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You are here: Home / MicroStation / Using Tool Settings and Linear Elements

Using Tool Settings and Linear Elements

November 23, 2009 by Edwin Prakoso 3 Comments

In this Article...

  • Using tool settings
  • Linear Elements

place circle settings We will start discussing details on our drawing tools. We are going to discuss some basic drawing tools, and how to use it with tool settings. The basic elements are linear, circle, and polygon elements.

Using tool settings

We use tool settings to change the element parameters. Tool settings will show you all available parameter for active tool. When you activate place circle, it will show you parameters for circle. When you activate place line, it will show you all parameters for line. Not just for drawing, it’s also used for modify and view navigation tools.

Activate place circle and take a look at the tool settings for circle. You can see that there is a diameter parameter. But if you have been playing with MicroStation tools for a while, you’ll find out that you don’t need to input diameter when placing circle. You can simply use AccuDraw to place two data points. So how can tool settings and AccuDraw can work together?

They talk to each other. Let’s try to activate place circle from navigation bar. Place a data point anywhere on your screen as the circle center point. Now move your pointer. As we have discussed before, the value in AccuDraw will be updated instantly. You can move your pointer, type the radius, and click data point to place the circle. But don’t define the second data point yet! See your tool settings. The diameter value is also changing.

Click reset to cancel this circle placement. Now, with the place circle still active, lock the diameter value in your tool settings, and type the diameter value.

diameter

Move your pointer to drawing area. Now you can see a circle attached to your pointer! If you defined the diameter (or radius) before defining data point, you can click only once to place the circle. Very useful if you have to place many circle with the same radius.

Linear Elements

We will discuss more about circle later. Now, let’s discuss about linear elements.

linear elements

Place SmartLine

We’ve been using SmartLine a couple of times. It’s named SmartLine, but we can place several elements type just using this tool. The elements can be:

  • Line, if it only has one line segment
  • Arc, if it only has one arc segment
  • Line string, if it has several line segments
  • Complex chain, if it has several line and arc segments
  • Complex shape, if it’s a closed element

A SmartLine can have arc and lines. You can change the segment type from line to arc and vice versa during placing the element. You can also change the vertex type to rounded or chamfered.

place smartline tool settings

A little tip: You can quickly change the top most parameter in tool settings by pressing [~] in your keyboard. See the animation for creating the profile below.

SmartLine Exercise

You can download an old animation here. They will show you how those profile were created. I created it using a free recorder when I still use V8 XM. Yes, it’s executable files, they have their own player.

Place Line

Another linear element that we can consider as basic is ‘place element’. You only can place a simple line using this tool. Every line you created only has one segment. You create four line segments, then it will be four separate lines.

Let’s take a look at the tool settings. There are only two parameters: length and angle. Try to lock the value for these two before you place your line.

place line tool settings

What happen? You only need to place one data point, and it already has the length and angle you wanted!

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Solution Consultant in Datech Solutions, Tech Data Indonesia. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
Connect with me on twitter or LinkedIn. If you want to have my new articles sent to your email inbox, you can subscribe to the newsletter.

Filed Under: MicroStation Tagged With: MicroStation Basic

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SAURABH
SAURABH
13 years ago

Dear Edwin ,

this is pretty interesting, while trying your second example of smartline (I -section),i tried to make the last line round at its starting point & sharp at its end point.

I am not able to do so, either its making both the end round or sharp.

Help…

Regards

Saurabh saran

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Edwin Prakoso
Edwin Prakoso
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Reply to  SAURABH
13 years ago

Saurabh,
Yes, the SmartLine will tend to create a closed polygon, so you can't make join a sharp edge and round segment. You need to create it first, then modify it using 'create circular fillet'. You can choose to truncate only the first segment you choose.

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SAURABH
SAURABH
Reply to  Edwin Prakoso
13 years ago

Edwin

create circular fillet’ command is not possible in smartline geometries as it asks for 1st line & 2nd line.

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