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All Tips & Tricks

Easily Move the Pivot Point in the Rotate Dynamic View Easily Move the Pivot Point in the Rotate Dynamic View
By the Envision Group Learn how the rotate dynamic view has been enhanced and now the pivot point is displayed in the view and can be easily moved.
Web Server Portion of ProjectWise has Changed Web Server Portion of ProjectWise has Changed
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group When deploying the ProjectWise V8i Web Server, you have the option of deploying the web server to a SharePoint or non-SharePoint virtual server.
Find Out What More You Can Do with Cells Find Out What More You Can Do with Cells
By Edwin Prakoso, CAD Notes Blog A tip on how you can also use cells to place point, terminator, or as pattern.
Tip on a New Feature in ProjectWise V8i Tip on a New Feature in ProjectWise V8i
By Kevin Livelsberger, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Learn about the new feature in ProjectWise V8i, called Cancellable Searches, or Cancellable Queries.
Learn About the Along Path Option Learn About the Along Path Option
By the Envision Group A tip on how in the newer releases of MicroStation an option was added to the Construct Array tool.
No More Need to Draw the Same Object Repeatedly No More Need to Draw the Same Object Repeatedly
By Edwin Prakoso, CAD Notes Blog Learn how to define and save the objects in a cell library.
Overview of ProjectWise V8i Search Toolbar Overview of ProjectWise V8i Search Toolbar
By Kevin Livelsberger, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group This new search features works in the same manner that you would expect as in various web searching tools and is referred to as a “Quick Search”.
A Tip on the i-model Features A Tip on the i-model Features
Take a look at the “Publish i-model” dialog inside MicroStation and the features offered.
Replacing and Modifying MicroStation Cell Replacing and Modifying MicroStation Cell
By Edwin Prakoso, CAD Notes Blog After you’ve been working with MicroStation cell for a while, I’m sure you will be wondering how to modify the cell on your drawing.
A Tip on Reference Orientation A Tip on Reference Orientation
By the Envision Group Learn about the ability for an existing attachment to have its attachment method changed without having to detach and then reattach the reference.
Tip on New Logging Activities Feature in ProjectWise V8i Tip on New Logging Activities Feature in ProjectWise V8i
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group's VP of Technology Read about the ability to log user account activities in the ProjectWise audit trail.
Replace Reference File Paths in All Sheet Files at One Time Replace Reference File Paths in All Sheet Files at One Time
By Rick Sewell, Axiom Learn how to replace the reference file path saved in your sheet files — while retaining all of your varying reference file names — in just minutes.
Tip on the ACS Plane Snap Tip on the ACS Plane Snap
By The Envision Group Learn about how the new ACS Plane Snap has replaced the Depth Lock.
Tip on Web Server Options in ProjectWise V8i Tip on Web Server Options in ProjectWise V8i
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group's VP of Technology Learn about how the options available to you for the Web Server portion of ProjectWise have changed when installing ProjectWise V8i.
Open, Import, or Attach Shapefiles without Bentley Map Open, Import, or Attach Shapefiles without Bentley Map
By The Envision Group In MicroStation V8i Select Series 1 the ability open ArcView Shapefiles and MapInfo files has been included without the need for Bentley Map.
Learn About the Task Navigation Interface Learn About the Task Navigation Interface
By Drew Moon, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Applications Engineer The steps outlined in this tip will show you how to switch to the Task Navigation interface used by MicroStation XM.
Trim Tools Updated in V8i SELECTSeries 1 Trim Tools Updated in V8i SELECTSeries 1
By The Envision Group In MicroStation V8i Select Series 1 the trim tools as you know them have been renamed and enhanced to become more productive.
Learn More About the New Managed Workspace Tools Learn More About the New Managed Workspace Tools
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group's VP of Technology This tip is the second in a 2-part series highlighting the new features of ProjectWise V8i Managed Workspaces.
New Features of ProjectWise V8i Managed Workspaces New Features of ProjectWise V8i Managed Workspaces
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group's VP of Technology Read part 1 of a 2 part series on how the interface for creating and editing Managed Workspace Configuration blocks has been updated.
Learn About the ABCs of a Managed Workspace Learn About the ABCs of a Managed Workspace
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group's VP of technology Chris Pausch describes the basics of Managed Workspace settings within ProjectWise V8i.
Learn About How the Overlap and Inside Mode Works Learn About How the Overlap and Inside Mode Works
By The Envision Group In the V8i release of MicroStation, the Element Selection overlap and inside mode works the same as other CAD packages.
Extract File Properties from Microsoft Office Files Extract File Properties from Microsoft Office Files
By Drew Moon, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Applications Engineer Learn the details of extracting file properties from Microsoft Office Files within ProjectWise V8i.
Learn About Opening Applications From Key-in Browser Learn About Opening Applications From Key-in Browser
By The Envision Group Adding application command line switches with some MicroStation variables can have an added benefit when calling the Window Explorer application.
Update ProjectWise Attributes in Bulk Update ProjectWise Attributes in Bulk
By Kevin Fern, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group President Update the MicroStation tag data attributes into ProjectWise using the Bulk Attribute update tool within ProjectWise v8i.
Drag and Drop an Element to the Attributes Toolbox Drag and Drop an Element to the Attributes Toolbox
By The Envision Group Learn how to drag and drop an element from the design file to the Attributes toolbox to quickly change the current attributes.
Convert Tags to Text and Back to Tags in V8 Convert Tags to Text and Back to Tags in V8
By Kim Langman, PBS&J If you have a third party software that doesn't understand tags, or if you just want to edit tags like text, here is the trick.
How to Find Additional Selection Criteria How to Find Additional Selection Criteria
By The Envision Group In a new tip from the Envision Group readers learn how to expand the element selection criteria of the dialog to display additional categories.
ProjectWise/MicroStation Reference File Settings ProjectWise/MicroStation Reference File Settings
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Vice President Chris Pausch discusses how updates to reference files are handled by MicroStation.
Pentable Level Wild Cards Pentable Level Wild Cards
By The Envision Group In a continuing series of tips from the Envision Group readers learn how to use level wildcards to resymbolize elements.
Configuring the ProjectWise XM Design Compare Utility Configuring the ProjectWise XM Design Compare Utility
By Drew Moon, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Drew Moon explains how users can configure their ProjectWise XM Design Utility.
Open Different Models in Each View Open Different Models in Each View
By The Envision Group In a new series of tips from the Envision Group readers learn how to open different models from a single design file, in MicroStation V8i.
ProjectWise Managed Workspaces Part V ProjectWise Managed Workspaces Part V
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group In Part V of Managed Workspaces, Chris Pausch shows you how to assign the workspace profile you have created to folders in ProjectWise
ProjectWise Managed Workspaces – Part IV ProjectWise Managed Workspaces – Part IV
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Chris Pausch continues with the Managed Worspaces Series. Learn how to add variables to configuration blocks in ProjectWise.
ProjectWise Managed Workspaces – Part III ProjectWise Managed Workspaces – Part III
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group In this month’s article on Managed Workspaces, Chris Pausch discuss the role of Configuration Blocks in a ProjectWise Managed Workspace.
ProjectWise Managed Workspaces Part II ProjectWise Managed Workspaces Part II
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group - Director of Projects In this month’s continuation of KnowledgeBase's article on Managed Workspaces, Chris completes the section on creating a Workspace Profile.
ProjectWise Managed Workspaces ProjectWise Managed Workspaces
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group A managed workspace in ProjectWise allows you to store your workspace data along with MicroStation workspace data.
How to Automatically Re-sequence Sheet Numbers How to Automatically Re-sequence Sheet Numbers
By Rick Sewell, Axiom Customer Support Learn how to automatically re-sequence sheet numbers in title blocks with the help of Title Block Manager.
Quick Element Selection — for V7 and V8! Quick Element Selection — for V7 and V8!
By Rick DeWitt, Axiom's Senior Technology Officer Here's a helpful tip for selecting elements whose endpoints intersect an element that you want excluded in the selection set.
MicroStation V8 XM Configuration Tricks MicroStation V8 XM Configuration Tricks
By Patrice Rhodes, P.H. Rhodes Check out these hot tips on creating graphic groups, locking elements and much more in this tips and tricks session.
Knowledge is Power Knowledge is Power
By KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Get the latest tips from KnowldegeBase Consulting Group in this monthly newsletter featuring tips on ProjectWise, InRoads and MicroStation.
A Tips & Tricks Special Feature A Tips & Tricks Special Feature
By Patrice Rhodes, P.H. Rhodes This document is filled with the hottest tips & tricks presented at BE Conference 2007.
InRoads XM 8.9 WorkspaceBar Shortcuts InRoads XM 8.9 WorkspaceBar Shortcuts
By Rick McFarlin, P.E.,KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Increase user speed and productivity with these various shortcuts.
XM - AccuDraw Enhancements XM - AccuDraw Enhancements
By Robert Mecham, The Envision Group Get AccuDraw shortcut key-ins here.
ProjectWise XM Tips and Tricks ProjectWise XM Tips and Tricks
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Learn how to export a list of ProjectWise user accounts to a comma separated file and import to Excel in this helpful tip.
Multi-snap and Setting Priority Tip Multi-snap and Setting Priority Tip
By Robert Mecham, The Envision Group Robert Mecham shares a tip on how users can use more than one snap at a time with the Multi-snaps feature in MicroStation.
ProjectWise XM Tips ProjectWise XM Tips
By Chris Pausch, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Learn how to create Global Views in the ProjectWise Administrator in this tip from KnowledegeBase Director of Projects.
MicroStation Tips MicroStation Tips
By Jeanne Aarhus, Aarhus Associates Get schooled on some new tips Jeanne Aarhus of Aarhus Associates shared at the BE Conference.
Using DGNAPPS in MicroStation Using DGNAPPS in MicroStation
By Kevin Fern, KnowledgeBase Consulting Group Learn how the use of .cfg files in conjunction with a simple Basic Macro can yield positive benefits in this tip.
Tip on Material Projections in MicroStation Tip on Material Projections in MicroStation
Stephen Holmes gives an example of how Materials can now be rendered across several objects in MicroStation.
Coordinate Input Tip Coordinate Input Tip
By Robert Mecham, The Envision Group In this tip Robert Mecham explains how to place elements in MicroStation.
Defining ACS Planes Tip Defining ACS Planes Tip
By Stephen Holmes, Head of Consulting Services, Cadventure Find out how to temporarily change the position and orientation of the XY coordinate system.
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) Tip Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) Tip
By Robert Mecham, The Envision Group Learn how to import files from external applications into MicroStation in this tip.
Place Note with Multiple Leaders Tip Place Note with Multiple Leaders Tip
By Jeanne Aarhus, Aarhus Associates Find out how to place a note with multiple leaders in V8 XM.
Place and Rotate Cells Tip Place and Rotate Cells Tip
By Stephen Holmes, Head of Consulting Services, Cadventure Find out what you can do with the cell placement tool in MicroStation.
Using Quick Info Tip Using Quick Info Tip
By Jeanne Aarhus, Aarhus Associates Find out how to to access the new Quick Info dialog in MicroStation V8 XM.
Google Warehouse Tip Google Warehouse Tip
By Stephen Holmes, Head of Consulting Services, Cadventure Find out how to directly link with Google Warehouse while using MicroStation.
Moving Elements to Elevation Moving Elements to Elevation
By Robert Mecham, The Envison Group Robert Mecham explains how to change the elevation of an element to an absolute value while keeping its XY location the same in this tip.
Using Handles Using Handles
By Jeanne Aarhus, Aarhus Associates Jeanne Aarhus highlights the new functions available using Handles in V8.x and V8 XM. "If you haven’t tried them out take another look."
Using Element Information Using Element Information
By Jeanne Aarhus, Aarhus Associates BE Presenter Jeanne Aarhus shows how the new Element Information dialog available in V8 XM is different and what users can do with it.
Array Along Path in 3D Array Along Path in 3D
By Stephen Holmes, Head of Consulting Services, Cadventure Stephen Holmes of Cadventure demonstrates how 3D objects can be arrayed along a path using the new setting in the Array command in MicroStation.
Using Other File Formats Using Other File Formats
By Stephen Holmes, Head of Consulting Services, Cadventure BE Presenter Stephen Holmes shows how MicroStation can now open SketchUp .SKP files and 3D Studio .3DS file formats and then be saved directly into DGN format.
View Rotation Dialog View Rotation Dialog
By Robert Mecham, Envison Group Robert Mecham explains how to access the view control menu in this tip.
Massing Buildings Massing Buildings
By Stephen Holmes, Head of Consulting Services, Cadventure Get a few pointers on how to use the Draw on Solid tool and more.
Set Active Angle by Points Set Active Angle by Points
By Robert Mecham, The Envision Group Learn to set angle points.
Take Advantage of the Keypoint Snap Take Advantage of the Keypoint Snap
By Robert Mecham, The Envision Group The Keypoint snap mode is often the most useful snap mode for drafting operations, learn to use it here.
Robert Mecham Teaches Dialog for Units Robert Mecham Teaches Dialog for Units
By Robert Mecham Do you find yourself needing to change the coordinate readouts as you are working and find it cumbersome to keep opening the Design File dialog to make those changes?
Another Handy Tip from Robert Mecham Another Handy Tip from Robert Mecham
By Robert Mecham, the Envison Group Robert Mecham offers another helpful tip. In this entry he explains how to take advantage of the data cleanup utility.
Create PDF Docs with Level Control & Password Protection Create PDF Docs with Level Control & Password Protection
By Jerry LaVoi-Wiemer of the Envision Group Two powerful features can be included when creating PDF files in MicroStation V8 - Level control and password protection. Find out how today!
Create PDF Docs with Level Control & Password Protection Create PDF Docs with Level Control & Password Protection
By Jerry LaVoi-Wiemer of the Envision Group Two powerful features can be includedl when creating PDF files in Microstation V8 - Level control and password protection. Find out how today!
Dimension Audit Utility Dimension Audit Utility
Ryan Spaulding of the Envision Group This utility is used to verify dimensioning in the active model. All the dimensioning is located and any errors are reported.
Change AccuDraw Display Change AccuDraw Display
By Bob Mecham of the Envision Group Here's a handy tip for changing your display in AccuDraw.
Build Templates in Adobe 3D the Easy Way Build Templates in Adobe 3D the Easy Way
Submitted by Lars Olson Here's a handy tip to help you build a custom template in Adobe 3D, save yourself time and aggravation and check it out!
Here's Another MicroStation Tip! Here's Another MicroStation Tip!
By Bob Mecham Bob Mecham shows users how to edit dimension text with ease in this handy tip!
Learn To Modify Dimensions Here Learn To Modify Dimensions Here
By Robert Mecham I hope these following tools for editing dimensions will stop you from dropping your dimensions.
Change Direction of Linestyles Change Direction of Linestyles
By Bob Mecham Bob Mecham gives two options to change the direction of the linestyle.
Change Pattern Properties Tool Change Pattern Properties Tool
By Bob Mecham Bob Mecham tells how to use the Change Pattern Properties tool to easily make changes to the existing pattern without recreating it.
Move Around Using Function Keys Move Around Using Function Keys
Provided by Axiom Did you know that you can move the active view of your design either up, down, left or right by using function keys?
Multi-line Joints Multi-line Joints
Provided by Axiom The Multi-line Joints tools dialog box provides you with easy ways to make cross joints, tee joints and corner joints from multi-lines.
Fast Two-Letter Key-Ins Fast Two-Letter Key-Ins
Provided by Axiom Although a graphical interface is great for many things, sometimes it's faster to use two-letter MicroStation key-ins to adjust settings.
A Macro to Extract Text Inside any DGN File A Macro to Extract Text Inside any DGN File
By Carmelo Arquiza Carmelo Arquiza sent in a macro tip to share with fellow MicroStation Connections readers.
New Look for MicroStation Manager New Look for MicroStation Manager
By Bob Mecham Bob Mecham shares a new look for MicroStation Manager.
Running a VBA Routine at Startup Running a VBA Routine at Startup
By Nigel Davies Nigel Davies provides a follow-up tip in response to a Bob Mecham tip.
Modify a Vertex Modify a Vertex
By Bob Mecham Bob Mecham tells how to modify a vertex.
Editing Cells Quickly Editing Cells Quickly
By Bob Mecham Bob Mecham offers a tip to help you become more efficient with Cell Library management.
Auto Load a Macro Auto Load a Macro
By Bob Mecham Bob Mecham discusses how to handle macros such as popcalc customized variables that do not stay loaded if you exit MicroStation.
Customizing Values in Pop-up Calculator Customizing Values in Pop-up Calculator
By Robert Mecham Bob Mecham discusses an added feature of Pop-up Calculator that allows the user to create a shortcut of commonly used values to a list.
Pop-up Calculator and the Use of Complex Expressions Pop-up Calculator and the Use of Complex Expressions
By Robert Mecham Bob Mecham takes the pop-up calculator discussed in last week's digest one step further to show some of the uses of “=” function.
AccuDraw with Pop-up Calculator AccuDraw with Pop-up Calculator
By Robert Mecham You can keep your handheld calculator turned off when you need to perform math functions in MicroStation.
Get out of Clicking and clicking and clicking and... Get out of Clicking and clicking and clicking and...
By Robert Mecham Oh No! Not Again! Escape from Clicking to Eternity!
Assigning View Control to Your Function Keys Assigning View Control to Your Function Keys
By Alex Argüelles, Survey Tech, Florida Department of Transportation Learn how to increase your productivity by assigning View Control commands to Function Keys.
How to Create Your Own Personal Workspace How to Create Your Own Personal Workspace
By Mike Arroyo, Axiom Product Manager Do you share a workstation with other MicroStation users? Here's how to make your own personal space to keep your workspace settings intact.
AutoCAD ESC Key for MicroStation AutoCAD ESC Key for MicroStation
By Robert Mecham AutoCAD converts, are you still reaching for the ESC key to clear the active command? Here's how to assign that ESC key function in MicroStation!
AccuDraw Focus AccuDraw Focus
By Robert Mecham If you have ever worked with AccuDraw you know keeping the focus in the AccuDraw dialog can be a problem - here's a fix.
Default Tool Preference Default Tool Preference
By Robert Mecham Regular contributor Robert Mecham explains how to put the Power in Power Selector.
Extend a line? Extend a line?
By Robert Mecham It may not be apparent, but using the Extend tool you can also shorten a line by typing in a negative value.
Sequencing the Active File Sequencing the Active File
By Lorys Lea Here is a neat little trick I found from one of the great guys at Bentley to work around a bug in ustation...
Shift a Custom LineStyle Shift a Custom LineStyle
By Robert Mecham If you use custom linestyles that incorporate symbols or text, you may have been frustrated with the placement of the symbol or text...
Right-Click Level Display Right-Click Level Display
By Robert Mecham There is a useful pop-up menu in V7 and V8 in the Level dialogs that will allow you to quickly turn off or on all levels...
The Stretch Command The Stretch Command
By Robert Mecham Here is a simple workflow for modifying elements using the stretch command in combination with the scale tool.
How to Send to Back Manually How to Send to Back Manually
By Lorys Lea Get your elements in order with this tip Lorys Lea, our man from down under.
Controlling the Origin of a Copy/Paste Controlling the Origin of a Copy/Paste
By Robert Mecham Creating the origin when copying design elements will help you paste the elements in the next drawing.
Bringing Elements to the Front Bringing Elements to the Front
By Robert Mecham For plotting or display, you may need to bring an element to the front...
Tweaking a Text Preference Tweaking a Text Preference
By Robert Mecham Here's a nifty trick for maximizing text readability.
Using Text Symbols Using Text Symbols
By Robert Mecham Have 'em at your fingertips with this handy user preference setting.
Creating WBlocks in MicroStation as AutoCAD Creating WBlocks in MicroStation as AutoCAD
By Ryan Berger Got a MicroStation element or cell you need to turn into an AutoCAD WBlock? Ryan Berger tells us how.
Common 3D Key-ins Common 3D Key-ins
By Bob Mecham Check out these handy shortcuts!
Viewing Thumbnails of V8 DGN Files Viewing Thumbnails of V8 DGN Files
By Phil Chouinard, Bentley Got V8 DGN files that don't have a .DGN extension? Want to view their thumbnail images? Read on for guidance from Bentley.
Selecting the Text Under Filled Areas Selecting the Text Under Filled Areas
By Lorys Lea Problem How do you select the text under filled areas? Every time I try to grab text I get the fill instead!
AccuSnap and the Keyboard AccuSnap and the Keyboard
By Robert Mecham AccuSnap and AccuDraw keyboard tips.
Measuring a Horizontal Distance Measuring a Horizontal Distance
By Bob Mecham Need to make sure you're getting a horizontal distance measurement? Bob Mecham shows us how.
Referencing a PDF Referencing a PDF
By Lorys Lea Here is a work-around for referencing a PDF with data alignments and other plans.
Accessing Shortcuts with the Bentley Logo Accessing Shortcuts with the Bentley Logo
By Bob Mecham Have you explored the Bentley Logo?
Editing Text in Cells Editing Text in Cells
By Bob Mecham There are a couple different ways to edit text in cells that are placed in your design file without dropping the cell.
Quickly Keying-in Bearings in AccuDraw Quickly Keying-in Bearings in AccuDraw
By Bob Mecham Need to key-in bearings? Here is a little-known trick that makes this easier.
Changing Screens When Using Two Application Windows Changing Screens When Using Two Application Windows
By Bob Mecham Do you have dual monitors? Here's how to change screens when using two application windows.
Capturing an Image in MicroStation Capturing an Image in MicroStation
By Bob Mecham Here's how you can create "screen shots" from MicroStation to help with support issues or graphics for documents.
Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for MicroStation
By Bob Mecham Find out some nifty quick tricks that will help cut down on your keystroke time
Power Selector in V8
By Bob Mecham Tips for new tool, look and Key-in for Power Selector in V8.
Creating a Backup (Redux #3)
By Joel Aili Creating a backup: Three Things to Consider and Define
gbXML, BIM and Green Building: An InteroperabilityTrifecta
Schema like gbXML are not only making …

Bentley ProSteel Assists PDC in Design of Mining Firm Hub
Mining project interfaces various models across multiple …

Future of CAD Looking Positive, Despite Piracy
Kathleen Maher discusses how the CAD software …

Easily Move the Pivot Point in the Rotate Dynamic View
Learn how the rotate dynamic view has …

Web Server Portion of ProjectWise has Changed
When deploying the ProjectWise V8i Web Server, …

Affinity 6.0 Features More Design & Team Project Management
Trelligence’s Affinity 6.0 provides users with extended …

Sr Technical Specialist: BIM Most Exciting AEC Advancement
MicroStation user Kenneth Holt gives insight on …

New AIA Tool Tracks Energy Reduction in Firms
The carbon neutrality goal could be futile …

Find Out What More You Can Do with Cells
A tip on how you can also …

Details on V8i (SELECTseries 2) Updates
Bentley users have plenty to be excited …