Integrating MicroStation & AutoCAD in the Workplace Greg Wallace MW1BP519

MicroStation and AutoCAD Why cant we all just get along? NOW WE CAN !

Integration-Know the CAD file formats Reference (XREF) Methods Text Styles – Attributed Text Line Styles – What works and what doesn’t Clip Mask Plot 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 Workmode AutoCAD Color Table AutoCAD Line Styles AutoCAD Text Styles AutoCAD Plot Styles Deliver DGN Using DWG Attachments Start with DGN Edit DGN

CAD Workflow – Deliver DWG V8 DGN Workmode AutoCAD Color Table AutoCAD Line Styles AutoCAD Text Styles AutoCAD Plot Styles Start with DGN Edit DGN Using DGN Or DWG Attachments Convert and Deliver DWG with complete Reference structure In place. No mapping of DGN resources required when using AutoCAD resources.

CAD Workflow – Deliver DWG V8 DWG Workmode AutoCAD Color Table AutoCAD Line Styles AutoCAD Text Styles AutoCAD Plot Styles Start with DWG Edit DWG Using DWG Attachments 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 Flow StartEditDeliver 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 MicroStation AutoCAD

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 Aband A,.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 Aband A,.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 file File A Master XREF Attachment PaperSpace ModelSpace File B Sub XREF Attachment File C Sub XREF Attachment File C1 Sub XREF Attachment File D Sub XREF Attachment File D1 Sub XREF Overlay File D1 Cut off at XREF D XREF Structure - AutoCAD

File A Master REF Live Nesting File B Sub REF Live Nesting File C Sub REF Live Nesting File D1 Sub REF Live Nesting File D Sub REF Live Nesting Client limit of 1-Sheet File per Drawing Sheet Model Sheet File Sheet Model Sheet File AutoCAD limit of 1- Sheet Model per file Ignore when Live Nesting Switch turned ON File C1 Sub REF Live Nesting File C1 Cut off at REF C MicroStation V8 to AutoCAD Reference 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 AutoCAD Reference File Rules Model A Nest Depth 0 Model E Model B Nest Depth 1 Model C Nest Depth 2Nest 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 AutoCAD Reference 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 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 AutoCAD DGN 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 DWG WorkMode MicroStation V8 DWG Referencing DWG

Integrating MicroStation & AutoCAD in the Workplace Total Flexibility Total Compatibility Enhanced capability with MicroStation XM Greg Wallace CAD Manager – Bechtel Infrastructure