How to Turn Reference Display On in Microstation?

Steps to Enable Reference Display in MicroStation

To enhance your workflow in MicroStation, turning on the display of referenced files can be crucial. Follow these detailed steps to ensure references are visible in your design environment.

Accessing the Key-in Command

1. Begin by navigating to the “Tools” option in the main menu at the top of your screen.
2. From the dropdown, select “Key-in.” This will open a dialog box where you can enter specific commands.
3. Input the command dialog reference open into the Key-in window and press "Enter." This action will launch the Reference dialog, providing you with access to all referenced files in your active model.

Using the Reference Dialog

Once the Reference dialog is open, you will see a list of all files currently referenced in your active design.

1. To manage the display of these references, locate the list of attachments shown.
2. Ensure that the “Display” checkbox next to each reference file is checked. This indicates that the reference will be visible in your workspace.
3. You can toggle the visibility of any reference by clicking the checkbox adjacent to it. If you uncheck it, the reference will be hidden from view.

Controlling Level Display for References

To specifically manage which layers or levels of a reference are displayed:

1. Return to the main menu and navigate to “Settings.”
2. Select “Levels” and then “Display.” This will open the Level Display dialog where various level settings can be adjusted.
3. In the Level Display dialog, you will see a list of all levels for the selected reference. You can choose to turn these levels on or off by checking or unchecking the respective boxes.
4. If you would like changes to apply globally across all views, ensure that the “Global Display” option is enabled.

Additional Display Options

MicroStation allows further customization for a more refined display:

1. Open the Level Manager through the “Settings” menu by selecting “Level” followed by “Manager.”
2. You can see an organized view of all levels in your reference files. From here, you can easily adjust visibility settings.
3. For specific elements that require different display attributes, you may right-click and also choose options such as “Override” to change colors, line styles, or line weights per your design needs.

Saving Your Display Settings

Once you have made all the necessary adjustments to your reference displays and layer visibility:

1. To ensure that your settings are preserved during your session, simply save your model by choosing “File” and then “Save.”
2. You can also save your settings as part of a template for future projects by utilizing the “Save as Template” option in the File menu.

FAQs

1. What should I do if a reference file doesn’t appear even after enabling it?
Make sure the reference file has been successfully attached. If it still isn’t visible, check whether any of its layers have been turned off or frozen in the Level Display settings.

2. How can I edit a reference file directly within my active design file?
You can right-click on the reference element and select "Activate" to edit it without needing to switch files. This feature allows for more efficient workflow management.

3. Can I override specific attributes for reference layers without affecting the master file?
Yes, by accessing the Level Display dialog, you can override attributes like color and line style specifically for the reference layers without altering the original settings in the master file.