Integrating MicroStation & AutoCAD in the WorkplaceGreg Wallace

MW1BP519

MicroStation and AutoCAD

Why cant we all just get along?

NOW WE CAN !

Integration-Know the CAD file formats

Reference (XREF) MethodsText Styles – Attributed TextLine Styles – What works and what doesn’tClip MaskPlot Styles

Integration - Know the Client Standards

Version Layer Symbology Structure Line Styles Text Styles Dimension Styles Plot Styles Sheet Borders & Attributed Text

Identify the Work Process

Two Methods can be used

1. Work in MicroStation the traditional way, with MicroStation resources and use Mapping Files• Not 100% interoperable or compatible

2. Work in MicroStation with AutoCAD resources - without Mapping Files• 100% interoperable and compatible

CAD Workflow – Deliver DGN

V8 DGN WorkmodeAutoCAD Color TableAutoCAD Line StylesAutoCAD Text StylesAutoCAD Plot Styles

Deliver DGNUsing DWGAttachments

Start with DGN Edit DGN

CAD Workflow – Deliver DWG

V8 DGN WorkmodeAutoCAD Color TableAutoCAD Line StylesAutoCAD Text StylesAutoCAD Plot Styles

Start with DGN Edit DGNUsing DGN

Or DWGAttachments

Convert and DeliverDWG with completeReference structureIn place. No mapping of DGN resources required when usingAutoCAD resources.

CAD Workflow – Deliver DWG

V8 DWG WorkmodeAutoCAD Color TableAutoCAD Line StylesAutoCAD Text StylesAutoCAD Plot Styles

Start with DWG Edit DWGUsing DWGAttachments

Deliver DWG

DWG WorkMode explained•Detects version of DWG when opened•Restricts some MicroStation functionality to assure compatibility with AutoCAD•Ignores Proxy elements not created by DWG or DGN•Supports the paperspace (plot space) layout

CAD Workflow -AutoCAD

Start with DWG Edit DWG Deliver DWG

Using AutoCAD

Know the Work FlowStart Edit Deliver

Start with DGN, Edit DGN, Deliver DWG. Using V8 DGN WorkMode

Start with DWG, Edit DWG, Deliver DWG. Using V8 DWG WorkMode

Start with DGN, Edit DGN, Deliver DGN. Using DWG Attachments

Start with DWG, Edit DWG, Deliver DWG. Using AutoCAD

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Line Styles

Only custom line styles are allowed in the DWG Workmode

AutoCAD doesn’t recognize MicroStation Line Styles 1-7.

AutoCAD may not recognize MicroStation Line Styles from a MicroStation .RSC file

Line Styles – Build in Line Definition File

*FUEL_EX_ABDD,Fuel Ex AbandA,.25,[EX_ABDD,DTE.shx,s=1],.375,-.125,["FUEL",Standard,x=-.02,y=-.05,s=.1],-.45,.25,[EX_ABDD,DTE.shx,s=1],.375,-.125

*FUEL_EX_TB_ABDD,Fuel Ex to be AbandA,.25,[EX_TB_ABDD,DTE.shx,s=1],.375,-.125,["FUEL",Standard,x=-.02,y=-.05,s=.1],-.45,.25,[EX_TB_ABDD,DTE.shx,s=1],.375,-.125

Client limit of 1-Sheet File per Drawing

AutoCAD limit of 1-Sheet Model per fileFile A

Master XREFAttachment

PaperSpacePaperSpacePaperSpace

ModelSpace

File BSub XREF

Attachment

File CSub XREF

Attachment

File C1Sub XREF

Attachment

File DSub XREF

Attachment

File D1Sub XREFOverlay

File D1 Cut off at XREF D

XREF Structure - AutoCAD

File AMaster REFLive Nesting

File BSub REF

Live Nesting

File CSub REF

Live Nesting

File D1Sub REF

Live Nesting

File DSub REF

Live Nesting

Client limit of 1-Sheet File per DrawingSheet ModelSheet Model

Sheet File

Sheet Model

Sheet File Sheet File

AutoCAD limit of 1-Sheet Model per file

Ignore when Live Nesting Switch turned ON

File C1Sub REF

Live NestingFile C1 Cut off at REF C

MicroStation V8 to AutoCADReference File Rules

Sheet File

Sheet Model

Ignore Attachment when Live Nesting Switch used to emulate AutoCAD Overlay method by restricting forward direction

All files attached with a Live Nesting depth set to 99

LIVE NESTING

MicroStation V8 to AutoCADReference File Rules

Model A

Nest Depth 0

Model E

Model B

Nest Depth 1

Model C

Nest Depth 2 Nest Depth 4Nest Depth 3

Model D

All files attached with Nest Depth set to 99

Default Model B(can also be any model)

Sheet Model A(can also be any model)

Default Model C(can also be any model)

Default Model D(can also be any model)

Direct Attachment Nest Depth 2

Direct Attachment Nest Depth 1

Direct Attachment Nest Depth 0

MicroStation V8 to AutoCADReference File Rules

Sheet File

Sheet Model

Only Master Reference file display and level display can be controlled through Level Manager in the Sheet Model

Using a Master Ref with Sub Ref attachments allows maximum control of files without having to enter each file interactively to make changes

Master Ref

Sub Ref

Sub Ref

Sub Ref

All file displays, level settings and clip boundaries of Sub Refs are controlled by settings in Master Ref

Reference File Rules - Controlling the Display

No Nesting – makes the attachments a Direct Attachment (nest depth=0) (not used at DTE)

Live Nesting – enables the live nesting functionality and allows you to set a Nesting Depth (99)

Copy Attachment

MicroStation to AutoCADDGN Referencing DGN or DWG

Attachment Level shall be set to Default for all Layers to Reference into Model as created

Live Nesting is only option allowed to emulate AutoCAD Attachment method

Ignore Attachment switch emulates AutoCAD Overlay method

DWGWorkMode

MicroStation V8DWG Referencing DWG

Integrating MicroStation & AutoCAD in the Workplace

Total FlexibilityTotal CompatibilityEnhanced capability with MicroStation XM

Greg WallaceCAD Manager – Bechtel Infrastructure