Attributes and Tags

AutoCAD Block Attributes (ATTDEF command)

In MicroStation, tags are used to assign labels to drawing entities. These non-graphical annotation objects can then be used to generate various reports in comma-delimited, ASCII tables. Tags can be placed independently, associated with an element, or incorporated into a cell. To use tags, you must first define a tag set, then the tag.

If tags are used in drawings that will be converted to DWG format, or if they are assigned in DWG workmode, they must be incorporated into shared cells. To do this, first create the shared cell, then use the Attach Tags tool to attach the tag to the existing cell. In standard MicroStation, tags can be incorporated into shared or normal cells by simply selecting them with the other elements before creating the cell.

MicroStation users also frequently use Enter Data Fields for variable text placeholders. These fields are defined by using a designated character (generally the underscore, as defined in the Text preferences when entering new text in the text editor. With this technique, both constant and variable text can be included in the same text element. For example, an enter data field might appear as "Part Number_ _ _ - _ _ ".

Once the enter data field is created, use either the Fill in Single Enter Data Field or Automatic Fill-In Enter Data Fields tool to fill in the enter data field(s) in the text element.

For more information, see Tags.

Dimensioning

AutoCAD DimLinear, Dimradius, DimStyle etc. Commands

Fonts

The active font is determined by the current text style, and several different text styles can be defined within a design file. All available fonts of the three types listed above are displayed in the Text Styles dialog. The active Text Style applies to placed text, annotations, tags, and other element types that use text.

Layouts and Sheet Models

AutoCAD Paper Space Layouts

In MicroStation, sheet models are used for storing drawing layouts. To begin the process of documenting a design, you first create a new sheet model.

Next, to create a layout within the sheet model, you attach referenced views of the main model showing the desired viewpoints and data (use the References tool in the Primary ribbon group). These views are often self-references, which means that the current file is referenced into itself. Note that when self-referencing a model in the current file, the first open view is displayed. Layout drawing views can also come from any other design file containing pertinent information.

Plot Style Tables and Pen Tables

AutoCAD *.ctb and *.stb Plot Style Tables

Open the Print dialog (File > Print > Print) to make pen assignments using pen tables. Tables can be imported, created, attached, and modified through the Resymbolization menu.

Rendering

AutoCAD RENDER Command

In MicroStation, rendering tools and settings are available in the Visualization workflow. The rendering tools include lights, cameras, and materials. To render 3D images, select the render tool, then the view, fence, or element to which the rendering is to be applied. The render mode is analogous to the modes found in the Set View Display Mode view control.

The Apply Material tool provides two methods for assigning materials to a solid. The Assign Color/Level method assigns a material to the color and level of the selected solid. All other solids that match the color and level settings will be assigned the same material. The Attach Attribute method applies materials to individual solids.

Also in the Apply Material dialog, double-clicking on the preview sphere for a material opens the Material Editor dialog, where you can set ambient lighting defaults and many other material-based attributes. The mode setting is used for modifying or removing assigned materials.