Scaling Elements

Often it becomes necessary to change the size of an existing object or

a complete drawing. Use the Scale command to save hours of drafting
time. The Scale command enlarges or reduces the physical size of
selected objects around a defined reference point.

Command Sequence
a) Start the Scale command.
b) Set up the X and Y scales in the tool settings box
and choose whether or not to make a copy.
c) Data point to your object.
d) Data point to the origin point to scale about.
Notes
 The X and Y scales are set to a scale factor. For example, to double
the size of an object set X and Y to 2. To shrink the object to half
its size, set X and Y to 0.5.

 The lock beside the X and Y scale allows you to set the scale factor
the same for X and Y (locked) or different (unlocked). Data point
on the lock to change it.

 The 3 points method allows you to scale to specified points. It can

be proportional or not, according to whether you check the box.

Active Scale

When you change the X and Y scale factors in the tool settings box for
the Scale command, you are actually setting the Active Scale for the
entire design file. This also affects cells (symbols). It is a good idea
to always set the scale back to 1 before you leave the command.
 You can key-in AS=scale factor. For example, AS=1 will set the
scale factor to 1.
Rotating Elements

Design changes sometimes require modifying the placement angle of

an object. The Rotate command rotates an object around a defined
pivot point. For instance, in an interior layout, a particular piece of
furniture may have to be rotated.
Command Sequence
a) Start the Rotate command.
b) Set up the Active Angle in the tool settings box,
and choose whether or not to make a copy.
c) Select the object.
d) Select the origin point to rotate about.

Active Angle

When you change the scale in the tool settings box for the rotate
command, you are actually setting the Active Angle. This also affects
cells (symbols). Text, the Place Line command, and arrays. It is a
good idea to always set the angle back to 0 before you leave the
command.
 You can key-in AA=angle. For example, AA=0 will set the active
angle to 0.

Note

 The other two methods allow you to pick points in the drawing to
specify the angle.

Two points After you identify the element, you pick a

pivot point to rotate about. Then you
pick a second point that spins the
element.

Three points After you identify the element you pick a

pivot point to rotate about. Then you
 pick two points that define the angle for
the rotation.

Mirroring elements

At times, it is advantageous to draw an object in a reflected position.

Consider the time saved by constructing only one half of a symmetrical
building façade or machine part, and then automatically duplicating
the other half.

The Mirror command makes reversed or symmetrical copies of objects

across a vertical, horizontal, or user-specified mirror line.
Command Sequence

a) Start the Mirror command.

b) Choose the Mirror About type, and whether or not
to make a copy.
c) Select the object.
d) If you choose horizontal or Vertical, an image of
the object will appear at the appropriate location.
Move your cursor up or down (for Horizontal) and
right or left (for Vertical) and data point to specify
how far from the original to position the mirrored
copy.
e) If you choose the Line option, you will be asked
for two points, which will define the angle about
which you are going to mirror the object.
f) Reset to end.

Note

 If the Mirror Text option is checked in the tool settings box, text will
be mirrored like any other object. If this option is not checked, text
will automatically turn around so it can be read.
Arraying Elements

In many designs, objects are placed in a rectangular or circular

pattern. For example, light fixtures in a ceiling grid, fasteners along a
connecting edge, utility poles along a right-of-way, and desks in an
office layout are duplicate objects arranged in a constant pattern of
rows and columns.

The Construct Array command generates copies of selected objects at

fixed intervals. There are two types of arrays: Rectangular and Polar.

 Rectangular array is set up in rows (the Y direction) and columns

(the X direction). The user also specifies how many copies to make
in each direction.

 Polar array copies an item a specified number of times at a set

angle around a central pivot point.

Command Options

Rectangular

Active Angle The angle for the array of objects. This is the
same as the Active Angle for the Rotate
Element command.
Rows The number of rows that will be made.

Columns The number of columns that will be made.

Row Spacing The vertical distance from origin to origin of

the row elements.

Column Spacing The horizontal distance from origin to origin

of the column elements.

Polar

Items The number of items in the polar array.

Delta Angle The angle from origin to origin of the items.

This is not the Active Angle.

Rotate Items Allows you to rotate or not rotate the items as

they are arrayed.

Command Sequence

Rectangular

a) Start the Construct Array command.

b) Set up the tool settings as needed.
c) Data point on the element to array.
d) Accept.
Polar

a) Start the Construct Array command.

b) Set up the tool settings as needed.
c) Data point on the element to array.
d) Data point to the center of the array. This works
as the accept. You may need to use a tentative
point snap to specify a precise center for the
array.

Notes
 When specifying the number of copies to array, the original object
is counted as one.
 To create a rectangular array to the left and down from the original
object, use negative numbers for the column and row spacing.

Creating Parallel Copies

Occasionally it is necessary to construct an element parallel or

concentric to another element. Examples include the floor plan of a
building, a gasket used on a pipe flange, and a triple line border on a
title block. Rather than draw each line separately. MicroStation allows
the user to create parallel shapes with a single editing command, Move
Parallel.

Command Sequence
a) Start the Move Parallel command.
b) Set up the Distance and Make Copy choice in the
tool settings box.
c) Select the element to copy or move parallel.
 d) Select the side of the element where you want to
copy or move the element.
e) Reset to end the command.

Command Options

Distance The parallel distance the object will be moved

or copied.

Make Copy Allows you to choose to copy the element you

are moving parallel.

Note

 The Move Parallel command works with lines, circles, arcs, curves,
shapes, blocks and Smart Lines.

Using Fences
So far we have been using commands to manipulate a single element.
Most of the time, however, you will want to move or copy more than
one item. This is where fences come in.

 A fence is a temporary boundary surrounding elements in your

drawing that groups those elements to act as one item.

Once you have a fence in your drawing, you will be able to pick the
Use Fence button in the tool settings box for most of the manipulation
commands we just learned.

 Fences do not work with Move Parallel.

Fence Types

Fences come in several shapes and can be created by several

methods.

Block Created in the same manner as the Place Block

command by picking two opposing corners. It is one
of the quickest ways to place a fence.

Shape Created in the same manner as the Place Shape

command by picking the vertices and closing the
shape on itself. This method can take more time to
create than it is worth.

Circle Created in the same manner as the Place Circle by

Center command. It is a quick way to place a fence.

Element Allows you to use an existing closed object in your

drawing as the outline of the fence. Identify the
element and accept; the fence will be placed over
the element. The element is still present under the
fence, though you may need to update the view after
removing the fence to see it.

From View Creates a fence at the edge of the view window so

that everything totally in the window is selected.
Select the window by picking anywhere in it.
From Design File Creates a fence around everything in the design file.
It is the quickest way to select everything in your
drawing.

Fence Modes

Besides the different methods of creating fences, you can also choose
how the fence will act with the surrounding elements. These are called
Fence Modes. You can change them in the Place Fence tool settings or
in any tool settings where you have checked Use Fence.

Inside Selects everything totally inside the fence.

Overlap Selects everything totally inside or touching

the fence.

Clip Selects everything totally inside or touching

the fence, and clips off the
elements at the fence line. Often used with Copy
and Scale. For example, you may want to put a
detail in another part of your design file. You can
fence the area, use Copy with the clipmode, and
copy the objects to another part of the design. Then
you would scale the detail up as needed.

Void Selects everything except what is inside the fence.

Void-Overlap Selects everything except what is inside the fence
and touching the fence.

Void-Clip Selects everything except what is inside the fence

and touching the fence, and clips it off at the fence
line.

Special Fence Commands

Along with the basic Fence command, MicroStation provides several

other commands to help you work with fences.

Modify Fence

The Modify Fence command allows you to change the shape of a fence
that is already in the design file. You can modify either the vertex or
the position. The position allows you to move the fence in its original
shape and size. Modifying the vertex allows you to change the actual
shape of the fence. You can even add vertices to the fence circles.

 Think about the quickest way to create a fence. Sometimes it will

be faster to modify an existing fence, especially a fence shape.
Other times it will be faster to create a new fence rather than
modifying an existing one.

Delete Fence Contents

Sometimes you forget that you have a fence in your design file. That
is why MicroStation has a separate command to delete the contents of
a fence. You have to make an effort to delete items surrounded by a
fence. Just add a fence to the drawing around the items you need to
be deleted, pick this command, and data point on the screen.

Manipulate Fence Contents

Instead of creating a fence and then going to the Manipulate toolbar,

MicroStation allows you to get to the primary manipulation commands
right from the Fence toolbar. These commands are Copy, Move,
Rotate, Scale, Mirror, and Stretch.

Fence Stretch is the only tool we have not dealt with yet. It must be
used with a fence. This command allows parts of objects to be moved
leaving other parts stationary.

For example, in architectural design, room sizes may be stretched to

increase the square footage. In mechanical drafting is may be
necessary to stretch the length of a part of the drawing while leaving
the width constant.

Command Sequence
 a) Place a fence around the items you want to
stretch.
b) Start the Manipulate Fence Contents command
and choose the Stretch operation.
c) Data point in your design file.
d) Define a distance.

Notes
 The distance can be to a tentative point snap, but you will have to
start with a tentative point snap as your data point in the design
file.

 You can also define the distance with any of the key-in commands
or AccuDraw. You do not need to have a specific data point to use
these.

 You can use Stretch Fence Contents to either extend or shorten

items.

Using the Element Selection Tool

While Fences are the customary way to select multiple objects for
editing, MicroStation also has an Element Selection tool that allows
you to pick any number of elements to edit even if they are not side by
side in a fence.

For example, you may want to change the attributes of several items
in your design file from one color to another. The problem is that they
are spread out through out the file. You could select and change them
one by one or create a very elaborate fence shape - or you could use
the Element Selection tool.

 When you pick an object with the Element Selection tool, dots or
handles will appear at specific geometric points on the element.
 To pick more than one element at a time, you must either hold
down the <ctrl> key as you pick or press the data button out in
space and hold it down while you move the point to form a
rectangle. Everything inside the rectangle will be selected.

 You can also make the rectangle act in the overlap mode by holding
down the <shift> key.

 You can use a combination of methods as long as you hold down

the <ctrl> key to add more elements to the group.

 To deselect an element, pick on it again. Remember to hold down

the <ctrl> key if you have other elements already selected.

 A quick way to select everything in your design file with the

Element Selection tool is to use the Edit>Select All command from
the pull-down menu.
Modifying Elements Using Element Selection

Not only does the Element Selection tool group elements together
temporarily, but it will also allow you to modify the shape of individual
elements.

To modify an element:

1. Center the circle on the end of the pointer over one of the dots
created when you select an element.
2. Hold down the Data button.
3. Drag the vertex to a new location.

Be especially careful with circles. If you pick one of the four

1corners you will change the size of the entire circle. If you pick
one of the dots that are actually touching the circle you will change
the circle to an ellipse. A circle is defined in MicroStation as an
ellipse with equal axes.