How to Change Drawing Scale in Microstation?

To modify the drawing scale in MicroStation, follow these steps to ensure that your designs are accurately represented according to your specifications.

Accessing the Level Manager

1. Begin by launching MicroStation and opening your project.
2. Navigate to the menu bar at the top. Select Settings and then Level, followed by Manager. This will bring up the Level Manager dialog.

Adjusting Level Properties

1. In the Level Manager, locate the specific level for which you want to change the scale.
2. Right-click on the level’s name and choose Properties from the context menu. This opens the Properties dialog for that level.

Modifying the Scale Settings

1. Within the Properties dialog, switch to the Styles tab to access the different styling options available.
2. Here, you will find two sections: Bylevel and Overrides. You can choose either, depending on your requirements.
3. Look for the Scale option in this section and check the box next to it to enable scale adjustments.

Setting the Scale Factor

1. Once the Scale option is enabled, a field will appear for you to enter the desired scale factor. Input your preferred value carefully. The scale factor determines how elements in your design will be resized, so ensure this corresponds to your project’s specifications.

Changing Global Line Style Scale

To adjust the global line style scale, follow these additional steps:

1. Open the Models Dialog by navigating to File and then Models.
2. From the list, right-click on the model you want to work with and select Properties.
3. Find the Line Style Scale option and set it to Global Line Style Scale.
4. Enter the new scale value for the global line style. This will affect all elements linked to this global setting.

Using the Scale Tool

If you need to apply a scale tool to specific elements or groups in your design:

1. Select the Scale tool typically found in the drawing tools area.
2. Choose the element you wish to scale by clicking on it or by drawing a selection box around it.
3. Input the new scale factor directly in the tool settings dialog that appears.

Scaling Raster Images

To scale a raster image embedded within your project, follow these steps:

1. Access the Raster Manager from the File menu and open the section for raster images.
2. Identify the raster image you wish to resize and select it.
3. Click on the Scale icon within the Raster Manager.
4. In the settings for the selected raster, determine whether you want to lock the aspect ratio. For a uniform scaling, keep the lock icon locked; for independent resizing in width and height, unlock it.
5. Input your desired scaling values into the respective fields.

Reverse Engineering Line Properties

If you find a need to match or alter line attributes after resizing, utilize these features:

1. Open the Change Attribute tool from the task menu on the main interface.
2. Select the Match Element Attributes tool, often represented by an eyedropper icon.
3. Click on the element whose attributes you want to replicate.
4. Check the boxes for the specific attributes you want to transfer, such as line style or weight.
5. Finally, select the new element to which you’d like to apply these attributes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I ensure that my scale changes are saved?
Always remember to save your project after making adjustments. Use the File menu and select Save or Save As to ensure all changes are permanent.

What steps should I take if the scale appears inconsistent in my drawing?
Review the scale factors set in your Level Manager and Model Properties to confirm they are correct. Additionally, check if any overrides are applied that may affect how scales are displayed.

Can I reset the scale settings if needed?
Yes, you can revert to the initial settings by following the same steps to access the Properties dialog and unchecking or modifying the scale options back to their defaults.