How to Use Layers in MicroStation?

Creating New Levels in MicroStation

Creating a new layer, or level, in MicroStation is straightforward and essential for managing different components of your design. Follow these steps to add a new level:

1. Open the Level Manager by selecting it from the menu.
2. In the Level Manager, navigate to the menu and select the option to create a new level. Alternatively, click on the "New Level" icon for quicker access.
3. Once the new level appears in the levels list, enter a name that reflects the purpose of the level for clarity.
4. Customize the new level’s attributes such as color, line style, and weight by clicking on the respective columns in the level list.
5. Confirm the creation of the level by pressing Enter. Your new level is now ready for use.

Modifying Levels in MicroStation

Sometimes it is necessary to change the attributes of existing levels. This can help in organizing different elements of your project. Here is how to modify level attributes:

1. First, select the elements whose attributes you wish to change by clicking on them individually or using a selection tool.
2. Access the Change Attributes tool from the tool menu.
3. Ensure that the Level option is activated, which will allow you to alter the level assignment of the selected elements.
4. Choose the intended level from the list of available levels.
5. Confirm the change by clicking in your design area where you want to apply the updated attributes.

Reorganizing Element Hierarchy

The visual presentation of elements can significantly impact the clarity of your drawings. Use the following steps to bring elements to the forefront or send them to the back:

1. For versions up to MicroStation V8 2004, simply select the elements you want to reposition and navigate to Edit > Bring to Front.
2. For versions 07.24 and later, create a selection set that includes the elements you wish to modify, then select Edit > Bring to Front.
3. Optionally, assign the Bring to Front function to a keyboard shortcut for quicker access in future sessions.

Managing Level Display Settings

Efficiently managing the visibility of levels is crucial when working on complex designs. Here’s how to control level visibility:

1. Access the Level Display dialog from the Settings menu on the main toolbar.
2. In this dialog, you can view all levels and references currently included in your project.
3. To hide a specific level, right-click on its name and click on Turn Off from the context menu. Conversely, to make a hidden level visible again, right-click and select Turn On.
4. Observe the level name’s appearance: the level is on if shown in black and off if in light grey.

Selecting Elements by Level

Quickly selecting all elements associated with a specific level can enhance workflow efficiency. Here’s how to do so:

1. To select a single level, simply click on its name in the Level Manager.
2. For selecting multiple levels at once, click and drag your mouse over the desired levels in the list.
3. To choose non-contiguous levels, hold down the key while clicking the desired levels.
4. If you wish to deselect a highlighted level, hold down the key and click the level again.

Moving Elements Between Levels

To maintain an organized structure in your design, it may become necessary to reposition elements to a different level. Here’s how:

1. Open the Level Manager and locate the level containing the elements you want to move.
2. Right-click on the level and select "Remap Elements" from the popup menu.
3. Choose the target level from the list that appears.
4. Confirm your selection by clicking OK. The selected elements will be transferred to the new level while retaining their original layer in the design file.

Understanding Global Display Features

The Global Display feature allows for uniform control over level visibility across all views. Here’s how it works:

1. When you adjust the visibility of a level in the Level Display dialog, it affects that level in all open views.
2. If Global Display is activated and a level is not frozen, it will be visible across your project workspace.

FAQs

1. Can I delete a level after creating it?
Yes, you can delete a level using the Level Manager. Select the level you wish to remove, right-click, and choose the delete option.

2. How does the priority setting influence level visibility?
Priority in MicroStation affects the drawing order of elements. Layers with higher priority will appear over those with lower priority in your design space.

3. What should I do if I mistakenly hide a level?
If you hide a level by mistake, you can easily restore its visibility. Open the Level Display dialog, find the hidden level, right-click on it, and select Turn On to make it visible again.