Are you already familiar with MicroStation and know all its areas and functions? This powerful CAD software has more to offer than you think. The following article presents some helpful tips and tricks for using MicroStation.
Use these secrets to create precise drawings, save time and increase your productivity. Let’s get started – let’s take your MicroStation skills to the next level!
These MicroStation tips and tricks will help you
- Creating and using element templates
- Using keyboard shortcuts
- Customizing command bars and quick access
- Automating workflows with macros and scripts
- Levels, layers & views for more structure and overview
- SmartLine tools for precise and efficient drawings
- Integrating external references
- Using interoperability functions to exchange data without errors
- Functions for adapting and optimizing raster files
- Save projects regularly and create backups
Creating and using element templates
Using element templates you save time and simplify your work processes significantly. They are easy to create and are used, for example, for drawing surface objects. Here you specify all properties such as fill type or pattern.
Another advantage is that the predefined properties ensure that designs and drawings in future projects comply with company standards. This means that you work consistently throughout. You also reduce errors.
Using keyboard shortcuts
Projects and work steps often use frequently used functions. For such functions and work steps, it is helpful to find and memorize the corresponding keyboard shortcuts – if available.
This primarily saves you time. At the same time, you increase your work speed and have more focus on the respective work step. With a little practice and repetition, moving, drawing or zooming using keyboard shortcuts will soon become routine.
Customize command bars and quick accesses
The command bars and quick accesses with the tools and functions they contain can be customized. Store frequently used items in it.
They are then available with just one click. This saves you time and optimizes your workflows.
Automate workflows with macros and scripts
Using macros and scripts, you can automate frequently recurring tasks. This optimizes your workflows – which saves time and increases your productivity.
MicroStation supports various scripting languages:
- MicroStation BASIC
- MDL (MicroStation Development Language)
- .NET programming
- VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)
Levels, layers & views for more structure and overview
Using levels, layers and views, you can organize your projects more effectively and ensure more structure and overview. This means that even complex models can be designed clearly.
In addition, certain areas of a model, such as drawings, are easier to edit. This helps you keep track of large designs and drawings in particular.
SmartLine tools for precise and efficient drawings
If you draw elements such as arcs, lines or curves, you can choose from SmartLine tools. These are intelligent tools that support you with your drawings.
Your advantage: Thanks to SmartLine, drawings are much more precise and efficient. Less working time is required because you completely avoid various manual adjustments.
Integrate external references
Incorporate external reference files into your drawings if necessary. This is particularly useful and advantageous for large projects, as changes to the reference files do not affect the main drawing.
Reference modeling supports work on complex projects. But collaboration within a team is also made easier and more effective.
Functions for adjusting and optimizing raster files
Do you use raster graphics in your projects? Then you should use the functions included in MicroStation for adjusting and optimizing raster files.
This enables you to make changes to transparency, brightness and contrast, among other things. But raster graphics and vector drawings can also be overlaid to align elements precisely.
Save projects regularly and create backups
To avoid data loss while working, it is recommended that you save projects regularly. MicroStation even includes a function that automatically saves drawing changes and files when you exit:
- Click on “Workspace” and “Preferences”.
- Then click on “Operation” in the left category overview.
- Now activate the two options “Save settings when exiting” and “Automatically save drawing changes” by checking each box.
- Finally, click on “OK” to accept the changes and close the window.
We also recommend creating backups regularly. In the event of a system failure or accidental deletion, all data can be restored.
In addition to our MicroStation tips and tricks: In-house software introductions and training courses
You and your team want to learn how to use MicroStation from scratch and master the software professionally? In addition to our tips and tricks, we offer in-house software introductions and training courses.
This includes basic training courses and practical advanced seminars, as well as individualized or practical training courses. Talk to us!
