In Microstation the blocks are called cells (cells) although in some contexts I have heard that they are also called cells. In this article we will see how to do it and the logic that makes them differ from the AutoCAD blocks.
1 To use the cells
Unlike the GIS, where the symbology is dynamic from a point and its attributes, in the CAD must be objects placed on the geometry as:
- In 2D construction plans: the representative symbols of toilets, sinks, lamps, electrical outlets, trees, etc.
- On land maps: symbols of public building, bridge, church, educational center, etc.
Other common cases are usually the framework around a map, which is adjusted to a specific paper size and where the responsibilities of the person who performed the project are detailed.
2 How to build cells in Microstation
Let's suppose that the upper figure is the block that we want to create. It is a frame for an 1 map: 1,000 on an 24 sheet "36".
The red contour corresponds to this sheet in scale 1: 1,000 (609.60 meters by 914.40 meters), then I have removed space according to the margins of the plotter and inside I have drawn the module with the necessary legends.
The red dot is an insertion point of my interest, because with that vector of displacement the reticle 1: 1,000 is right inside, which I will explain A future article when discussing how to create a layout for printing using Microstation.
- We select the objects that we are interested in making a block, not including the outer red box.
- The cell management panel is activated. For this, in case of Microstation 8.8 keeps tight and creeps; in the case of Microstation V8i, the right button is pressed and the option to deploy as a floating bar is chosen.
- The button is selected first and then the search magnifier.
This will cause a panel of block libraries to be raised.
- A .cel type library is created, this is done through File / new. In case we already have a library, it is loaded with File / Attach.
Next, we need to tell you where the source point of our block is, which will be the insertion point for when we call it.
This is done using the fourth command on the cell bar, and clicking on the inner corner of the UTM reticle, as shown in the graph.
From this moment on, the "Create" button is activated.
- We name the block, in this case Marco1000 and the description Marco 1: 1,000. See that you can already preview.
3 How to load existing cells
To call them, double click on the block that interests us, and are ready to insert, with option to choose the scale, rotation and location point.
If you want to load existing blocks, AutoCAD only allows you to load blocks that are in a dxf / dwg file and is done with the Design Center command.
Microstation allows more formats:
- Microstation bookstores (.cel and .dgnlib)
- CAD files (.dgn, .dwg, .dxf)
- GIS files (.shp, .tab, .mif)
- Other formats (.3ds, .obj, .3dm, .skp, .impx)
To see the available blocks in the file, select "Display all cells in path", you can also bring the file as a block.
To ungroup a file, use the Drop command, activating the cell option.