When inserting blocks, entering a negative value in the proportion column means the blocks will be inserted at the specified scale and mirrored. For example, to insert a block with a 1:1 ratio and mirror it horizontally, set the X Scale to -1 and the Y Scale to 1. If the X value is positive and the Y value is negative, the block will be mirrored vertically. When both values are negative, the block will be mirrored in both directions.
Type in Keyin; FF= to write the contents within a fence to a new file. Objects inside the fence in the original image remain unaffected. Alternatively, type SF= to write out the fence content while deleting the objects in the original image, similar to the WBLOCK function in earlier versions of AutoCAD. (Note that the specific operation also depends on your Fence Mode setting.)
MicroStation supports the standard Windows drag-and-drop feature. You can drag a DGN file from Explorer directly into the MicroStation window. The program will prompt you to close the current file and open the dragged one. This feature is also useful when attaching reference files. Open the Reference dialog box via File > Reference, then drag the desired file from Explorer into the Reference window. This action has the same effect as clicking Attach in the Reference dialog.
To manage layers quickly, type ON=1-63 to open all layers, then type OF=1-63 to close all layers except the current one. It’s recommended to assign these commands to function keys for easier access.
When editing text, clicking the Apply button can be tedious. Instead, simply press ALT+A or Ctrl+Enter to apply changes efficiently.
Within the Text Editor, use Ctrl+A to select all text. This shortcut is handy in many other situations, such as selecting all layers at once when setting Level Symbology, or selecting all object types or classes when editing a Pen table, eliminating the need to select them individually.
Copying or cutting and pasting is a common workflow. Have you considered defining a precise insertion point, similar to block creation? After selecting an object, don’t rush to copy or cut. First, hover over the desired reference point until the crosshair (known as the Tentative Point) appears. At this stage, you cannot confirm the point with a click—it’s just being grabbed. Then, copy or cut the object. When you paste, the insertion point will align with the exact point you selected.
Like AutoCAD, you don’t need a separate property modification tool to change an object’s attributes. Select the object, then modify properties such as Color, Level, Line Style, or Line Weight directly from the Primary toolbar. The changes will apply immediately to the selected object.
The Center mode is versatile—it captures not only the center of circles but also the center of any object, including text. For instance, it can find the midpoint of a line segment, the center of a rectangle (the intersection of its diagonals), or the centroid of an irregular closed polygon. Try it out and see how useful it is.
When using the Select tool, clicking on an empty space deselects the current selection. For PowerSelect, press the spacebar to clear the selection set.
By default, the Select tool requires the selection box to fully enclose an object to select it. To enable crossing selection (selecting objects that the box touches), hold down Ctrl+Shift while selecting. Note: On Chinese versions of Windows, this shortcut may conflict with input method switching.
Selected objects display control handles, whose size depends on the display width of Line Weight 8. For example, in WorkSpace Preferences under Drawing, if you enable Line Weights and set the display width of Line Weight 8 to 4, the control handles will appear more elegant. While many users prefer the Highlight display mode for selected objects, I find control handles more flexible. Simple adjustments can be made by dragging these handles without continuous mouse pressing.
In 3D environments, lights are represented as blocks placed automatically on Level 1. To hide these light blocks during rendering, simply turn off their layer. You can manipulate these blocks like any other—move, copy, rotate, scale, or change layer properties—but you cannot explode them. The text within the light block shows various light parameters stored in data fields. Modify these values to change the light’s properties, but remember to type Define Lights in the Keyin window afterwards for the changes to take effect.
Check WorkSpace Preferences under Memory Usage for optimal settings. If you’re using default values and experiencing memory constraints, increase the Undo Buffer (default is 256) by up to four times, and adjust other caches accordingly. Disable Immediate Save Design Changes during operations to prevent accidental file corruption, especially with large files and small Undo Buffers. To automate saving and compression on exit, enable “Save Settings on Exit” and “Compress Design on Exit.” Keep in mind that compressing the file disables undo for previous operations and changes the file date even if no modifications were made.
Open the Level Manager to view 63 layers represented by small squares numbered 1 through 63. Note the empty square beside Level 63; right-clicking it opens options such as All On, All Off, Off By Element, and All Except Element. Don’t forget to click Apply to confirm changes. Alternatively, double-clicking this empty square acts as an Apply shortcut. You can also double-click any layer’s square to make that layer the current one, but be cautious when doing so.
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