MicroStationV8iAccuDrawBasics

BentleyInstituteCourseGuide
TRN013500-1/0001
MicroStation V8i AccuDraw Basics ii May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Trademarks
AccuDraw,Bentley,theBBentleylogo,MDL,MicroStationandSmartLineareregistered
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markofBentleySystems,IncorporatedorBentleySoftware,Inc.
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Adobe,theAdobelogo,Acrobat,theAcrobatlogo,Distiller,Exchange,andPostScriptare
trademarksofAdobeSystemsIncorporated.
Windows,MicrosoftandVisualBasicareregisteredtrademarksofMicrosoftCorporation.
AutoCADisaregisteredtrademarkofAutodesk,Inc.
Otherbrandsandproductnamesarethetrademarksoftheirrespectiveowners.
Patents
UnitedStatesPatentNos.5,8.15,415and5,784,068and6,199,125.
Copyrights
20002009BentleySystems,Incorporated.
MicroStation1998BentleySystems,Incorporated.
IGDSfileformats19811988IntergraphCorporation.
IntergraphRasterFileFormats1993IntergraphCorporation.
Portions19921994SummitSoftwareCompany.
Portions19921997SpotlightGraphics,Inc.
Portions19931995CriterionSoftwareLtd.anditslicensors.
Portions19921998SunMicroSystems,Inc.
PortionsUnigraphicsSolutions,Inc.
Icc19911995byAT&T,ChristopherW.Fraser,andDavidR.Hanson.Allrights
reserved.
Portions19971999HMR,Inc.Allrightsreserved.
Portions19921997STEPTools,Inc.
SentrySpellingCheckerEngine1993WintertreeSoftwareInc.
UnpublishedrightsreservedunderthecopyrightlawsoftheUnitedStatesandother
countries.Allrightsreserved.
May-09 iii Table of Contents
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
TableofContents
CourseOverview ____________________________________ 1
CourseDescription ____________________________________1
TargetAudience_______________________________________1
Prerequisites _________________________________________1
CourseObjectives _____________________________________1
IntroductoryKnowledge ________________________________2
Questions ________________________________________2
Answers__________________________________________2
AccuDrawand2DDrafting ____________________________ 3
ModuleOverview _____________________________________3
ModuleObjectives_____________________________________3
IntroductoryKnowledge ________________________________4
AccuDrawBasics ______________________________________4
TheAccuDrawworkflow_____________________________5
Theinputfocus ____________________________________6
AccuDrawindexing _________________________________7
DrawingwithAccuDraw ________________________________10
Lockingcoordinatevalues____________________________13
AccuDrawShortcuts ___________________________________14
Importantbasicshortcuts____________________________15
AccuDrawSettings_____________________________________28
Operationtab _____________________________________29
Displaytab________________________________________31
Coordinatestab____________________________________32
PopupCalculator _____________________________________33
Invokingandusingthepopupcalculator _______________34
TipsandHints ________________________________________39
Placenortharrowatcorrectorientationonrotatedview___39
Keyinginasymbol? _______________________________39
Keyinginanglequadrants?___________________________40
Keyinginacolon? __________________________________40
ChangeAccuDrawwindowtoNandE __________________40
ChangethesizeofAccuDraw'scompass ________________41
PageUpandPageDown_____________________________41
May-09 iv Table of Contents
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Table of Contents
AccuDrawand3DDrafting ____________________________ 43
ModuleOverview _____________________________________43
ModuleObjectives_____________________________________43
IntroductoryKnowledge ________________________________43
TheAccuDrawDrawingPlane ____________________________44
AccuDrawandElementPlacementin3D ___________________44
AccuDrawand3DShortcuts _____________________________49
UsingAccuDrawsRotatedDrawingPlanes _________________51
OrthogonalDrawingPlaneRotation _______________________53
TentativeSnapsandAccuDraw___________________________57
UsingAuxiliaryCoordinateTools__________________________60
AccuDrawShortcutsforACS__________________________61
DefineanACSalignedwithareferencefile ______________63
ACSinteractionwithAccuDraw _______________________64
SeparateACSperView ______________________________64
ProjectingPointsfromandACStoaPlane_______________66
Locatingelementsrelativetoothers ___________________68
3DTipsandHints______________________________________73
ChangeswhenplacingcellsandtextwithAccuDraw_______73
Move/PlaceelementsatthecorrectZelevation__________73
ModuleReviewQuestionsandAnswers _________________ 75
Questions ________________________________________75
Answers__________________________________________75
May-09 1 Course Overview
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
CourseOverview
CourseDescription
StudentswilllearnthatAccuDrawisindispensablewhenworkinginMicroStation.
Theywilldiscoverhowtousethisessentialandpowerfultooltoincreasedrawing
andmodelingaccuracy,andeasilycreatedifficultgeometrythatpreviously
requiredmanysteps.Thecoursecovers2Dand3DAccuDrawoperations.
TargetAudience
Thiscourseisrecommendedforthefollowingaudience(s):
AllusersofMicroStationorrelatedproducts
Prerequisites
BasicknowledgeofMicroStation
BasicknowledgeofMicrosoftWindowsXPorVista
CourseObjectives
Aftercompletingthiscourse,youwillbeableto:
UseAccuDrawtoaccuratelydraftin2D
UseAccuDrawtoaccuratelymodelin3D
UseAccuDrawshortcutsandsettingstoimproveproductiondraftingand
modelingspeedandprecision
Course Overview 2 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Introductory Knowledge
IntroductoryKnowledge
Beforeyoubeginthecourse,letsdefinewhatyoualreadyknow:
Questions
1 DescribehowtodrawaccuratelyinaCADapplication.
2 Whichofthefollowingiscorrect?
A.AccuDrawisfor3Donly.
B.AccuDrawcannotbeusedwithSheetmodels.
C.AccuDrawisthesingle,greatestinventioninthehistoryofCAD.
Answers
1 Accuratedrawingcanbeaccomplishedtwoways.
Usingprecisioninput.Thismeansusingnumericalmethodstoenter
distanceanddirectionofaelement.Forexample,theDX=orDI=orDL=
MicroStationkeyins.
UsingAccuDraw.Thisusesthegraphicsonthescreen,directionfromthe
mouse,anddistancekeyingins.
2 Ciscorrect.
May-09 3 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawand2DDrafting
ModuleOverview
AccuDrawisoneofMicroStationsmostversatiletools.Inthesimplestterms,
AccuDrawisaMicroStationDevelopmentLanguage(MDL)application.Itdoesnot
createormanipulateelementsorobjects,itassistsintheircreationand
manipulation.UsingAccuDrawinMicroStationislikeusingaTsquareandtriangle
inmanualdrafting.YouwouldmoveaTsquaretoalocationonadrawingand
starttodrawfromthere,becausethereisameasuringsystemattachedtothat
point.
AccuDrawimprovesqualityandspeedbyreducingkeystrokesandmouseclicks
Whendesigning,youuseagraphicalapplicationandhavegraphicalproblems,but
aretraditionallytaughtnumericalsolutions.AccuDrawisthegraphicalsolutionto
graphicalproblems.
ModuleObjectives
AccuDrawismorethanaquickwaytoinputdata.Itletsyouproducecomplex
geometrythatwasdifficulttoproducequicklyinthepast.Itreplacesthegrid,the
axislock,constructionelements,andmore.UsingAccuDrawanda2Dfileyouwill
beableto:
Traditional
DraftingMachine
AccuDrawSuperimposedon
aDraftingMachine
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 4 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Introductory Knowledge
Draftmoreaccuratelyandquickly
CreategeometryeasilythatwasdifficultwithoutAccuDraw
UseAccuDrawwithCreation,ManipulationandModificationtools
IntroductoryKnowledge
Beforeyoubeginthismodule,letsdefinewhatyoualreadyknow.
1 NamethreecreationtoolsthatwouldbenefitfromtheuseofAccuDraw.
2 DescribealternatemethodsofusingAccuDraw.
3 HowdoyoustartandstopAccuDraw?
AccuDrawBasics
BecauseAccuDrawwascreatedusingMDL,itsinterfaceiscompletelyintegrated
withMicroStation.Thepowerful,yethidden,portionofAccuDrawisits
intelligence.Itisdesignedtoinferasmuchinformationaspossiblefromyour
actions.IfthePlaceBlocktoolisselected,AccuDrawswitchestoaRectangular
coordinatesystem.IfPlaceCircleisselected,itswitchestoaPolarcoordinate
system.
StartandstopAccuDrawusingtheAccuDrawiconinthePrimaryToolstoolbar.
Whenenabled,AccuDrawhastwocomponents,theAccuDrawwindowandthe
AccuDrawcompass.Thesetwointerfaceelementsworkwitheachother.
AccuDrawwindowandtheAccuDrawcompass
TheAccuDrawwindowhastwomodesthatcanbetoggledusingthespacebar
whenAccuDrawisactiveandhasthefocus.TheRectangularmodeallowsforthe
May-09 5 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawBasics
entryofXandYdistancesfromAccuDrawsorigin.ThePolarmodeallowsforthe
entryofadistanceandanglefromtheorigin.
Thecompassismadeupofthreecomponentsthatarevisibleineitherthe
RectangularorPolarmode.
Theoriginisthecenterofthecompassandisalwayslocation0,0regardlessof
wherethecompassisinthedesign(arelativeorigin).
Thedashedrectangleorcircleisreferredtoasthedrawingplaneindicatorand
indicateseitherthedrawingRectangularorPolarplane.
ThegreenandredticksareAccuDrawsaxismarkersandareindependentof
boththedrawingaxisandtheviewaxis.
TheAccuDrawworkflow
IfyouplantouseAccuDrawyoumayneedtochangeyourworkflowbecause,
whenenabled,AccuDrawconsidersthreethingsandchangesitsbehavior
accordingly.
First,itconsidersatthecurrenttool.Forexample,iftheactivetoolisPlaceBlock
itwillremaininaRectangularmodewhichisexpressedasXandYdistancesfrom
itsorigin.IftheselectedtoolisPlaceArc,AccuDrawwillautomaticallyswitchto
Polarmodewhichisexpressedasdistanceandangle.
Second,AccuDrawconsidersthelocationofthepointerwithrespecttoitsorigin.
Asyoumovethepointeraroundthecompass,AccuDrawautomaticallyupdates
theXandYvaluesintheAccuDrawwindowskeyinfieldstoreflectthedistance
thepointerisfromitsorigin.Ifnodatapointisentered,thevaluesshowabsolute
coordinates.
Finally,AccuDrawconsidersandinterpretskeyboardshortcuts.Thesearesingleor
dualcharacterkeyinstodriveitsbehavior.Anexampleisusingthespacebarto
togglebetweentheRectangularandPolarmodes.
XAxisTick
YAxisTick
Origin
(0,0)
DrawingPlane
Indicator
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 6 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Basics
ThemouseisoneofthewaysthatAccuDrawinfersinformation.Whenmouse
moves,AccuDrawtracksthepointer'slocationinrelationshiptotheAccuDraw
compass.TheoperationalrulesofAccuDrawareasfollows.
1.Enteradatapointeitherusingprecisioninput,oradatapoint,tofixthe
locationof thecompass.
2.Movethepointerinthedirectioninwhichyouwishtodraw.
3.WithoutusingthepointertoputfocusintotheAccuDrawwindowkeyin
fields,enter thedesireddistancevalue.
4.<Optional>moveinanotherdirection.
5.<Optional>enteranotherdistancevalue.
6.Enteradatapointtoaccept.
7.Repeatfromstep2tocontinuedrawing.
Theimportantthingtorememberisthatyoumoveinthedirectionyouwishto
draw.YoudonotneedtoconsiderwhetheryouaremovingintheXdimensionor
Ydimension.
Youknowthedirectioninwhichyouneedtodrawbylookingatyournotesand
plans.Focusonthedirection,nottheXorYdimension.TheXandYdimensions
areuseful,butwhendrawingtheyarenottobethefocus.
Theinputfocus
Asyoumovethepointeraroundthescreen,AccuDrawcontinuallyupdatesthe
fieldthatiscurrentlyactiveintheAccuDrawwindow.Itisindicatedbythe
highlightedfieldtitle.AccuDrawsinputfocusletsyouentervalueswhereverthe
insertionbarishighlighted.
IfthepointersmovementawayfromthepreviousdatapointincludesahigherX
valuethantheYvalue,theinputfocusappearsintheXfield.Ifthepointers
May-09 7 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawBasics
movementawayfromthepreviousdatapointincludesahigherYvaluethantheX
value,thentheinputfocusappearsintheYfield.
MoveintheXdirectionandfocusisintheXfield
MoveinYdirectionandfocusisintheYfield
Onceafieldhasinputfocus,theinputfieldbecomesautooverwriteandauto
enter.Youdonothavetohighlightorclickinthefields,orpressthe<Enter>key.
AccuDrawindexing
AccuDrawcanindextoaxes,theoriginandthepreviousdistance.Theindexing
featureworkslikeAccuSnap.Ifyougetclosetoanindexingstate,thepointer
temporarilylocksontotothatstate.
Forexample,whenthepointernearsa90degreeangletotheoriginofthe
compassitwillindextothatangle.Inthiswayitcanreplacetheaxis(Ortho)lock
inallbutafewsituations.
Exercise:LearningaboutAccuDrawIndexing
1 SetthefollowingintheFileOpendialog:
User:examples
Project:General
2 OpenBaseGeometry.dgn.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 8 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Basics
3 EnsurethatAccuDrawisactive.
4 EnsurethattheDrawingtasksaretheavailabletasks.
5 Pantoanopenareaofthedesign.
6 SetthefollowingintheAttributestoolbar:
Level:Object
Color:5
Style:0
Weight:2
7 SelectPlaceSmartLine(Q+1)withthefollowingtoolsettings:
SegmentType: Lines
VertexType:Sharp
8 Notethestatusbarpromptandenteradatapointtostartthefirstvertex.
Notindexedtotheaxis
IndexedtotheXaxis
NoteY=0
9 MovethepointerslowlytowardtheXaxis.
May-09 9 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawBasics
Onceyouarewithin10pixels,thelinewillmoveto,andstayon,theX
axis.ThatisIndexingtotheXaxis.
10 MovethepointertowardtheYaxis.
11 MovethepointerneartheAccuDraworigin.
NotindexedtotheAccuDrawOrigin
IndexedtotheAccuDrawOrigin
X&Y=0
12 Enteradatapointandmoveperpendicularuntilyouareclosetothe
distanceofthefirstsegment.
Firstsegmentdrawn
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 10 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Drawing with AccuDraw
SecondsegmentshowspreviousdistancewithashortTline
Notedistancesareequalforbothsegments
DrawingwithAccuDraw
ThenexttaskistodrawthefollowingobjectusingAccuDrawandSmartLines.
Youcancalculatethemissingdimensionsfromtheinformationgiven
Youwillstartatthelowerleftandmoveinacounterclockwisedirection.
Exercise:BasicdrawingwithAccuDraw
1 ContinuinginBaseGeometry.dgn,Pantoanopenareaofthedesign.
May-09 11 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
DrawingwithAccuDraw
2 SelectPlaceSmartLine(Q+1).
3 Notethestatusbarpromptandenteradatapointanywheretostart.
ThisisthefirstvertexoftheelementandtheAccuDrawcompassappears
atthedatapointlocation.
4 Movethepointertotheright,liningupwiththeXaxis.
Thisiscalledindexing.
5 WithoutmovingthepointerintotheAccuDrawwindow,enter2000.
6 Enteradatapointtoacceptthevalue.
Notethatthecompassmovestothelastdatapoint.
7 Movethepointerupwardandlineupwith,orindexto,theYaxis.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 12 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Drawing with AccuDraw
8 Enter1500andacceptwithadatapoint.
9 MovethepointertotheleftandindextotheXaxis.
10 Enter1000andacceptwithadatapoint.
11 MovethepointerdownwardandindextotheYaxis.
May-09 13 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
DrawingwithAccuDraw
12 Enter750andenteradatapointtoaccept.
13 Movethepointertotheleft,indextotheXaxis,enter1000,andaccept
withadatapoint.
14 Movethepointerdownward,indextotheYaxisandenter750toclose
theshape.
Hint: Keepthemousesteady.Ifyoumovethemousearoundtoomuch,indexingwill
belost.
Lockingcoordinatevalues
WhenyouenteravaluefromthekeyboardAccuDrawlocksthecurrentinputfield
andimmediatelyaffectsthepointersmotionbecauseitknowsyouareentering
coordinatedata.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 14 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Shortcuts
Afterenteringavalueinthefirstfield,movethepointeruntiltheinputfocus
changestotheotherfieldandyoucanentertheothervalue.Thecoordinatesyou
haveenteredestablishapointfortheplacementoftheelement.
AccuDrawShortcuts
AccuDrawsbehaviorisinfluencedbythecurrenttool,thelocationofthepointer
andkeyboardshortcuts.AccuDrawanticipatesyournextmove.Sometimes,
however,youwillwanttodirectAccuDraw,sothereareavarietyofsingleand
doublecharactercommanddirectivesknownastheshortcutkeyins.Bypressing
theappropriatekeywhilefocusisintheAccuDrawwindowyoucandirect
AccuDrawtoperformaspecifictask.
AsaconventioninBentleyInstitutecourses,theAccuDrawshortcutappears
insideanglebraces,forexample,<shortcut>
TheseshortcutsonlyworkwhentheAccuDrawwindowhasthefocus(isthe
activewindow).Whenyouselectatool,thefocusdoesnotgototheAccuDraw
window.Whenyouenteradatapointtostartusingthetool,thenthefocuswill
shifttotheAccuDrawwindow.
Note: PressF11tomovethefocustotheAccuDrawwindow.
IffocusisonHomethenSpaceBarworksaswelltoputfocusonAccuDraw.
ToopenawindowshowingalistofallAccuDrawshortcuts,pressthe?key.Thisis
theonlyshortcutyouneedtomemorize,sinceitwillshowyoualltherest.
AfterenteringtheXvalue
andthenmovinginY,you
willlocktheXvalue.Note
theletterXisdepressed
Note the additional index line
indicating the Y is not yet locked. Note
the letter Y is raised
May-09 15 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawShortcuts
Exercise:Focusandthe?shortcut
1 ContinuinginBaseGeometry.dgn,selectPlaceSmartLine(Q+1).
Notethatfocusremainsathome.
2 PressF11toshiftthefocustoAccuDraw.
3 Pressthe<?>keyandexpandtheAccuDrawShortcutswindow.
4 ReturnfocustotheAccuDrawwindowbypressingF11.
5 PressGthenT,<GT>,tomovefocustothetoolsettingswindow.
Popupconfirmationfortwolettershortcutsallowsselectionofothershortcuts
Note: ThefocuscanalsobemovedtothetoolsettingswindowbypressingF10.
Importantbasicshortcuts
SpaceBar=Changedisplaymode
ThespacebartogglesbetweenRectangularandPolarmode.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 16 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Shortcuts
X=toggleXlock,Y=toggleYlock
The<X>or<Y>keyscanbeselectedatanytimetolockorunlockthepresentXor
YvalueswheninRectangularmode.Afieldislockedwhenthecharactericonis
pressed.
D=toggleDistancelock,A=toggleAnglelock
TypeAshortcutforAnglelockandtypeanglevalue.
<D>or<A>canbeselectedtolocktheDistanceorAngleinthePolarcoordinate
system.
Enter=SmartLock
SmartLockwillindextotheclosestaxisandlocktheoppositefieldvalue.For
example,iftheXvalueisindexed,theYvaluewillbelockedat0.Thisallowsyou
todrawinonedirectionbutsnaptoobjectsintheotherdirection.InPolarmode,
ifDistanceisactive,theAnglewillbelocked.
Q=Quit
Press<Q>toquitAccuDraw.
V=Viewrotation
May-09 17 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawShortcuts
Press<V>torotatethecompasstoalignwiththeviewaxis.Thisisespecially
usefulwhenworkingwithrotatedviews.
O=SetOrigin
Pressing<O>movesthecompasstothecurrentpointerpositionoratentative
point.ThisisveryhelpfulwhencombinedwithAccuSnap.
RQ=RotateQuick
<R><Q>temporarilychangestherotationofthecompasstoauserdefinedangle.
Onceadatapointhasbeenentered,thecompassresumesitsnormalorientation.
~=BumpToolSetting
Thetilde<~>character(no<Shift>keyrequired)isusedtobumpthevalueofthe
firstadjustablesettinginthetoolsettingswindowtothenextvalidvalue.For
example,whenusingthePlaceSmartLinetool,BumpToolSettingwillchangethe
SegmentTypefromLinetoArcs.
Tobumpthesecond(fromtop)toolsettingusethekeyin:
accudrawbumptoolsetting2
Incrementthenumberforadditionaltoolsettings.Youcanaddthesetoyour
shortcutsforlateruse.
K=KeypointSnapDivisor
OpenstheKeypointSnapDivisordialogbox,whichisusedtosetthesnapdivisor
forkeypointsnapping.
I=IntersectSnap
ActivatesIntersectsnapmode.
C=CenterSnap
ActivatesCentersnapmode.
Note: Shortcutscanbecustomized.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 18 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Shortcuts
OneimportantconceptisthatAccuDrawhasanswers.Thesearenotanswers
abouthowtodosomething,buttheanswerstoaproblemyouaretryingtosolve.
Manytimesyouneedtocopyameasurementordoacalculation.AccuDrawdoes
thatforyou.
AnimportantfeatureisthatyoucanplaceanAccuDraworiginatatentative
point.Bysnappingtoapointandthenpressingthe<O>,theOriginshortcut,you
canplacetheAccuDraworiginatthatpoint.Donotacceptthetentativepoint,
justtentativesnapandpress<O>.
Note: Remindyourselfnottoautomaticallyacceptthetentativesnap.Justtentative
snapandpress<O>.
Inthefollowingexerciseyouwillplacearotatedblockatthesameangleasan
existingline.WithoutAccuDraw,thismighttakeseveralminutesandrequire
manysteps.AccuDrawsimplifiestheprocess.
Youwilldrawtherotatedblockbasedontheline
First,writeouthowyouwoulddothisoperationwithoutAccuDraw.
Exercise:UseaseriesofAccuDrawcommands
1 ContinuingintheBaseGeometry.dgn,Pantoanopenareaofthedesign.
2 SetthefollowingintheAttributestoolbar:
Level:Object
Color:0
Style:0
Weight:1
3 SelectPlaceSmartLine(Q+1).
May-09 19 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawShortcuts
4 Placealineatanyangle.Thelengthofthelineisnotimportant.
5 SelectPlaceBlock(W+1)withthefollowingtoolsettings:
Method:Orthogonal
Area:Solid
FillType:None
6 Snaptotheupperrightendoftheskewedlineandpress<O>forOrigin.
DONOTenteradatapointtoacceptthesnappoint.
AccuDrawOriginplacedatsnappoint
7 Press<RQ>toRotateQuick.
RQallowsthecompasstobespunaroundandreoriented
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 20 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Shortcuts
RotateAccuDrawAxescommandandtoolsettingfromRQ
8 Notethepromptinthestatusbar.
TheRotateQuickcommandrequiresyoutodefinetheXaxis.
9 MovethepointertowardstheotherendofthelineandAccuSnaptothe
end.Enteradatapointatthislocation.
Thecompasshasrotatedtotheangleoftheline.
Note:AnevenquickermethodwouldbetoAccuSnapfirst,andthenpress
<RQ>.Usingthismethod,youdonotneedtoenteradatapoint.
NotethatyouhavereturnedtothePlaceBlockcommand.
May-09 21 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawShortcuts
10 MovethepointeralongtheXaxisandtowardstherightandindextothe
negativeXaxis,whilekeepingtheYvaluezero.Enteravalueof1000units.
11 Acceptwithadatapoint.
Notethatthedirection,upandtotheright,andnottheXdimensionis
theimportantthingtothinkaboutinthepreviousstep.
Youhavenowplacedthefirstcornerpointoftheblock.Itisrotatedeven
thoughtheMethodwassettoOrthogonal.
12 MoveintheXdirectionandenteravalueof750.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 22 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Shortcuts
13 MoveintheYdirectionandenteravalueof1000.
14 Enteradatapointtoacceptthe750mmby1000mmblock.
May-09 23 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawShortcuts
Inthenextexerciseyouwilldrawanovalshapedelementaroundaninner
rectangle.Theonlyinformationyouwillhaveistheminimumclearancedistance
fromtherectangle.
Exercise:UsemoreAccuDrawshortcuts
1 ContinuinginBaseGeometry.dgn,Pantoanopenareaofthedesign.
2 SelectPlaceBlock(W+1)withthefollowingtoolsettings:
Method:Orthogonal
Area:Solid
FillType:None
3 Followingthestatusbarprompt,placeaverticalblockofanysize.
4 SelectPlaceSmartLine(Q+1).
5 ReadthestatusbarpromptandnotethatMicroStationrequiresadata
pointtodefinethefirstvertex.
Thefirstvertexwillbeoffsetfromthetoprightcorneroftheblock.
6 MovethepointertothetoprightcorneruntilyouseetheAccuSnapX.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 24 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Shortcuts
7 Press<O>tomovetheAccuDrawcompasstothislocation.
8 IndexalongtheXaxisandenteradistancethatisappropriateforthe
currentzoomlevel.
9 Notethestatusbarpromptandenteradatapointforthefirstvertexof
theSmartLine.
May-09 25 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawShortcuts
10 Movethepointerdownwardandpress<Enter>tolocktheaxis.
SmartLockindexedtothenearestaxisandlockedXat0
11 Snaptothelowerrightcorneroftheblockandenteradatapoint.
Thisestablishesthelengthofthelinesegment.
DashedlineindicatesthatXislockedat0
12 WithfocusintheAccuDrawwindow,pressthe<~>keytochangethe
SegmentTypefromLinestoArcs.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 26 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Shortcuts
Thestatusbarindicatesthatyouneedtodefinethelocationofthearc
center.
13 Movethepointertothemidpointoftheblocksloweredgeandentera
datapointwhenyouseetheAccuSnapX.
Thisbecomesthecenterofthearc.
Placearccenterpoint
Nextyouneedtodefinethesweepangleofthearc.
14 Movethepointerclockwiseandsweepthrough180degrees.Enteradata
pointtoacceptthesweep.
AccuDrawindexingmakes90degreeincrementseasytodraw
May-09 27 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawShortcuts
15 Pressthe<~>keytochangetheSegmentTypetoLines.
16 Movethepointeruptothetopoftheviewandpress<Enter>to
SmartLock.
17 Snaptotheupperleftcorneroftherectangleandenteradatapointtofix
thelengthofthelinesegment.
18 WithfocusontheAccuDrawwindow,press<~>tochangetheSegment
TypetoArc.
19 Followingthestatusbarprompt,snaptothemidpointofthetopofthe
rectangle.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 28 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Settings
20 Enteradatapointtoacceptthisasthelocationforthecenterofthearc.
21 Movethepointerclockwisetodrawthe180degreearcandcompletethe
oval.
AccuDrawSettings
ManyaspectsofAccuDrawsbehaviorcanbesetusingcustomsettings.Setthem
intheAccuDraw'sSettingsdialogbox.Useoneofthefollowingmethodstoaccess
it.
SelectSettings>AccuDraw.
Press<GS>whiletheinputfocusisontheAccuDrawwindow.
May-09 29 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawSettings
RightclickontheAccuDrawiconinthePrimaryToolstoolboxandselect
Properties.
Operationtab
Autoload
TheAutoLoadsettingforcesAccuDrawtoopenatthebeginningofeachsession.
TurnthisoffifyouwouldratherusetheToggleAccuDrawtooltostartAccuDraw
manually.
Floatingorigin
Thefloatingoriginisturnedonbydefault.ItinstructsAccuDrawtomovethe
compasstothelastdatapoint.TheAccuDrawcompassremainsinafixedposition
untilyouenteranotherdatapointorreissuetheoriginwiththe<O>shortcut.
Floatingoriginmustbeonforallcontextsensitivityfeaturestoperformproperly.
Contextsensitivity
Whenthissettingison,contextsensitivityenablestoolstoprovidehintsto
AccuDrawtooverrideitsdefaultbehaviorforsmootheroperation.Thiscan
includesettingcustomcontextrotations,settingtheorigin,lockingvalues,or
settingthecoordinatesystemtype.
AccuDrawscompassrotates
tothelastelementplaced
withContextSensitivity
turnedon
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 30 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Settings
Autofocusfields
Ifon,the<A>and<D>AccuDrawshortcutssetfocustotheselectedfieldandlock
thecurrentvalue.
Ifoff,the<A>and<D>AccuDrawshortcutslockthecurrentvaluewithout
affectingthefocus.ThissettingisforPolarcoordinatesonly.
AutoPointPlacement
Ifon,placesdatapointsautomaticallywhentheyhavebeenfullyconstrained(if
youhavelockedboththeXandYvalues,orifyouhavelockedoneortheother
whilethepointerisindexedtozero).Thedefaultisoff.Thisfeatureis
recommendedforexperiencedAccuDrawusersincertainworkflowsonly.
StickyZLock
Ifon,whenyoulocktheZaxis,itwillremainlockedthroughconsecutive
operations.Normally,locksareclearedwhenyouenteradatapoint.Thissetting
isuseful,forexample,whereyouwanttodrawontheoneplane(thatis,you
wanttolockZ=0),whilesnappingtoelementsthatareonanotherplane.With
StickyZLockenabled,theZvaluewillremainlockeduntilyouturnitoff.
AlwaysShowCompass
Ifon,whenyouactivateAccuDraw,thecompassdisplayspriortoyouplacinga
datapointforthecurrentoperation
AutoFocusFields
ForPolarcoordinatesonlyIfon,the<A>and<D>AccuDrawshortcutssetfocus
totheselectedfieldandlockthecurrentvalue.
AccuDrawscompassdoes
notrotatetoalignwiththe
lastplacedelementif
ContextSensitivityis
turnedoff
May-09 31 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawSettings
Ifoff,the<A>and<D>AccuDrawshortcutslockthecurrentvaluewithout
affectingthefocus.
DefaultOrigin
Letsyouchoosethedefaultorigin.WhenatoolstartsAccuDrawandthereisno
origincurrentlydefined,thenthissettingspecifiesthedefaultlocationofthe
AccuDrawdrawingplaneorigin.Optionsare:
ViewCenteronactiveZSetsAccuDraw'sorigintothecenteroftheview,at
theActiveZdepthoftheview.
GlobaloriginSetsAccuDraw'sorigintotheGlobalOriginofthefile.
GlobaloriginonactiveZSetsAccuDraw'sorigintotheGlobalOrigin(X,Y)at
theActiveZdepthoftheview.
Displaytab
Thistabcontainssettingsthatchangethevariousdisplayfeatures.Thisincludes
itemssuchasthecolorsoftheaxisticks,thehighlightwhenindexing,theframe
andthefill.
Inaddition,therearethreekeyincommandsthatareenteredfromthekeyboard
thatcanaffectAccuDrawsdisplay.
AccuDrawSettingsSizexx
Wherexxisavaluebetween6and399.ThissetsthesizeoftheAccuDraw
compasswhichhasadefaultsizeof40.
AccuDrawSettingsNE
WillchangethedisplayofAccuDrawskeyinwindowfromXandYtoN
(Northing)andE(Easting).
AccuDrawSettingsXY
WillchangethedisplayofAccuDrawskeyinwindowtoXandY.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 32 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw Settings
Coordinatestab
ThistabisusedtodefinetheCoordinateSystem,UnitRoundoff,andIndexing
settings.
CoordinateSystem
ContainscontrolsthatareusedtorotateAccuDraw'sdrawingplaneandtoset
AccuDraw'sCoordinateSystem.
Rotation
Setstherotationofthedrawingplaneaxes.WhiletheAccuDrawwindowhas
thefocus,pressingthekeycombinationindicatedinparentheseshasthe
sameeffectaschoosingthespecifiedrotation.
Type
SetsthemethodusedintheAccuDrawwindowtospecifydistancesand
anglesrelativetothedrawingplaneorigin.
UnitRoundOff
Containscontrolsthatareusedtosettheincrementalroundoffvaluefor
distancesandanglesrelativetothedrawingplaneorigininthePolarCoordinate
systemonly.
Distance
Setstheroundoffvaluefordistancesrelativetothedrawingplaneorigin.
Whenthisison,theroundoffvalueiseffective,exceptifoverriddenbykeyed
invaluesorsnappedtentativepoints.
Angle
May-09 33 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
PopupCalculator
Setstheroundoffvalue,indegrees,foranglesrelativetothedrawingplane
originwheninPolarmode.Whilethecheckboxison,theroundoffvalueis
effectiveexceptifoverriddenbykeyedinvaluesorsnappedtentativepoints.
Note: Thesesettingsdonotaffectvaluesthatarekeyedinortentativepoints.
Indexing
ControlsthesettingsforAccuDrawsindexingtoaxes,theoriginandtheprevious
distanceentered.
Axis
Ifon,indexingisactivatedforAccuDraw'sdrawingplaneXandYaxes.The
distancerequiredtomovethepointerfromtheindexedaxisiscontrolledby
theTolerancesetting.
Distance
Ifon,setstheminimumdistancethatthepointermustmovefromthe
AccuDraworigininordertoplaceanewdatapoint.Theminimumdistanceis
controlledbytheTolerancesetting.
LocationTolerance
Setstheminimumdistance,inscreenpixels,usedbytheAxisandDistance
settings.Allowablevaluesare1to99.
PopupCalculator
Thepopupcalculatorallowsyoutoperformmathematicaloperationsonthefly.
ThePopupCalculatorisactivatedbypressingoneofthefollowing:+,,*,/,=
inanytextfieldthatsupportsit.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 34 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Pop-up Calculator
ThisincludesAccuDraw'skeyinfieldsandmanyotherfields,suchasActiveAngle
orActiveScale.Infact,thePopupCalculatoriseverywhereinMicroStation.
Thepopupcalculatorcanalsoperformadvancedmathematicalfunctions
includingtheuseoftrigonometricandlogarithmicfunctions,multipleoperators,
parentheses,andCexpressions.
Invokingandusingthepopupcalculator
Youcaninvokethepopupcalculatorintwodifferentmodes.Thefirstmethod
appliesthemathematicalexpressiontotheexistingvaluedisplayedinthefield
withfocus.Toactivatethismode,presseither<+>,<>,<*>,or</>.
Thesecondmodeisactivatedbythe<=>keyandreplacestheexistingvaluewith
theresultsofakeyedinexpressionorcalculation.Inthismode,theresult
dynamicallyupdatesintheoriginalfield,ratherthanhavingafieldofitsownin
thepopup.Thisfeatureisusuallyusedformorecomplexexpressions.
LetsseehowyoumightuseMicroStationspopupcalculatorineverydaydrawing
tasks.
Exercise:Usingthepopupcalculator
1 ContinuinginBaseGeometry.dgn,Pantoanopenareaofthedesign.
2 SelectPlaceSmartLine(Q+1)withthefollowingtoolsetting:
SegmentType:Lines
May-09 35 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
PopupCalculator
3 Followingthestatusbarprompt,placethefirstvertexanywhereinthe
view.
4 IndextotheXaxisandpress<Enter>toSmartLock.
5 Type1500.
6 Pressthe</>keytoopenthepopupcalculatorinthedivisionfunction.
7 Type7intothecalculatorfield.
Theresultisshownnumericallyandgraphically
8 Enteradatapointtoacceptthesecondvertex.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 36 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Pop-up Calculator
9 IndextotheYaxis.
10 Type750.
11 Pressthe<*>keytoopenthepopupcalculatorinthemultiplication
function.
12 Type1.375intothecalculatorfieldandaccepttheresultingvaluewitha
datapoint.
May-09 37 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
PopupCalculator
Thereareotherusesforthepopupcalculator,suchasfindingadistancehalfway
betweentwoobjects.
Exercise:Usethepopupcalculatortofindadistance
1 ContinuinginBaseGeometry.dgn,Pantoanopenareaofthedesign.
2 SelectPlaceSmartLine(Q+1).
3 Enterthefirstvertexanywhere.
4 IndextotheXaxisandenteraseconddatapointanywherealongtheX
axis.
5 Copythefirstlineandplaceitbelow.
6 SelectPlaceCircle(E+1)withthefollowingtoolsettings:
Method:Center
Area:Solid
FillType:None
Youarepromptedtoenterthecenterpointofthecircle.
7 AccuSnaptotherightendoftheupperline.
8 WithfocusintheAccuDrawwindow,press<O>tosettheoriginatthe
snappoint.
9 Snaptotheleftendofthelowerline.
10 PressthespacebartoswitchtoPolarmode.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 38 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Pop-up Calculator
TheDistancefielddisplaysthelineardistancefromtheorigintothe
currentlocationofthepointer.
11 Press</>andenter2inthecalculatorfield.
Thisdividesthedistancebytwo.
12 Acceptthecirclecenterpointwithadatapoint.
May-09 39 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
TipsandHints
13 Followingthestatusbarprompt,enteraradiusof100andacceptwitha
datapoint.
14 SelectFile>Close.
Thepopupcalculatorcanalsodotrigonometric,logarithmic,exponentialand
othermathematicalfunctions.Foracompletelistofavailablemathematical
functionspleaserefertotheonlineHelp;WorkingwithCompletedDesigns>
Visualization>Animation>ParametricMotionControl>ScriptingParametric
Motion>BuiltinVariablesandFunctions.
TipsandHints
TherearemorewaysthatAccuDrawcanmakedesigningeasier.
Placenortharrowatcorrectorientationonrotatedview
Toquicklyplaceanortharrowcellonarotatedview,usethekeyin:
ac=north3;aa=0;accudrawdialog;accudrawsetorigin;accudrawrotate
top;%d;accudrawrotateview;accudrawquit;reset
Keyinginasymbol?

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Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Tips and Hints
Whendigitizingnewlinework,youcanreplacethedegreesymbol(^)witha
semicolon(;)whenenteringanglesinAccuDraw.
Forexample:
N89^59'42"EcanbeenteredasN89;59'42"E
Keyinginanglequadrants?
Whenspecifyingquadrantsforenteringangles,youcanusethefollowing
numbers:
NE=1
NW=2
SW=3
SE=4
Youcanleveragethisinformationbytypingthequadrantnumber,aspaceand
thenthedegreevalueintheanglefieldofAccuDraw.
N89^59'42"Enowbecomes189;59'42"
Keyinginacolon?
Wanttoavoidtypingacolon(:)toseparatethefeetfromincheswhenusing
Accudraw?
Useasemicolon(;),anapostrophe('),ortwoperiods(..)instead.
ChangeAccuDrawwindowtoNandE
UsethesekeyinstoswitchAccuDrawbetweenNorthings/EastingsandX/Y.
accudrawsettingsnortheast
accudrawsettingsxy
May-09 41 AccuDraw and 2D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
TipsandHints
ChangethesizeofAccuDraw'scompass
YoucanchangethesizeofAccuDraw'scompassusingthefollowingkeyin.
accudrawsettingssizenumber
(Wherenumberisavaluebetween6and399.)
Thelowerthevaluethesmallerthecompass.Thedefaultnumberis40[pixels].
PageUpandPageDown
YoucanscrollthroughthelastfewdistancesinAccuDrawusingthePageUpand
PageDownkeyboardkeys.
AccuDraw and 2D Drafting 42 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Tips and Hints
May-09 43 AccuDraw and 3D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawand3DDrafting
ModuleOverview
Whendrawingin3D,AccuDrawinterpretsthepositionofthepointerrelativeto
previousdatapoints,vieworientation,andthecoordinatesystemjustasin2D.
UsingAccuDraw,youcanquicklyenteradditionaldatapointsthatbuildonthose
placedpreviously.YoucanuseAccuDrawbyitself,orwithanAuxiliaryCoordinate
System(ACS).
ModuleObjectives
AccuDrawwasdesignedtoworkwiththe3Ddrawingenvironment.Youcanwork
inaviewotherthananorthogonalviewsuchasTop,Front,orRight,butstilldraw
intheorthogonalplanes.UsingAccuDrawanda3Dfileyouwillbeableto:
Designina3Denvironment.
UseAuxiliaryCoordinateSystemstocontroldraftingplanes.
UseAccuDraws3Dshortcuts.
IntroductoryKnowledge
Beforeyoubeginthismodule,letsdefinewhatyoualreadyknow:
1 NamethetwoAccuDrawinterfacecomponents.
2 Describethemethodusedtodrawa10unitlonglineusingAccuDraw.
3 NamethreeAccuDrawshortcuts.
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Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
The AccuDraw Drawing Plane
TheAccuDrawDrawingPlane
RotatedviewssuchasIsometricorRightIsometricletyouviewadesignmore
clearly.IfyouwanttodrawanobjectontheToporFrontplanewhenworkingin
theseviews,youcanrotatetheAccuDrawcompasstotheplaneusingan
AccuDrawshortcut.DothisbyrotatingAccuDrawscompasstoanorthogonal
planeusingoneoftheshortcutsV(view),T(top),F(front),orS(side).
Nomatterwhichviewyouareworkingin,youcanuseAccuDrawshortcutstorotateitscompasstothe
Top(T),Front(F),Side(S)orView(V)orientation
Note: RememberthatthefocusmustbeintheAccuDrawwindowforshortcutsto
work.
AccuDrawandElementPlacementin3D
Placingelementsina2Dfileisassimpleasdrawingonasheetofpaper.All
elementsareononeplane,theX,Yplane.Whenyouplacethesameelementsina
3Dfile,bydefault,theyareplacedintheAccuDrawdrawingplane.TheAccuDraw
drawingplanecanberotatedtomatchtheviewyouareusing,oritcanbe
definedtobeaparticularrotation.
Inthefollowingexercisesyouwilldrawanopenrectangularboxusing2Dblocks.
Exercise:Openthemodelanddrawthebasesurface
1 SetthefollowingintheFileOpendialog:
User:Untitled
Project:untitled
2 OpenAccuDraw_3D.dgn.
3 OpenthemodelAccuDraw_01.
May-09 45 AccuDraw and 3D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawandElementPlacementin3D
YoucanseetheACStriadineachview.Itindicatesthedirectionsofthe3
axes.YoutogglethedisplayoftheACStriadintheViewAttributesdialog
box.
4 MaketheDrawingtaskstheactivetask.
5 WithfocusintheAccuDrawwindow,press<V>onthekeyboard.
ThisistheAccuDrawshortcutforVieworientation.
FirstyouwilldrawthebaseoftheboxusingtheTopview.Youwilluse
AccuDrawtoinputprecisedimensionsfortheblock.Thispartofthe
exerciseisnodifferentthanworkingin2D.
6 SelectPlaceBlock(W+1).
7 EnteradatapointinthelowerleftcorneroftheTopview.
8 Movethepointertotherightand,withitindexedtoAccuDrawsxaxis,
keyin1.5anddoNOTenteradatapoint.
9 Movethepointerupwardandenter1.25.
10 Enteradatapointtocompletetheblock.
11 Fiteachview.
NotethattheblockappearsasalineinboththeFrontandRightviews,
whereitisedgeontotheview.Itislikelookingatasheetofpaperedge
on.
AccuDraw and 3D Drafting 46 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw and Element Placement in 3D
Next,youwillusetheFrontandRightviewstodrawthecorrespondingfrontand
rightfacesofthebox.Eachviewhasanactivedepth,wheredatapointsfallby
defaultifyoudonotsnaptoanelement.Here,youwillsnaptotheblockthatyou
justdrewanduseAccuDrawtokeepthepointeratthatdepthintheview.
Exercise:UseFrontandRightviewstodrawcorrespondingfacesforthebox
1 ContinuinginthemodelAccuDraw_01,selectPlaceBlock(W+1).
2 IntheFrontview,snaptotheleftendoftheexistingblock,whichappears
asalineinthisview,andacceptwithadatapoint.
3 Movethepointertotherightand,withitindexedtoAccuDrawsxaxis,
keyin1.5.
4 Movethepointerupward,enter0.5,andenteradatapointtocomplete
theblock.
5 Fiteachview.
Fortherightface,youcansnaptoexistingelementstoplacethepoints.
6 SelectPlaceBlock(W+1).
7 IntheRightview,snaptotherightendofthebase(thehorizontalline)
andacceptwithadatapoint.
8 ContinuingintheRightview,snaptothetopofthefrontsurface(the
verticalline)andacceptwithadatapoint.
Asyoudothis,watchtheIsometricviewtoensurethatyouaresnapping
tothecorrectpointsandthatyouareplacingtheblockcorrectly.
May-09 47 AccuDraw and 3D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawandElementPlacementin3D
9 Fiteachview.
Tocompletethebox,youcanusethecopytooltocopytheexistingfacesand
createtheoppositesides.Whenyoucopyanelementin3D,itretainsitscurrent
orientation.Thatmeansaverticalfaceremainsvertical,ahorizontalfaceremains
horizontal,andsoon.
Exercise:Copytheexistingfacestocompletethebox
1 ContinuinginthemodelAccuDraw_01,selectCopyElement(3+1)with
thefollowingtoolsetting:
Copies:1
2 IntheFrontview,identifytheblockrepresentingthefrontfaceatitslower
leftvertex.
Thefaceisattachedtothepointer.Asyoumovethepointerintheother
views,thefrontfaceelementretainsitscurrentorientation.
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Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDraw and Element Placement in 3D
3 IntheIsometricview,snaptothebackleftvertexofthebaseblockand
accepttocompletethecopy.
4 Reset.
5 IntheRightview,identifytheblockrepresentingtherightfaceatitslower
rightvertex.
6 IntheIsometricview,snaptothebackleftvertexofthebaseblockand
accepttocompletethecopy.
7 Reset.
8 ClicktheViewDisplayModeviewcontrolintheIsometricviewsview
controltoolboxandchangethedisplaymodetoHiddenLine.
9 SelectRotateView(4+6).
10 RotatetheIsometricviewandmakesurethatyouhavecorrectlydrawnall
thesurfacesfortheopenbox.
Placingelementsin3Disnomoredifficultthanin2D.Inthisexercise,youused
MicroStationsviewstohelpyoucorrectlyorienttheelements.Ofthefourviews,
theIsometricviewdisplaysthemodelbest.Youcanseethethreefacesclearly.
Inthefollowingexercises,youwillworkintheIsometricviewandletAccuDraw
helpyoualigntheelementscorrectly.
May-09 49 AccuDraw and 3D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
AccuDrawand3DShortcuts
AccuDrawand3DShortcuts
SeveralShortcutsaremeantfor3Dmodelsonly.Letsreviewafewofthem:
V=ViewRotation
RotatesthecompasstotheViewaxes.
T=TopRotation
AlignthecompasswiththeaxesinastandardTop/Bottomview.
F=FrontRotation
AlignthecompasswiththeaxesinastandardFront/Backview.
S=SideRotation
AlignthecompasswiththeaxesinastandardLeft/Rightview.
B=BaseRotation
RotatesthedrawingplanetoalignwiththeactiveACS,ortoarotationofthe
view.
E=CycleRotation
Rotatesbetweenthreemainplanes:top,front,andside.<E>alsoworkswhen
youroriginalplaneisanACSorcontextrotation,soyoudonothavetouseRX,RY
torotatetoa90planefromtheACSaxis.
Z=ToggleZlock
TogglesthelockingoftheZfield.
LP=LockACSPlaneandACSPlaneSnap
TogglesACSGridPlanelock,whichtogglestheACSPlaneandACSPlaneSnap
locks,andtheGridviewattributeforallviews.
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AccuDraw and 3D Shortcuts
LA=LockACSPlane
TogglesACSPlanelock.
LS=LockACSPlaneSnap
TogglesACSPlaneSnaplock.
LZ=StickyZLocktoggle
TogglesStickyZLock,whichcanbeusedinconjunctionwithACSPlaneSnapLock
toforceaseriesofsnappointstolieontheactiveACS'XYplane(Z=0)orcanbe
usedwithouttheACSplane.
RA=RotatetoACS
Usedtopermanentlyrotatethedrawingplane.Becauseitrotatesthecurrent
ACS,thisrotationwillstillbeactiveafterthetoolinuseisexited.Ifon,thetool
settingUseCurrentOrigincausesthedrawingplaneorigintobeusedasthexaxis
origin,therebyeliminatingtheneedtoenteranextradatapoint.Ofcourse,in
manycasesitisdesirabletobeabletodefinethexaxisoriginatadifferent
locationthanthedrawingplaneorigin.
GA=GetSavedACS
LetsyouselectasavedAuxiliaryCoordinateSystem.
WA=Write(Save)ACS
LetsyousavethedrawingplanealignmentasanACS.
RC=RotatetoCurrentACS
RotatesthedrawingplanetothecurrentACS.
RE=RotatetoElement
Rotatesthedrawingplanetomatchtheorientationofaselectedelement.
Asaquicktest,drawafewlinesatrandomangles,typeintheREshortcutand
touch(notclick)eachlineandobservethecompassrotatetobeparalleltothe
line.
May-09 51 AccuDraw and 3D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
UsingAccuDrawsRotatedDrawingPlanes
RV=RotatetoView
Rotatestheactiveviewtomatchthecurrentdrawingplane.
RX=RotatearoundXaxis
Rotatesthedrawingplane90aboutitsxaxis.
RY=RotatearoundYaxis
Rotatesthedrawingplane90aboutitsyaxis.
RZ=RotatearoundZaxis
Rotatesthedrawingplane90aboutitszaxis.
UsingAccuDrawsRotatedDrawingPlanes
NowyouwilllearnhowtouseAccuDrawandasingleviewtoplaceelements
alignedwithanyoftheorthogonalviews;Top,Front,Side.
Exercise:PlaceanelementintheTopvieworientation
1 OpenthemodelAccuDraw_02,inAccuDraw_3D.dgn.
Thismodelhasbeensavedwithfourviewsopenandarrangedsothatthe
Isometricviewislargerthantheothers.Thisviewwillbeusedfordrawing.
2 WithAccuDrawactive,selectPlaceBlock(W+1).
3 EnteradatapointatbottomcenteroftheIsometricview.
4 Movethepointerandchecktheotherviewstoseeiftheblockisatan
angle.
YouaredrawingitparalleltotheIsometricview,whichdoesnotalignwith
theorthogonalviews.
5 Press<T>tosetAccuDrawsdrawingplanetoaToporientation.
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Using AccuDraws Rotated Drawing Planes
NotethattheAccuDrawcompassrotatestoaTopvieworientationinthe
active,Isometric,view.
Theblocknowisalignedcorrectlyintheorthogonalviews.
6 IntheIsometricview,movethepointertotheright,indextothexaxisand
keyin3.
7 Movethepointertotheleftandkeyin2,followedbyadatapoint.
Theblockisplacedinthehorizontal(Top)plane.
8 Fiteachview.
YoucanplaceelementsintheFrontandSidealignmentsusingAccuDraws<F>
and<S>shortcuts.
Exercise:UsingAccuDrawsFrontandSiderotations
1 ContinuinginthemodelAccuDraw_02,selectPlaceBlock(W+1).
2 IntheIsometricview,snaptotherightmostvertexoftheexistingblock
andenteradatapoint.
3 Press<S>tochangeAccuDrawsdrawingplanetothesideorientation,
ThisisthesameastheLeftandRightorthogonalviews.
4 Withoutenteringadatapoint,snaptothevertexaboveandtotheleftof
thestartpoint.
May-09 53 AccuDraw and 3D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
OrthogonalDrawingPlaneRotation
5 Press<O>torelocateAccuDrawsorigintothispoint.
6 Movethepointerupward,indextotheyaxisandkeyin1.
7 Withthepointerstillindexedtotheyaxis,acceptwithadatapoint.
8 WiththePlaceBlocktoolstillactive,snaptotheupperrightvertexofthe
blockyoujustplaced.
9 Press<F>toswitchAccuDrawsdrawingplanetothefrontrotation.
10 Snaptothefrontleftvertexofthehorizontalbaseblockandacceptwitha
datapoint.
OrthogonalDrawingPlaneRotation
AccuDrawsdrawingplaneletsyouworkinanyview,whilestillmaintainingthe
correctplanefortheelementsthatyouaredrawing.Youcanstillsnapto
elementsthatarenotonthecurrentdrawingplaneandAccuDrawresponds
accordingly.
Whenyouworkin2D,AccuDrawsdrawingplaneaxeschangedependingonthe
activetoolandthelocationoftheprevioustwodatapoints.Similarly,asyoudraw
in3D,youmayobservethedrawingplaneaxeschangeasyouenterdatapoints.
AccuDraw and 3D Drafting 54 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Orthogonal Drawing Plane Rotation
Thealignmentofthedrawingplanedependsonthetoolyouareusingandthe
locationofthepreviousdatapoints.
In3Dmodelsthethreepreviousdatapointsareconsideredtobetheminimum
requirementtodescribeaplanarsurface.Iflessthanthreedatapointshavebeen
placedthevieworientationisalsoconsidered.
Thisbecomesclearinthenextexercise.Asyouwork,usetheotheropenviewsto
checktheorientationoftheelementthatyouaredrawing.
Exercise:AutomaticdrawingplanerotationinAccuDraw
1 Openthemodelaccudraw_03inAccuDraw_3D.dgn.
ThismodelhasbeensavedwithTop,Isometric,FrontandRightviews
open.
2 SelectthePlaceSmartLinetool(Q+1)withfollowingtoolsettings:
SegmentType:Lines
VertexType:Sharp
JoinElements:Enabled
3 Inthetoolsettings,clickthearrowatbottomrighttoopentheSmartLine
PlacementSettingsandensurethatRotateAccuDrawtoSegmentsis
enabled,thenclickOK.
4 Snaptothecenterofthecircleatlocation1andacceptwithadatapoint.
NotethatAccuDrawsdrawingplanecurrentlyalignswiththeview.
5 Snaptothecenterofthecircleatlocation2andacceptwithadatapoint.
AccuDrawusesthetwodatapointsplustheviewtosetthedrawingplane
orientation.Thisresultsinadrawingplanethatisnotinalignmentwith
anyofthestandardTop,FrontorSidedrawingplanes.
6 Snaptothecenterofthecircleatlocation3andacceptwithadatapoint.
AccuDrawsdrawingplanenowalignsitselfwiththeplaneofthethree
datapoints.Inthiscase,thepointsarealignedwiththeTopdrawingplane.
May-09 55 AccuDraw and 3D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
OrthogonalDrawingPlaneRotation
7 Continuesnappingtothecentersofthecirclesatlocations4and5,noting
thatforeachpointthedrawingplanealignswiththethreepreviously
placeddatapointsasfollows:
Point4:Side(frompoints2,3and4).
Point5:Front(points3,4,5).
8 Resettocomplete.
AstheSmartLineisdrawn,AccuDrawsdrawingplanechangesorientation
OthertoolsthatrelyonthevieworientationalsocanbeusedwithAccuDraw.For
example,thetoolsforMirror,RotateElementandArrayallusetheview
orientationtodefinethedirectionofthemirrorortheaxisofrotation.
Exercise:UsingAccuDrawtomirrorcopy
1 OpenthemodelAccuDraw_04inAccuDraw_3D.dgn.
ThismodelhasbeensavedwithalargeIsometricviewinwhichtowork
andsmallerTop,Front,andRightviewstousetocheckyourwork.
2 SelectMirror(3+5),withthefollowingsettings:
MirrorAbout:Vertical
MakeCopy:On
AllothersettingsOff.
3 Identifytheendchairatlocation1.
AccuDraw and 3D Drafting 56 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Orthogonal Drawing Plane Rotation
TheAccuDrawcompassindicatesthatitisinViewmode.Whenyoumove
thepointer,thechairismirroredaboutaverticallineintheIsometric
view.
4 Press<T>tosetAccuDrawtoTopviewrotation.
ThechairismirroredaboutaverticallineinToporientation.Youcansee
thisclearlyintheorthogonalviews.
5 Snaptothetablebaseatlocation2andacceptwithadatapoint.
6 Resettocompletetheoperation.
7 ChangetheMirrorAboutsettingtoHorizontal.
8 Identifythesidechairatlocation3.
9 Snaptothecenterofthetableedgeatlocation4andacceptwithadata
point.
10 Resettocomplete.
YoucanuseAccuDrawtodefinetheaxisofrotationwhenrotatingelements.
Exercise:UseAccuDrawtorotateelements
1 OpenthemodelAccuDraw_05inAccuDraw_3D.dgn.
2 SelectRotate(3+4),withthefollowingsettings:
Method:ActiveAngle90
Copies:Enabledandsetto3
Allotheroptions:Disabled
3 IntheIsometricview,identifythechairatlocation1.
May-09 57 AccuDraw and 3D Drafting
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TentativeSnapsandAccuDraw
4 Snaptothecenterofthetablebaseatlocation2andacceptwithadata
point.
5 Resettocompletetheoperation.
TentativeSnapsandAccuDraw
In2D,allelementsareonthesameplane.In3D,theelementsoftenareon
differentplanes.Sometimeswhenworkingin3Dyouwilllocateelementsrelative
toothersalreadypresentinthemodel.
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Tentative Snaps and AccuDraw
InthefollowingexerciseyouwillplaceaSmartLinetorepresentapavedareafora
buildingcomplex.
Exercise:Drawthepavedareaforthebuildingcomplex
1 OpenthemodelAccuDraw_06inAccuDraw_3D.dgn.
2 SelectPlaceSmartLine(Q+1)withfollowingtoolsettings:
SegmentType:Lines
VertexType:Rounded
RoundingRadius:1.5
JoinElements:Enabled
3 Press<T>toswitchtotheTopplane.
4 Movethepointerdowntotheleftand,withitindexedtotheXaxis,press
<Return>toconstrainthepointtothisaxis.Donotenteradatapoint.
5 Snaptothevertexatlocation2andacceptwithadatapoint.
Asyousnaptothevertex,adashedlinedisplaysbacktothepointyouare
placing,perpendiculartothexaxis.Thisiswhatyouwouldexpectin2D.
6 Withthepointerstillatlocation2,press<Return>toconstrainthenext
pointtotheYaxis.
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TentativeSnapsandAccuDraw
7 Snaptothevertexatlocation3.
Asyousnaptothevertex,adashedlinedisplaysfromthesnappoint,
vertically,downtotheplaneoftheelementthatyouaredrawingandthen
acrosstothepointthatyouareplacing.
8 Acceptwithadatapoint.
9 Positionthepointerandpress<Return>toconstrainthenextpointtothe
Yaxis.
10 Snaptothevertexatlocation4andacceptwithadatapoint.
11 ConstrainthenextpointtotheYaxis.
12 Snaptothevertexatlocation2andacceptwithadatapoint.
13 Resettocomplete.
AccuDraw and 3D Drafting 60 May-09
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Using Auxiliary Coordinate Tools
UsingAuxiliaryCoordinateTools
MicroStationprovidesspecifictoolsforcreating,modifying,importingand
selectingAuxiliaryCoordinateSystems.YoucanfindthetoolsbyselectingUtilities
>AuxiliaryCoordinates,orrightclickandturnonthetoolinthePrimaryTools
toolbox.
Anauxiliarycoordinatesystem(ACS)isacoordinatesystemwithanorientation,
and/oranorigin,differentfromthoseoftheDGNfilecoordinates(theGlobal
Origin).Althoughnotexclusivelya3Dconcept,anACSismostusefulin3D
modelingasadrawingaid.
ToolsareCreateanewACS,CopyACS,DeleteACS,ImportACS,DefineACS
(AlignedwithElement),DefineACS(ByPoints),DefineACS(AlignedwithView),
DefineACS(AlignedwithReference),RotateActiveACS,MoveACS,andSelect
ACS
ActiveDepthisnotused,becausethelocationofunsnappedpointsiscontrolled
bytheACSforaview.InsteadofDepthLock,youcanenableACSPlaneSnapto
forceunsnappedpointstofallontheplaneoftheACS.
LeftimageistopviewwithPlaneSnapLockenabledandrightimageisfrontviewofsameviewwindow
AuxiliaryCoordinatesdialogtoolfeatures
AnewACScanbecreatedusingtheCreateanewACStoolinthedialog.Notethat
Definetools(byPoints,ByReference,etc)automaticallycreateanewACS,soyou
donotneedtousethiscommandbeforeusingthose.
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UsingAuxiliaryCoordinateTools
AlistboxshowstheactiveACSonthetoplineandallACSsintheactivemodel.
AllACStools(abilitytocreate,copy,deleteorimportanACS)areavailablewithin
thedialog.
YoucanmakeanACSactivebydoubleclickingonACSnameinlistorrightclickon
ACSnameandselectSetActivefromoptionslist.
OtheroptionsincludeabilitytomatchthecoordinatesystemofselectedACSto
theactiveACSorglobalcoordinatesforthemodel,anddeletingorrenamingan
ACS.
ItispossibletolocktheGridPlanetotheactiveACS<LP>orF8functionkey.This
meansthattheAccuDrawdrawingplaneshortcutsforTop,FrontandSideare
relativetotheactiveACSratherthantheDefaultcoordinatesystem.
LeftclickontheTypeandchangeittoNone,Rectangular,Spherical,or
Cylindrical.
AccuDrawShortcutsforACS
LPLockACSGridPlaneTogglesACSGridPlanelock,whichtogglestheACS
PlaneandACSPlaneSnaplocks,andtheGridviewattributeforallviews.
LATogglestheACSPlanelock.
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Using Auxiliary Coordinate Tools
LSTogglestheACSPlanesnaplock.
LZTogglestheStickyZLock,whichisusedinconjunctionwithACSPlaneSnap
LocktoforceaseriesofsnappointstolieontheactiveACS'XYplane(Z=0).
Exercise:CreatinganddrawingonanewACS.
1 OpenthemodelAccuDraw_07inAccuDraw_3D.dgn
2 SelecttheACSByPointstoolfromtheAuxiliaryCoordinatesdialogwith
thefollowingtoolsetting:
Type:Rectangular
3 EnterthenewACSoriginatpoint1.
4 Definethexaxisbyplacingadatapointonpoint2.
5 Enteradatapointonpoint3toidentifytheyaxisdirection,andthenew
ACSwilldisplay.
6 TocreateanewACS,clicktheCreateanewACStoolinthedialogandtype
anameforthenewACS(CornerACS).
7 DoubleclickthenewnamedACS.ItwillbecometheActiveACSandwill
displayonthefirstlineorActiveACSlineofthedialog.
8 SelectPlaceBlock(W+1)withthefollowingsettings:
Method:Rotated
Area:Solid
FillType:None
Note:WhendrawingonarotatedAuxiliaryCoordinateSystemusethe
AccuDrawshortcut<LA>tolocktheACSPlane.
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UsingAuxiliaryCoordinateTools
9 Enterthebasepointoftheblockatthemidpointoftheedgebetween
points1and3.
10 Enterthesecondbasepointoftheblockatthemidpointoftheedge
betweenpoints1and2.AccuDrawwillautomaticallyrotateorthogonalto
CornerACS.
11 Movethepointeralongthegreenyaxisforadistanceof1.
Note:WhentheACSPlaneLockisenabledtheAccuDrawshortcuts<T,Fand
S>willrotatetheAccuDrawcompassrelativetotheACS.
Note:SelecttheActiveLockstooltoverifythattheACSPlaneLockandACS
PlaneSnapareenabled.
12 RenderusingtheSmoothorHiddenLineViewDisplayMode.
DefineanACSalignedwithareferencefile
Thefollowingimageshowsasimplereferenceattachedtothemodel.
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Using Auxiliary Coordinate Tools
TosettheACSsothatitisalignedwiththeACSoftheReference,usetheDefine
ACS(AlignedwithReference)tool.SelecttheReferenceandtheReferenceACS
becomestheactiveACS.
ACSinteractionwithAccuDraw
UsetheAccuDrawshortcut<LA>tolocktheactiveACSplane.Thiswillletyouuse
the<T>,<F>and<S>shortcutsrelativetotheactiveACS.
UsetheAccuDrawshortcut<LP>ordefaultfunctionkey<F8>toturnontheACS
Plane,ACSPlaneSnapandgridforallviews.Thefollowingimageshowsthe
resultsofusingthe<LP>or<F8>shortcut.
SeparateACSperView
AnewtoolintheACStoolboxletsyouassignAuxiliaryCoordinateSystemstoeach
view.YoucancreateanACSforaviewwiththeDefineACSbyViewtool.Youcan
maketheACSviewindependentbyturningonacheckbox.Whenaview
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UsingAuxiliaryCoordinateTools
independentACSisactive,andtheACStriadsettingisenabledfortheview,theX,
Yarrowsaredisplayedasdashedintheview.
ToretaintheperviewACSsettingforthenextsession,youmustselectFile>Save
Settings.
Farleftimageistopviewmiddle,frontviewandrightimageRightIsometricview
WhenamodelcreatedinanearlierversionisopenedandtheACSPlanelockis
notenabled,aviewindependentACSwithanoriginoftheviewcenteratactive
depthiscreated.Thisletsyoustartworkingwiththegeometrycreatedinthe
sameplaceasitwouldhavebeenintheearlierversion(attheActiveDepth).
YoumayalsorightclickonanACSintheACSdialogandselectSetActiveView.
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Using Auxiliary Coordinate Tools
Thisisanexampleof4viewswithadifferentactiveACSforeachview.
ProjectingPointsfromandACStoaPlane
YoucanuseacombinationofanACSandAccuDrawtoprojectpoints,intheACS
zdirection,fromtheACSplanetotheAccuDrawdrawingplane.Thistechnique
letsyou,forexample,tracetheboundaryofahouseontoaslopingroofline,as
explainedinthefollowingworkflow.
HowtoProjectPointsontoaRotatedPlane:
1.First,setupanACSsuchthattheZdirectionisthedesiredprojection.
2.PressF8tolockAccuDrawtotheACS.
3.Selecttheelementplacementtool,suchasPlaceSmartLine.
4.PressF11,tosetfocustoAccuDraw.
5.KeyintheAccuDrawshortcutRE.
6.Inthetoolsettings,set:
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UsingAuxiliaryCoordinateTools
UpdateCurrentACS:Off
MoveOrigin:On
7.SelecttheelementtowhichyouwantAccuDrawalignedandacceptwitha
datapoint.
8.Tocommencedrawingtheelement,snaptoanelementintheACSplane
andacceptwithadatapoint.ThepointisprojectedontotheAccuDraw
drawingplane.
9.AddmorepointsbysnappingtoelementsintheACSplanetoprojectthe
pointstotheAccuDrawdrawingplane.
TheobjectiveofthefollowingexerciseistocreatetheACSneededtodesignthe
archedcolumns.
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Using Auxiliary Coordinate Tools
Exercise:AccuDrawandAuxiliaryCoordinateChallengeExercise
1 OpenthemodelAccuDraw_08inAccuDraw_3D.dgn.
2 OpentheAuxiliaryCoordinatedialog.
3 SelecttheDefineACS(ByPoints)tool.
4 DefinetheXaxisoriginandsecondpointtodetermineXaxisdirection.
5 DefinetheYaxisdirection.
Note:OnlyoneACSwillbesufficienttocreateallthearchedcolumns.
Locatingelementsrelativetoothers
Therewillbeoccasionswhenyouwilllocateelementsrelativetoothersalready
presentinthemodel.
Inthefollowingexercise,youwillplaceaSmartLinetorepresentacenterlinefor
apipe.
Exercise:Drawthecenterline
1 ContinuinginAccuDraw_3D.dgn,openthemodelAccuDraw_09.
2 SettheViewDisplayModetoSmooth,withthefollowingtoolsettings:
DisplayEdges:Enabled
DisplayHiddenEdges:Enabled
3 MaketheDrawingtaskstheactivetasksintheTaskNavigationdialog.
4 SelectPlaceSmartLine(Q+1)withfollowingtoolsettings:
SegmentType:Lines
VertexType:Rounded
RoundingRadius:1.5
JoinElements:Enabled
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UsingAuxiliaryCoordinateTools
5 Intherotatedview,snaptothevertexatthepointlabeledStarthereand
acceptwithadatapoint.
6 Press<T>toswitchtotheTopplane.
7 Movethepointerdowntotheleftand,withitindexedtotheYaxis,press
<Enter>toconstrainthepointtothisaxis.Donotenteradatapoint.
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Using Auxiliary Coordinate Tools
8 Typeadistanceof35forY,andacceptwithadatapoint.
9 StayingintheTopplane,indextonegativeYandpressEnter.
10 Snaptothecenteroflower,opencylinderfaceandacceptwithadata
point.
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UsingAuxiliaryCoordinateTools
Asyousnaptothevertex,AccuDrawdisplaysadashedline,whichis
perpendiculartothexaxis,backtothepointbeingplaced.Thisletsyou
locatetheydistanceusinga3Dsnap.
11 Press<F>forFrontrotation.
12 Indextothenegativeyaxisandpress<Enter>toconstrainthenextpoint
totheyaxis.
13 Withthepointerstillsnappedtothelowercenteropencylinderface,
acceptwithadatapoint.
14 Press<T>forToprotation.
15 Indextothenegativeyaxisandlockbypressing<Y>.
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Using Auxiliary Coordinate Tools
16 Type30andacceptwithadatapoint.
17 Resettocomplete.
18 Rotatetoseetheotherside.
19 Repeatfortheother2directions.
20 SelectFile>Close.
May-09 73 AccuDraw and 3D Drafting
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
3DTipsandHints
3DTipsandHints
ChangeswhenplacingcellsandtextwithAccuDraw
InpreviousversionsofMicroStation,theAccuDrawcompasswasvisibleatitslast
location,whichenabledyoutoeasilyflipcellorientationpriortoplacement.This
wasdoneusingtheAccuDrawshortcutsT,F,SandE.NowAccuDrawadjustsfor
anyACSlockchanges,whichresultsinthecompassnolongerbeingatitsprevious
location.
Ifyouplaceacellin3D,youllnoticethatwhenthePlaceCelltoolisactivated,the
compassisnotatthecelloriginandthereforetheAccuDrawshortcutsdonotflip
thecellasexpected.
Toensurethattheelementiscorrectlyplaced,youneedtoexplicitlyenable/
positiontheAccuDrawcompassbeforethefirstdatapointisentered.Setthe
compassbypressingCtrl+tentative,F11+O,thespacebar+O,ortentative+O.
Inallcases,thecompasswillbeattheselectedlocationwhichletsyoutoflipthe
cell.
ThisbehaviorandworkflowistrueforthePlaceTexttool,aswell.
Move/PlaceelementsatthecorrectZelevation
InMicroStationyoucanexploittheXY=#,#,#syntaxforrelativecoordinatesto
moveorplaceelementsatthecorrectelevation.Forexample,thekeyin:
moveextended;e,dialogcmdbrowse;k,XY=#,#,
willactivatetheMoveElementtool,openthekeyinwindowandprepyoufor
keyinginthenewZvalue.Allyouneedtodoiskeyinthevalueandpressenter.
Similarly,youcanalsousethissyntaxwithAccuDraw'sDataPointKeyinwindow
that'sactivatedwiththePkeyin.Ofcourse,whenusingthismethod,youwould
notkeyinthexy=portion.
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3D Tips and Hints
May-09 75 Module Review Questions and Answers
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
ModuleReviewQuestionsand
Answers
Questions
1 HowdoyoudisplaytheAccuDrawshortcuts?
2 Giveanexampleofhowyoumightusethepopupcalculator.
3 Howdoyouturnoffcontextsensitivity?
4 Onwhichplaneareelementsplaced,bydefault,whenworkingina3D
file?
5 HowcanyoumovefocustotheAccuDrawwindow?
6 Whichviewrotationbestdisplaysamodel?
7 TrueorFalse:Whenyoucopyanelementin3D,itretainsitscurrent
orientation.
8 Whatistheminimumrequirementtodescribeaplanarsurface?
9 WhichAccuDrawshortcutisusedtoprojectpointsontoarotateplane?
10 Whatisanimportantthingtorememberwhenusingthe<O>shortcutto
settheAccuDraworigin?
11 Whatdoesthe<LP>shortcutdo?
Answers
1 BytypingShift+?.
2 WhileplacinganumberintheaccuDrawwindowyoucanadd,subtract,
multiplyordividebyanynumbertomodifytheentry.
3 IntheAccuDrawSettingsdialog,Operationstab,disabletheContext
Sensitivityoption.
4 Whenyouplaceelementsina3Dfile,bydefault,theyareplacedinthe
AccuDrawdrawingplane.
5 PressF11,orpressEscandthenthespacebar.
Module Review Questions and Answers 76 May-09
Copyright 2009 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
6 Isometric(orRightIso).
7 True.
8 For3Dmodels,the3previousdatapointsareconsidered,asthisisthe
minimumrequirementtodescribeaplanarsurface
9 The<RE>orRotateElementshortcut.
10 Snaptothedesiredlocation,butdonotaccept.
11 TogglestheACSGridPlanelock,whichtogglestheACSPlaneandACS
PlaneSnaplocks,andenablestheGridviewattributeforallviews.