views. When a sheet view is
opened, its special characteristics
will be based on the Sheet
Parameters that have been set in
the Drawing Composition Box.
Open Sheet View
1. From the Sheet Location option menu in

the Drawing Composition dialog box,
choose Sheet View.
2. Designate a view as a sheet view as
follows by choosing Open Sheet View
from the Tools menu in the Drawing
Composition dialog box.
3. A dialog box will prompt and ask if you
want to turn those levels off other then
sheet view
Levels reserved for dimensions and text in sheet views

To ensure that dimensions, text, and so on in the drawing are displayed only
in the sheet views, two levels must be reserved for them.
The levels used for text and dimensions in the sheet view are set with the
following controls in the Drawing Composition dialog box.
• Sheet Dimension Level — Sets the level used for dimensions and text
that is to be displayed only in one sheet view (63 by default).
• Sheet Annotation Level — Sets the level that is used for any
annotations to be displayed in the drawing sheet (62 by default).

Levels reserved for the model in the sheet view

Choosing Model Levels from the Settings menu opens the Model Levels
dialog box.
When a view is attached to the drawing sheet, the levels designated in this
dialog box (plus the sheet dimension level) are on in the sheet view and off in
all other views. By default, all levels except the sheet dimension and
annotation levels (1-61) are designated as model levels.
Attach Border

View Parameters
If you want to scale

the sheet you or
down from the real
size element
To Process the 3D
objects with Hidden
Line Method
Hidden Line Setting Dialog box
To attach a standard, fitted view of the model
1. Choose the view (Top, Bottom, Left,

Right, Front, Back, Isometric, or Right
Isometric) from the Drawing
Composition dialog box's Tools menu's
Attach Standard sub-menu.
2. Enter a data point to position the view
and attach it to the sheet view.

To attach a saved view
1. From the Drawing Composition dialog box's

Tools menu, choose Attach Saved View.
The Select Saved View dialog box opens,
displaying a list of the saved views in the
model.
2. Choose the saved view to attach by selecting
its name and clicking OK.
The Select Saved View dialog box closes
and an outline of the saved view displays.
3. Enter a data point to position the saved view and attach it to the sheet view.
To attach a view by folding it orthogonally
1. From the Drawing Composition dialog box's Tools menu, choose Attach
Folded > Orthogonal.
2. Identify an element in an attached view from which to fold the new attached
view.
3. Identify the edge of the attached view about which the new attached view is to
be folded.
4. Enter a data point to position and attach the view.
5. Go back to step 3 to fold another attached view from the same existing
attached view.
or
Reset to finish.
To attach a view by folding it from an attached view
1. From the Drawing Composition dialog box's Tools menu, choose Attach
Folded > About Line.
2. Identify an element in the attached view from which to fold the new attached
view.
3. Enter a data point to define one endpoint of the line about which the new
attached view will be folded.
4. Enter a data point to define the other endpoint of the line and attach the view.
5. Return to step 3 to attach another view.
or
Reset to finish.

Modification of existing attached views

To detach an attached view
1. From the Drawing Composition dialog box's Tools menu, choose Detach >
Single.
2. Identify an element in the attached view that is to be detached.
3. Accept the detachment.
To detach a group of attached views
Group.
2. Identify an element in an attached view within the group to be detached. All
members of the group are outlined.
3. Accept the detachment.
To detach all views attached to the sheet view
All.
An alert box asks you to confirm that all reference files are to be detached.
2. Click OK.
To move an attached view
1. From the Drawing Composition dialog box's Tools menu, choose Move >
Single.
2. Identify an element in the attached view to be moved.
3. Accept the attached view.
4. Enter a data point to define the origin of the move.
5. Enter a data point to define the destination.
To move a group of attached views
1. From the Drawing Composition dialog box's Tools menu, choose Move >
Group.
2. Identify an element in an attached view within the group to be moved. This
data point also defines the origin of the move.
To move all views attached to the sheet view
1. From the Drawing Composition dialog box's Tools menu, choose Move > All.
2. Enter a data point to define the origin of the move.

Generate Section Dialog box

Output File
Will default to the active design. If you want a different file then you’ll need to use
the File pull-down menu.
Flatten Section
This leaves the section boundary created parallel to the cutting plane. If on,
the section geometry is flattened to two dimensions along an axis
perpendicular to the section plane. This is useful when using a fence to define
a section. The section created by a fence is a 3D replica of the elements lying
within the fence.
Interactive Positioning
The section boundary elements will automatically be located at the position of

the cutting plane – “within” the model
Assemble Segments
The elements that make up the section will be joined together as a complex
shape.
Tools > Section by View
Section by View > Horizontal

Selects the Construct Section by View
Horizontal tool, which is used to generate
section geometry for all elements that
intersect a horizontal plane perpendicular to
the screen that extends through the view
depth along the z-axis.
Key-in: CONSTRUCT VIEW
HORIZONTAL
Section by View > Vertical

Selects the Construct Section by View
Vertical tool, which is used to generate
section geometry for all elements that intersect a vertical plane perpendicular
to the screen.

The plane is perpendicular to the screen, and it intersects the data point. The
plane extends throughout the view depth (along the z-axis). It is as tall as the
view window. This tool is the equivalent of drawing a line vertically across the
view and using it with the Construct Section by Projected Element tool.
Key-in: CONSTRUCT SECTION VIEW VERTICAL
Section by View > Depth

Selects the Construct Section by View Depth tool, which is used to generate
section geometry for all elements that intersect a plane parallel to the screen
at a depth determined by a data point.
Section by Element
Selects the Construct Section by Element tool, which is used to generate
section geometry for all elements that intersect a closed planar element
(shape, ellipse, or complex shape) or 3D element (cone, surface, solid, or B-
spline surface).
Key-in: CONSTRUCT SECTION ELEMENT
Section by Fence
Selects the Construct Section by Fence tool, which is used to generate
section geometry for all elements that intersect or are enclosed by a fence —
useful to “cut out” a section to provide a view of the model's interior. The fence
contents are always clipped; the Fence (Selection) Mode is ignored.
Key-in: CONSTRUCT SECTION FENCE
Section by Plane
Selects the Construct Section by Plane tool, which is used to generate section
geometry for all elements that a plane defined by three data points.
Key-in: CONSTRUCT SECTION PLANE
Section by Projection > Element

Selects the Construct Section by Projected Element tool, which is used to
generate section geometry for all elements that intersect the projection of an
element through the view volume along the z-axis.
Key-in: CONSTRUCT SECTION PROJECT ELEMENT
Section by Projection > Line String

Selects the Construct Section by Projected Line String tool, which is used to
generate section geometry for all elements that intersect the projection of a
line string.
Key-in: CONSTRUCT SECTION PROJECT LINESTRING

Questions
• Explain the relationship between Reference Files and Drawing

Composition.
‚ With Drawing Composition, what Modeler Hidden Line setting can now be
controlled independently in attached views?
ƒ When attaching a border, what drawing plane should its elements be

drawn in?
„ Explain the Margin% View Parameters setting and when its value may
need to be adjusted.
… List the three different Hidden Line Removal options, and give a brief
explanation of each.
† Explain the recommended order of view attachments for a 3D model that

will result in the standard conventions of orthographic views. Why is it
recommended?
‡ Name the specific method of view attachment to use for placing auxiliary
views.
ˆ What would cause the inability to snap to elements when dimensioning on

attached views in a sheet view layout? State how to correct this problem.
‰ A front view of a model was

attached with the Drawing
Composition View Parameters
set as shown. Answer the
following questions.
a) What would be the scale size

of the attached front view?
b) Assume Scale Factor = 1. If
the actual width of the model
was 8 inches, what would be
the width’s dimensioned
value shown in the front view?
Š Explain how to open up the Saved Views dialog box.

E:\TEMP\EX22_01.DGN 12/28/00 11:47:59 PM
E:\TEMP\EX22_02.DGN 12/28/00 11:46:56 PM
Rendering and Visualization Chapter 6
Rendering and Visualization

Rendering
Rendering is the process of depicting a 3D model through the display of
shaded surfaces. Rendered views are most effective with a system capable of
displaying 256 or more colors, especially true-color displays.
More Rendering Mode
Phong shading
Phong shading differs from Constant shading and Smooth (Gouraud) shading
in that the color of each pixel is individually
computed — useful when high quality is more
important than speed.
• Phong shading can be used to display,
Bump maps, and Distance Cueing in the
rendered images.
• Phong shading renders more realistic
lighting effects than either the Constant or
Smooth shading methods, particularly if
the light source is close to the object (for
example, to see a spotlight on a wall).
The complexity of computations slows display time considerably. Where

Phong-shaded images are very similar to Smooth-shaded images (that is,
there are no shadows or bump maps) it may not be worth the extra rendering
time.
Ray Tracing
Ray tracing is a photo-realistic rendering method

in which an image is generated by simulating the
reflections of light rays in a 3D scene.
In the real world, light rays are emitted by one or
many light sources and reflect off objects until they
finally reach the eye.
On a computer, it is often more efficient to trace

rays from the eye rather than from the light
sources. This can save a significant amount of
time by not following rays from lights to surfaces
that are never seen.

Radiosity
“Radiosity,” as defined in the literature of physics, is the total power leaving a

point on a surface, per unit area on the surface. In the context of rendering,
“power” is light energy.
Radiosity solving is a sophisticated technique that calculates the light that is

reflected between diffuse surfaces. It can be used to demonstrate effects such
as color bleeding (where one colored surface lends a tint to another nearby
surface) and light dispersion (the reflection of indirect light onto other surfaces
in a scene). In comparison, ray tracing simulates the specular reflection of
rays of light in a scene.
Radiosity solving, unlike Ray Tracing, is not a rendering technique on its own
— it merely generates a lighting solution that in turn can be rendered. In fact,
radiosity solving and ray tracing capabilities can be used together to produce
realistic images with the best qualities of both methods. Radiosity solving
operates as a rendering pre-process that computes the global, view-
independent (diffuse) lighting solution. Ray tracing uses this radiosity
solution to render a view-dependent image, adding specular highlights and
reflections.
Raytracing with no radiosity Raytracing with radiosity

Shading Type
When rendering a view, you can choose from Normal, Antialias and Stereo
shading types.
Normal
The view is shaded normally.
Antialias
Reduces the jagged edges (jaggies) that are particularly noticeable on low-
resolution displays. The additional time required for antialiasing is especially
worthwhile when saving images for presentation, publication, or animated
sequences.
Antialias Normal
Stereo
Renders a view with a stereo effect that is visible when viewed with 3D
(Red/Blue) glasses. Stereo Phong shading takes twice as long as Phong
because two images, one each from the perspective of the right and left eyes,
are rendered and combined into one “color coded” image.

Saving Rendered Image
Used to save the contents of a rendered or wireframe view to a file. Opens

when Utilities > Image > Save… is chosen.
View
Sets the source view.
Format
A list of supported file format
Compression
Sets the degree of compression for an image file
format. For example, compression options for a
JPEG Format image file are from Minimum Loss to
High Loss. Greater compression is achieved as
image quality is sacrificed: Minimum Loss yields the
highest image quality and least compression; High
Loss yields the poorest image quality and the
greatest compression.
Mode
Sets the number of colors in the image file's color
palette. The available options depend upon which
Format is chosen. For example, Intergraph RGB supports only 24-bit color, while PICT
supports 24-bit color, 256 colors, and grey scale.
Shading
Sets the rendering method — Wireframe, Hidden Line, Filled Hidden Line, Constant, Smooth
(Gouraud), Phong, RayTrace or Radiosity.
Shading Type
Sets the shading type — Normal, Antialiased (see Phong Antialiased shading), or Stereo.
Resolution X Y
Sets the resolution, in pixels, at which to save the image. When you set the X or Y resolution,
Y or X is automatically adjusted to match the view aspect ratio.
Gamma Correction
Sets the brightness of the image in the file. The default value is 1; the valid range is 0.1 to 3.0.
Increasing the Gamma Correction setting lightens the image; decreasing it darkens the
image.
Save…
Opens the Save Image As dialog box, which is used to save the image file.
Cancel
Closes the dialog box without creating an image file.
Banded Rendering
Contains controls that are used to break up the target rendering subject into a series of user-
defined bands. Each band is then processed as an individual image within the computer
system's memory and written to disk. On completion of the last band, the rendering operation
combines all of the bands into the finished image.

Rendering Tools
All the tools for setting up a view for

rendering are in the Rendering Tools
tool box. These include tools for creating
lighting, applying materials, querying the
radiosity solution (if present in memory)
and setting up the view camera.
Lighting Types
Two types of lighting are available for
MicroStation rendering, Source Lighting
and Global Lighting.
Source lighting
MicroStation supports four source lighting
types — Distant, Point, Spot, and Area,
which come in the form of cells delivered in
the cell library “lighting cel.”
With each light source, the Brightness

setting is for use with radiosity solving. This
allows you to have the same source lighting
settings for both radiosity solving and
standard rendering. With standard rendering, the Brightness setting is ignored.
The light sources direct light as follows:
• Distant — directional light, like the sun, producing parallel light rays,
throughout the design. That is, the light source's orientation defines the
direction of uniform light that illuminates all surfaces facing in its direction.
This applies whether they are in front of or behind the light source, in the
design.
• Point — light is radiated in all directions from the origin of the light source.
• Spot — directional light having a conical beam, similar to a flashlight. Spot
light sources having the same Brightness and Intensity settings as a Point
light source appear brighter in rendered images because the energy is
restricted to the cone angle. For example, a Spot light with a cone angle of
60° appears four times as bright as a Point light having the same brightness
and intensity settings.
• Area — useful for many diffuse lighting situations, such as simulating
fluorescent lighting, where the light source is neither a Point nor a Spot light.
Area light sources are created from existing polygonal shapes in the design.
By default, the delivered light sources all have their Intensity set to 1 and their
Brightness set to 100.

Define Light
Used to access the lighting

capabilities of MicroStation.
The Define Light settings

window contains controls that
are used to create and modify
light sources for the scene.
There are two Mode: Create

and Modify
To create a Spot light source
1. Select the Define Light tool.

2. From the Mode option menu in the Define Light settings window,
choose Create.
3. From the Type option menu, choose Spot Light.
The Spot Light source cell appears, attached to the pointer.
4. Change settings as required.
5. Enter a data point to position the light source.
6. Enter a data point to define the direction of the light source.
Global Lighting
You use the Global Lighting dialog box to

define the settings for Ambient, Flashbulb and
Solar lighting. Additionally, you can turn on
Add Sky Light to all Solar and Distant Lights,
and Approximate Ground Reflection for Sky
Light to simulate lighting from the sky and
reflected light from the ground, respectively.
It is extremely important to have some type of lighting before you do the

rendering. Otherwise your scene will be totally dark.

Ambient
Ambient light is all-pervasive. That is, it illuminates all surfaces equally. It is
controlled in the Global Lighting dialog box.
The intensity of ambient light can vary from None (0) to Full (1.0), and its color
can be adjusted.
Because ambient light illuminates all surfaces equally, increasing its intensity
reduces the depth, or contrast, of the shaded view.
0 0.2 0.4
Flashbulb
Flashbulb light provides a point light source from the eye-point of the view. It
is controlled in the Global Lighting dialog box.
The intensity of flashbulb light can vary from None (0) to Full (1.0), and its
color can be adjusted. Flashbulb lighting does not cast shadows.
Off On

Solar and Sky
Solar light simulates light from the sun. It is controlled in the Global Lighting
dialog box.
You can specify whether or not shadows are cast by the solar light (in Phong
and Ray Trace rendering). To display shadows requires that Shadows also be
on in the Rendering View Attributes dialog box (Phong rendering) or Ray
Tracing dialog box (Ray Trace rendering).
Materials
• Materials are defined in a material palette. Material definitions can include a
pattern map, a bump map, or both.
• A material assignment table assigns a material to elements on a level(s) with
a color(s) in the design. All elements on the same level with the same color
have the same material characteristics, unless individual elements have
materials attached to them.
Usually
Type of
Suffix/Extension: Stores: To modify: referred
File:
to by:
From the Settings
menu, choose
Rendering > Define
Materials.
Alternatively, in the Many
Material Material
.pal Apply Material tool design
palette file definitions
settings, double- files
click the material
preview box to open
the currently loaded
palette file.
In the Rendering
Tools tool box,
select the Apply
Material tool. (See
Assignment
Material The Apply Material One
to levels and
assignment .mat Tool.) design
colors in
table Alternatively, from file
design
the Settings menu,
choose:
Rendering > Assign
Materials

Applying Materials
Environment Maps
An environment map is a set of

image files that are mapped to the
six faces of an imaginary cube
surrounding a design (or
environment).
In a ray traced image, environment
maps are visible only in reflected
and transmitted rays.
• When an element is reflective but a reflected ray does not “see” any elements,
it “sees” the environment map.
• The same applies to a transmitted ray that does not “see” any objects in the
transmitted (refracted) direction.
A typical usage would be to show reflections of an outdoor scene, using an image of
the sky for the top and sides and another image for the ground.
Define Materials

Animation
Animation adds a new dimension to 3D design. Using MicroStation's
Animation Producer utility, you can create animation sequences that show
your designs in action. For architectural models, you can produce
walkthroughs with a flexibility not available in the simple Fly Through
producer.
Animation, when combined with MicroStation's advanced rendering

capabilities, provides an outstanding level of engineering visualization.
Whether your design consists of a single object, or several, you can produce
animation sequences. The Animation Producer provides several different
ways to define and control motion. The method used to produce an animation
sequence depends on the type of design.
You can animate design elements, including camera and lighting cells. As
well, you can animate the settings for light sources, and material definitions.
With light sources, you can change the intensity/brightness, color, and the
cone/delta angle (spot lights). You can change a material's characteristics,
such as the pattern or bump map settings, as well as the associated scale
and offset values.
• Keyframe
• Flythrough
The FlyThrough Producer utility provides a set of tools that allow you to
create simple animations called flythrough sequences in which
frames of stationary geometry are recorded by a virtual camera at
specified intervals along a specified path.
A flythrough sequence is typically rehearsed or previewed in wireframe

to validate the camera path and is finally recorded as a series of
rendered images.
• Parametric Motion Control

Flythrough
General Procedure — To produce a flythrough sequence
1. From the Utilities menu's Render sub-

menu, choose FlyThrough.
The FlyThrough Producer dialog box
opens.
2. From the View option menu, choose
the source view for the animation.
3. From the Shading option menu,
choose Wireframe for “rehearsal”
purposes or the desired rendering
method for a finished or nearly finished
sequence. See Rendering Modes.
4. (Optional) Use the other controls in the dialog box to adjust the camera
settings and set the output options. See Render > FlyThrough..
5. Define the path that the camera is to follow and the camera target.
The path can be an existing open element, or you can place an
element in the design file. See To define the path that the camera will
travel during the sequence.
6. Preview the sequence.
Once you have adjusted the FlyThrough Producer settings and defined
the camera path, you can preview the sequence before taking the time
to record all the frames. See To preview each frame in the output view
7. Record the sequence. See To record a sequence.

To record a sequence
1. From the FlyThrough Producer dialog box's Tools menu, choose Record.
The Record Sequence dialog box opens.
2. From the List Files of Type option menu, choose the format in which to save
the sequence. For JPEG format, also choose the compression level from the
Compression option menu. See MicroStation Field format (GRD) support.
If you choose FLI or FLC, the sequence will be saved as a single 256-color
animation file.
If you choose any other format, a separate file will be created automatically
for each frame in the sequence. You must insert a number at the end of the
filename (step 3). The number will be incremented for each frame saved. For
example, naming the file that contains the first frame of a Targa-format
sequence “orbit01.tga” causes the subsequent frame files to be named
“orbit02.tga,” “orbit03.tga,” “orbit04.tga,” and so on.
3. Use the controls in the File section to name the sequence file (or the first file
in the series) and specify the destination drive and directory.
4. Click the OK button.

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MicroStation 3D Graphics User Training

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-1

In 3D environment, it is not a single plane anymore. Depth is being introduced

The global origin

The global origin,all

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-2

The Drawing Coordinate System

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-3

View Coordinate Systems

Right-Hand Coordinate System to

Exercise - Relative View Coordinate

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-4

In MicroStation/J, the directory of the seed file is

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-5

You can find the 3D view control

The 3D view control toolbox helps

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-6

It allows you to Zoom in / out of a certain part of your design file.

Exercise – Zoom In/Out

1. Entering Zoom center point

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-7

Change View Perspective

Exercise – Change Perspective

1. Select the change perspective tool

In some case, you might set the perspective on a view by mistake. To

1. Select the Previous View Button on the view windows toolbar or

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-8

View Volume and display depth

Display depth Control the display of elements by their depth in

Front Clipping Plane Front of which elements do not display

Back Clipping Plane Beyond which no element appears.

View Volume Display depth and Window Area combined to be a

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-9

Exercise - Set the display depth

2. Data point on the top view

To set Display depth of a view, find another view, which is 90 degree to it to

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-10

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-11

Exercise - Active Depth

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-12

Change View Rotation

The cube here

View that you

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-13

All you need to do is to choose the Method of rotation

1. Select the rotate view tools, pick the method of rotation

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-14

Then also sketch an

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 1-15

Auxiliary Coordinate Systems and

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 2-1

What is Auxiliary Coordinate System?

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 2-2

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 2-3

ACS origin. It’s

ACS Tools and Utilities

You can find more information in the ACS dialog box

Access the ACS

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 2-4

ACS Plan Lock and Snap

Prepared by Ricky Cheung 2-5

Defining the ACS from an existing element in the