I started using CAD from AutoCAD. I believe most CAD users (at least that I know) also start learning from it. One thing that we depend on is using the command line. There is always strong reaction when we say Autodesk should get rid of command line. I always have the deadly question when I teach any other CAD application, if they already know AutoCAD: “does MicroStation has shortcuts like AutoCAD command line?”
Command line is very good feature for drafting. Many of us know how to activate the common tools using command line, but we forget how to activate it from ribbon (or toolbar) or from menus. So if you one of us, and having some problems when learning MicroStation, this might be helpful.
Key–In
MicroStation also has something similar to AutoCAD command line. It is called key-in window. You can open it by accessing menu: Utilities>Key-In.
By default, this key in has three rows: the key-in field, list boxes, and key-ins history. You can resize this key-in window and display only the key-in field. You can also dock this window to the bottom or top of your MicroStation window. But we, AutoCAD users will choose at the bottom, aren’t we?
Using this key-in window is similar (but not the same) with AutoCAD command line. You can see that the list boxes contain the available key-ins in MicroStation. You can choose from the list if you don’t remember what you should keyed-in.
Unlike command line, this key-ins have a hierarchy. The main key-in is in the first column of the list boxes. If the key-in has child tool, then they will appear on the next column.
DWG Commands
If you do rely heavily to command line, you can try to access AutoCAD command from key-in window. Type DWG then the AutoCAD command. Or you can pick from the list. You can also use “\” (without quote) as prefix. Use DWG (or “\”) then type the command.
Remember, you can’t have AutoCAD flavor in MicroStation. They work differently, and using key-in window as AutoCAD command line certainly won’t work. You can use key-in to find equal (or similar) AutoCAD tool in MicroStation during learning MicroStation.
For example, you know how to draw a rectangle in AutoCAD, but you are confused which tool is equal in MicroStation. You can open the key-in Window, type DWG rectangle (or
ectangle) and see which tool is active. Later, after you know that place block is the one you are looking for, you can directly access it. You will find out you can use W then 1 to activate the tool. It will be faster than forcing to use key-in as AutoCAD command line.
Using Your AutoCAD PGP
You may use AutoCAD shortcuts in your acad.pgp. By default, MicroStation will use acad.pgp in your AutoCAD installation folder. If you have them both on the same machine. You can use your shortcuts with the same prefix.
However, I find that MicroStation is not always able to find it. If your shortcuts don’t work, you may need to define the configuration variables (equal to AutoCAD system variables).
MicroStation Configuration Variables
You can open the MicroStation configuration dialog from MicroStation menu: workspace>configuration.
Find these configuration variables below:
MS_DWG_COMMANDPREFIX
By default, the DWG command prefix is “\”. You can change the prefix to something else you prefer.
MS_DWG_PGPFILE
This is the configuration to define your acad.pgp location. If your MicroStation can’t find your pgp file, change this variable.
If you are actually new to MicroStation, you might be interested to see our MicroStation tutorial series here.
In any Microstaiton, you can create commands the same as in AutoCAD. If you would want to command Line or Circle for example in Microstation, you can do that the way you do it in AutoCAD by pressing LI or CR. For Rotate command just press RO. For Rotate View, command RV. For Reference, say RF. You can customise any command. The only difference is no Enter key is needed. Which you will find it even easier. Also in Microstation, you can terminate command by using ESC key, which we most users often used in AutoCAD.
Note that these techniques, are “not” done in Key-In Windows. Key-In Windows is complicated.
I have created microstation commands copied from AutoCAD commands (almost all).
Note, that commands are limited to 2 letter values only. No more no less.
I have not encountered yet any Microstation users doing this. Once upon a time, my colleague asked me why my keyboard is noisy, that I have keyed- in a lot. He thought I was pretending that I am working. He was wondering why key-in a lot when I’m using Microstation, not AutoCAD. Then I showed him. The thing he was amazed was the ESC command that terminates any command.
please i want microstation new commends and how to use comends please sen to noets my email
I’m very new to MicroStation and wondered if somebody could help me.
I’m trying to plot points and text using a script file but am not sure how to stop the text input. Do I need to use ‘place text’ for each different text input. See my attempt below.
;Plotting pts
place point
xy=0,0,0
xy= 10,10,0
xy= 20,10,10
reset
tx=1
place text
T01; xy= 0,0,0
T02; xy = 10,10,0
T03; xy = 210,10,10
reset
Many thanks
Panic over. I think I’ve solved the problem.
MicroStation doesn’t like spaces between the xy and =
Removing the gaps meant that the text is plotted correctly and I inserted a “null” at the end just before reset.
Thank you for sharing Simon.
I’m sorry I can’t be helpful. I don’t have access to MicroStation license anymore :(
How to activate (deactivate) osnap command (F3) of autocad in Microstation using KEY-IN.
Also how to activate (deactivate) osnap tracking command (F11) of autocad in Microstation using KEY-IN.
Regards
Saurabh saran
Saurabh,
You can use 'accusnap on' and 'accusnap off'.
MicroStation doesn't have something like osnap tracking, but you can use temporary snap and accudraw. I'll cover this later.