How to Select by Level in MicroStation?

Understanding Levels in MicroStation

MicroStation utilizes a system of levels to manage the visibility and organization of elements within your design. Levels act as a way to categorize and control various components of your drawing, allowing for easier editing and visualization.

Accessing the Level Manager

To select elements by their level in MicroStation, you first need to access the Level Manager. Follow these steps:

1. Navigating to Level Manager:
   • Open MicroStation.
   • Click on the Menu Bar and choose Settings.
   • From the dropdown, navigate to Levels and select Manager.

This tool will allow you to view existing levels, create new ones, and manage their attributes as needed.

Selecting Elements by Level

Once you have the Level Manager open, you can select elements based on their assigned levels:

1. Identifying Levels:

   • In the Level Manager dialog, you will see a list of levels along with their visibility status.
   • Check the box next to the levels you wish to make visible or select.

2. Using the Element Selection Tool:

   • Access the Element Selection tool from the main toolbar or by navigating to Tools > Element Selection.
   • In the tool settings, look for the option that allows you to filter or search by level.
3. Selecting by Level:
   • After filtering, you can click on any visible element. All instances on the selected level will be highlighted or selected.
   • If you require more granular control, use the Select By Attributes or appropriate command under the Edit menu, allowing for more specific criteria.

Deselecting Elements

If you find that you need to remove certain selections, use the following method:

1. Deselecting with Commands:
   • Go to View in the top menu.
   • Select Home > Selection > Select None. This action will clear your current selection, allowing you to start afresh.

Managing Levels for Enhanced Selection

Managing levels effectively will improve your ability to select elements:

1. Creating New Levels:

   • In the Level Manager, click New to create a new level.
   • Assign specific attributes like color, line style, and weight to distinguish it from others.
2. Renaming and Modifying Levels:
   • To rename a level, simply double-click the level name in the Level Manager.
   • Modify any attributes by selecting the level and adjusting settings in the Attribute Editor.

Filtering and Searching for Specific Levels

Utilizing filters can significantly streamline your workflow:

1. Using Level Filters:

   • In the Level Manager, utilize the filters provided to search for specific levels based on criteria such as names or attributes.
   • This is particularly useful when working in large projects with multiple levels.
2. Applying Filters:
   • Once criteria is set, apply the filter to modify which levels are visible and selectable.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I quickly hide or show levels in MicroStation?

To quickly hide or show levels, use the Level Manager. Simply uncheck the box next to the level you want to hide or check it to show. This can help in managing the complexity of your drawing.

2. Can I change the attributes of elements after selecting by level?

Yes, once elements are selected by level, you can modify their attributes such as color, line style, or line weight using the properties tool. Just ensure that the attributes you want to change are set in the active properties before making adjustments.

3. Is it possible to select multiple levels at once?

Yes, you can select multiple levels by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking on the levels in the Level Manager. This allows you to toggle the visibility and selection of multiple levels simultaneously.