C 13

Your 2011
Technology
Advantage
MicroStation V8i
USER Tips
Presented by:
Jeanne Aarhus
jeanne@aarhusassociates.com
12005 Quail Drive

Bellevue, NE 68123-1175
Office: 402-408-9696
www.aarhusassociates.com
Trademarks
MicroStation, and AccuDraw and SmartLine are registered trademarks of Bentley
Systems, Inc. AutoCAD, Revit an ACA are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. Microsoft and
Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of
Adobe Systems, Incorporated.
Copyright © 2011 Aarhus Associates, LLC. All other product names are trademarks of their respective
owners. Aarhus Associates believes the information in this publication is accurate as of its publication
date. Such information is subject to change without notice and is subject to applicable technical product
descriptions. Aarhus Associates is not responsible for inadvertent errors.
Contact Information
åarhus ASSOCIATES, LLC

12005 Quail Drive
Jeanne Aarhus
(402) 408-9696
12005 Quail Drive

Office: 402-408-9696
Your Technology Advantage 12005 Quail Drive
Office: 402-408-9696
Jeanne Aarhus was recently named one of the Top Ten Classes and Speaker at Autodesk University for the past 6
years from over 400 speakers and 600 classes. This honor requires near perfect scores for presentation and content
from both attendees and organizers.
Jeanne is known for keeping her sessions fast-moving and fun while still providing a thorough understanding of the
topic. 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 25+ 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
has experience in many Bentley and Autodesk products 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 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
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• AutoCAD for MicroStation Users
Adobe Products • Workspaces
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• Cool Tools for MicroStation
Autodesk Products • Cool Tools for AutoCAD
• AutoCAD Update • What’s NEW in MicroStation V8i or XM
• AutoCAD Fundamentals • MicroStation ―Interesting Occurrences‖
• AutoCAD Advanced ie. (Dirty Tricks)
• AutoCAD Plotting and Sheet Sets • Using Styles
• AutoCAD Architecture Update • Tips for Users
• AutoCAD Architecture Fundamentals • Tips for CAD Managers
• AutoCAD Architecture Advanced • Automate Your Standards
• AutoCAD Architecture for CAD Managers/Power MicroStation or AutoCAD
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Call for Affordable Training with a Quality Guarantee www.aarhusassociates.com
V8i USER Tips  1
MicroStation Tips & Tricks

As always this session will cover an assortment of tips and tricks that you can apply immediately,
regardless of what version your using. There will be ―new‖ tips as well as ―old‖ tips to get you on your
way to being a faster and more efficient MicroStation user. Are you using the software the same way
year after year? If so, let’s get started on the road to improving your productivity today!
About this document:
NOTE:
TIP:
Thanks to EVERYONE who has contributed to these tips and tricks! If you have something to share
please send me a tip and you too can be in the next handout!
Copyright © 2011 – Jeanne Aarhus, Aarhus Associates, LLC – All Rights Reserved Do Not Duplicate
V8i USER Tips  2
User Preferences – What’s NEW?

Input
Use these settings to control your <Right-Click> mouse controls and functionality.
Look and Feel

Use these settings to control the appearance and functionality of the dialogs and mouse features.
Note: You can also <Right-Click> on any dialog titlebar to change that dialogs
transparency settings.
V8i USER Tips  3
Position Mapping
Use these mapping keys to quickly access common commands and tools.
Reference
You can control your manipulation and editing color choices using the new reference option.
Task Navigation
Use these settings to control the appearance and use of the Task Navigation dialog.
V8i USER Tips  4
Text
Use these settings to control the appearance and functionality of text elements and dialogs.
View Options
Use these settings to control the appearance of the view window and elements.
V8i USER Tips  5
User Interface Enhancements

Main Toolbar
The Main toolbar is now embedded into the Task
Navigation toolbar.
You can separate them using the new preference

settings for Task Navigation.
Task Navigation Toolbar

Change the appearance of the Task Navigation using the user preference settings.
Dialog Toolbox
In Views
Show Navigation
Pin
V8i USER Tips  6
Dialog Docking
You can dock several dialogs in XM changing how we use screen ―real-estate‖. These dialogs can be
docked horizontal, vertical and stacked. The following
dialogs can be docked in the XM application window.
• Tool Settings
• Key-in Browser
• View Groups
• AccuDraw
• Snaps
• Element Info
• Level Display
• Feature Manager
• Project Explorer
• Link Sets
• Drawing Scale
Vertical Docking
Stacked Docking
Horizontal Docking
V8i USER Tips  7
Docked and Pinned
Docked Only
V8i USER Tips  8
Useful Dialog Transparency

You can modify the ―opaqueness‖ of dialogs in XM to improve screen real-estate appearance try turning
on the ―transparency‖ option for dialogs.
SS2 Only
Now let’s look at some new options for those transparent dialogs!
I never understood the appeal to transparent dialogs if I couldn’t get to the elements I could see through
them. Try this out!
Draw a Line – THROUG A DIALOG!

Using the LINE command issue the first <Data-Point> and don’t release the LEFT mouse button.
Drag the line over a ―transparent‖ dialog and snap to an existing element. WOW…I might actually try
out this ―transparent‖ stuff again!
NOTE: You must use ACCUSNAP for your snapping tool for this to work!
V8i USER Tips  9
Status Bar
You can change the display information for the coordinates in the status bar between any of the
following settings:
<Right-Click> on the status bar and turn on the RUNNING COORDINATES display. It is turned off
by default.
Position
Displays the X, Y, and Z coordinates of your current position.
Delta
Shows the X, Y, and Z displacement from the last data point.
View Delta
Shows the view coordinate system displacement from the last data point.
Distance
Shows the distance and direction from the last data point.
ACS Position
When a tentative point is entered, the readout also shows longitude, latitude.
ACS Delta
Shows the auxiliary coordinate system displacement from the last data point.
V8i USER Tips  10
Status Bar Customization

You can modify what is displayed in the status using the <Right-Click> on a field listed below. Turn off
those fields that you don’t need and turn on your favorites. There are some new options such as
Running coordinates and Active Level.
View Toolbar
There are a view changes made to the standard view tools located on the view window toolbar.
View Display Mode

Sets the view display mode from the drop-down list of display styles or from the Display Styles dialog.
Brightness
Applies scene lighting to a view and adjusts brightness of shaded views.
3D Navigate View
Interactively navigates a 3D view and is available in 3D files only.
View Attributes
The View Attributes dialog is enhanced and expanded to include sections for Presentation, View Setup
and Clip Volume Settings. This is one of major areas of enhancements for viewing capabilities.
Open the VIEW ATTRIBUTES dialog using CTRL+B and

select the TRANSPARENT for the final display style.
Use the CLIP VOLUME view attribute and open SAVED

VIEWS to see the clipping feature.
Use the FLIP DIRECTION or MOVE BACK clipping handles to modify the clip range as needed.
Note: If you have trouble seeing

the boundary, change the
DISPLAY STYLE to
HIDDEN LINE.
Measuring Tools
There are new tool settings available when using the old MEASURE command.
 True — Measures the true distances in 3D,

taking into account the depth component in the
view.
 View — Measures distances between
projections of the elements on to the view
plane (no allowance for the depth component).
 AccuDraw/ACS — Measures distances
between projections of the elements on to the
AccuDraw drawing plane, or on to the active
ACS.
Remap Elements
Levels
This new command is used to move elements from one level to another. Access to this command is
available from the <Right-Click> menu in Level Manager.
Styles
This new command is used to change the assigned text style to elements from one to another. Access to
this command is available from the <Right-Click> menu in the Text Styles dialog.
Right-Click Menus
Use the new <Right-Click> menus to access your favorite commands. The <Right-Click> menus are
now context sensitive, meaning where and what you <Right-Click> on will change the available tools
in the menu. See examples below:
Toolbar Line
Reference
Status Bar
Closed Shape
No Element Selected
Dimension
Text
Dynamic View
Sheet
Button assignments
Remember the days of digitizers? Do you still miss that 16 button puck? I don’t miss the paper menus
anymore, but I still reminisce about that 16 button puck.
With XM you can customize more than just the typical 6 buttons found on the standard mouse.
For EXAMPLE:
Quick Access to MATCH ATTRIBUTES
ALT+DATA
match attributes fromcursor
Quick Access to PAN

XButton1
pan drag
Quick Access to Accudraw ORIGIN

<CTRL>+<TENTATIVE>
buttonaction tentative;accudraw setorigin
How to customize your Button Assignments

Now we need to modify a default Button Assignment. The first mouse button we will modify is
ALT+DATA for match attributes. I want this mouse option to run the SMART MATCH command so
ALL attributes are matched; not just the element attributes.
Select the ALT+DATA setting and modify the key in to the following
match element fromcursor
Try out the new button assignment. This small change is a lot more useful!
Note: Start drawing a line and if you notice that is isn’t correct symbology use this feature
to correct it immediately!
Function Keys
Minimize All Dialogs – Well ALMOST All!
Many of us get a ―cluttered screen‖ now and then. So how do you clean it up quickly? Try this
command on a button or function key.
DMSG SINKALL TOGGLE
I placed this on my F2 function key menu…what do you think?
Remove Dimension Elements On-the-Fly

Many times I add a dimension to my drawing and realize that one of the extension lines are causing
―drawing congestion‖ or possible ―drawing confusion‖. Try this keyin to clean-up the extension lines
quickly and easily.
CHANGE DIMENSION EXTENSION TOGGLE
Function Shortcuts
One tool I like to have is the ability to open Windows Explorer to the same folder as my ―active‖ design
file, eliminating the need for me to navigate to a project folder. Try this out!
$ %explorer /e, /select,$(_DGNFILE)
Using Displaysets
Since most of you are not using display sets yet; I thought I would mention again it’s benefits to
controlling your drawing extents for easier and more efficient display manipulations.
Select the elements or portion of the drawing you need to edit and <Right-Click> to access the
DISPLAYSET  SET command. This places your selected graphics into a stored set for display
control.
Using the VIEW ATTRIBUTES dialog, TURN ON the DISPLAYSET view attribute.
The applicable view will now only display the elements in your displayset.
CYCLE BETWEEN ELEMENTS

(SS2 only)
Everyone has dealt with the issue of overlapping and multiple element control when editing existing
graphics. So how do you control what element is selected in this situation? Hopefully, your answer
isn’t to turn levels on or off; or to move elements out of the way until you get what you want!
Option 1:
Select one of the overlapping elements and <Right-Click> while holding down the <Left-Click>. Then
continue to <Right-Click> while holding down the <Left-Click> mouse button. Each <Right-Click>
will cycle through all the available elements.
Option 2:
Hover over one of the overlapping elements and use the <Tab> key to cycle through all the elements.
Snap Preferences
Well, this one is long overdue. If you work in a large office you are bound to open a DGN file and
discover that some ―yahoo‖ has set the default snap mode to what you consider a most illogical snap
mode (maybe ORIGIN or BISECTOR?). This causes you to have to re-define the saved snap mode to
your preferred mode (maybe KEYPOINT?) and run the Save Settings command to store it in the file as
the default.
Well, those days are over. In V8 XM and V8i you can define your snap mode preferences in a
configuration variable so that every file you open ignores the previous user’s preferences and sets yours!
Use the following variable to define your favorite snap modes.
MS_SNAPMODE_SOURCE
0 – read from current DGN (this is the default setting)
1 – read from user preferences for all files
AccuDraw Enhancements
Compass Fill Color
Change the appearance of the AccuDraw compass using the new fill color.
Note: Use the SPACE key to move the focus to

AccuDraw.
Configure AccuDraw Dialog Size

Change the size of the AccuDraw dialog.
Small
Medium
Large
AccuDraw Dialog Size
Display Coordinates
Turn on the display of XYZ coordinates while using AccuDraw
Use the Settings > Display Tab and turn on the Display Coordinates setting. Coordinates will display
in either Polar:Distance/Angle; or Rectangular: X/Y/Z
New AccuDraw Shortcuts

There are some new shortcuts in XM and V8i that every user should know about.
RE – Rotate by Element
RV – Rotate View
HA – Hold AccuDraw
HS – Toggle AccuSnap
HU – Suspend AccuSnap
Per-View ACS
Using the Auxiliary Coordinate System (ACS) is easier than ever with the new capability of assigning a
coordinate system on a per-view basis.
Turn ON the tool setting VIEW INDEPENDENT to make the current ACS active for the current view
only. When an ACS is defined per-view the ACS Triad is automatically displayed with a ―dashed‖
appearance.
World ACS Per-View ACS
Level Manager & Level Display

Using the Level Manager and Level Display dialogs you can use the new command JUMP TO ACTIVE
LEVEL to navigate in the dialog easier.
<Right-Click> in the level list to access the JUMP TO ACTIVE LEVEL command.
Note: So you can quit complaining about more than 63 levels now right?
OK…maybe not!
Another enhancement in V8i is the ability to control the level numbers associated with new levels. In
the past, the number generated was automatic and a CAD Manager couldn’t control the numbering
sequence. You also couldn’t easily locate new levels that had been created.
Now, the level number is blank if auto-generated and the CAD Manager can easily identify the new
level and assign an appropriate numbering scheme.
Model Enhancements
Per-View Models
In the past, you could only view one model at a time. You were permitted to use all 8 default views, but
they could only look at one model in the current file.
In V8i, you can view more than one model using separate views.
For example, you can view the DESIGN model and the SHEET model simultaneously.
Display Styles
A display style is a saved set of view parameters for view render modes. Display styles are created and
managed in the Display Styles dialog. These settings were saved on a per-view basis in previous
releases, but in V8i you can apply display styles that include render mode and settings. Store standard
display styles as a shared resource in .DGNLIB files.
Display Styles can be applied to the view quickly and

easily using the new button located in the View tools.
Wireframe Display Style Hidden Line Display Style Transparent Display Style
This feature is also helpful in a 2D environment.
Apply the display Style MONOCHROME
Original Display Monochrome display
Reference Detail Scale

Use the new Detail scale option in the attach reference dialog to attach a non-1:1 reference attachment to
display at a specific scale in a model. This scale is make all necessary adjustments based on the models
Master:Ref scale settings.
Synchronize References
You can now synchronize your reference file attachments with Saved Views. If you are not using the
new capabilities of Saved Views and Named Fences to quickly and efficiently attach your references;
you need to re-visit these new capabilities.
Saved Views
Saved views can now be displayed as elements in the design and sheet models. Using this new feature
saved views can be selected and manipulated like a standard element.
The Saved View dialog has a new SHOW column. When Show is enabled for a saved view, the
graphics display its view parameters. In any view, the saved view graphics can be selected with the
Selection tool or a fence, and manipulated like any other element.
Saved Views Dialog
Saved View Element
Note: Saved views now store the level settings for nested references.
Activate Reference
Use the new ACTIVATE REFERENCE for easier editing right from the active file. You no longer have
to use the EXCHANGE command.
While using this command you will be limited to editing only elements in the reference file. You will
see the ―activated reference‖ in full color while all other graphics will display in an override color. You
can control this override color using
Workspace > Preferences > Reference > Active Reference Override Color
When a reference is activated:

 Only operations on the activated reference are permitted.
 If you activate another reference, the currently activated reference is automatically deactivated.
 The reference is locked so that it cannot be edited in another session.
 DGN library data, such as levels and level filters, is not available in an activated reference file.
Annotation Scale for References

This is one I have been waiting for! You can now use Annotation Scale to control your reference file
annotation elements. Check this out!
You never have to worry about annotation sizes again!
Note: You can even modify the display of reference linestyle scales using this new feature.
Oldies with New Features

Some of the new enhancements to those old commands can be easily overlooked. Let’s take a look at
some of the new enhancements to our favorite old commands.
Change Attributes
Use the new ―DROPPER‖ symbol to match the
attributes of an existing element in the file.
Use the new CHANGE ENTIRE ELEMENT to

modify the attributes of everything in the
element. For example, if your text style or
dimension style defines different colors for
various portions of the element. Do you want
to change all portions of the element or just the
old default portions (the old way).
Global Origin Enhancements

A new Global Origin dialog displays when you key in GO= or ACTIVE ORIGIN. It provides you with
two options; MONUMENT POINT and CENTER (default).
New Interface Options

Use the new CONTEXT MENUS section to define your own <Right-Click> menus. For example, add
the new STRETCH command to the <Right-Click> menu.
Try using your new CONTEXT MENU by selecting a

single element.
CHANGE ENTIRE ELEMENT

A new option in V8i, Change Entire Element allows you to change all or part of an element to the
chosen attributes. It only works for elements that can have multiple attributes, such as a
dimension or underlined text:
New Mouse Controls

SHIFT + CTRL: INVERT ACCUSNAP
If AccuSnap is enabled, Shift + Ctrl will temporarily disable it. If it is disabled (e.g. for certain
operations such as Place Fence) AccuSnap will work.
New Selection Methods

Crossing, Window or Fence Selections
Use the <ALT> key to toggle the selection method between SHAPE and LINE.
Use the <SHIFT> key to toggle the selection method between INSIDE or OVERLAP mode.
New Copy/Increment Rules

Using the Copy and Increment Text tool has some significant differences from previous versions. If you
text contains specific characters, V8i interprets those characters as ―negative‖ value and increments the
number in a ―negative‖ direction.
To avoid this problem, add a ―negative‖ or ―minus‖ character in front of the increment number in the
TOOL SETTINGS DIALOG.
Why does this work? Because a DOUBLE NEGATIVE is equal to a POSITIVE.
That's probably more than I have time for….but hopefully

not more that you wanted to know!
Thank you for your time

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

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

12005 Quail Drive
Jeanne Aarhus
(402) 408-9696
Copyright © 2010 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 2011

12005 Quail Drive

åarhus ASSOCIATES, LLC

12005 Quail Drive

Available Training Classes

MicroStation Tips & Tricks

About this document:

User Preferences – What’s NEW?

Look and Feel

User Interface Enhancements

You can separate them using the new preference

Task Navigation Toolbar

Docked and Pinned

Useful Dialog Transparency

Draw a Line – THROUG A DIALOG!

Status Bar Customization

View Display Mode

Open the VIEW ATTRIBUTES dialog using CTRL+B and

Use the CLIP VOLUME view attribute and open SAVED

Note: If you have trouble seeing

 True — Measures the true distances in 3D,

match attributes fromcursor

Quick Access to PAN

Quick Access to Accudraw ORIGIN

buttonaction tentative;accudraw setorigin

How to customize your Button Assignments

match element fromcursor

DMSG SINKALL TOGGLE

I placed this on my F2 function key menu…what do you think?

Remove Dimension Elements On-the-Fly

CHANGE DIMENSION EXTENSION TOGGLE

I placed this on my F3 function key menu…what do you think?

$ %explorer /e, /select,$(_DGNFILE)

I placed this on my F4 function key menu…what do you think?

CYCLE BETWEEN ELEMENTS

Use the following variable to define your favorite snap modes.

Note: Use the SPACE key to move the focus to

Configure AccuDraw Dialog Size

AccuDraw Dialog Size

New AccuDraw Shortcuts

World ACS Per-View ACS

Level Manager & Level Display

Display Styles can be applied to the view quickly and

This feature is also helpful in a 2D environment.

Apply the display Style MONOCHROME

Original Display Monochrome display

Reference Detail Scale

Saved Views Dialog

Saved View Element

When a reference is activated:

Annotation Scale for References

You never have to worry about annotation sizes again!

Oldies with New Features

Use the new CHANGE ENTIRE ELEMENT to

Global Origin Enhancements

New Interface Options

Try using your new CONTEXT MENU by selecting a

CHANGE ENTIRE ELEMENT

New Mouse Controls

New Selection Methods

New Copy/Increment Rules

Why does this work? Because a DOUBLE NEGATIVE is equal to a POSITIVE.