Understanding Draw Order in MicroStation
Draw order in MicroStation determines how elements are visually stacked in your design file. This feature is crucial for ensuring that elements are displayed in the correct sequence, allowing certain elements to be on top of or behind others as needed for clarity and aesthetics. There are several methods to adjust the draw order based on your specific needs.
Methods to Change the Draw Order
Using Level Manager to Adjust Priority
1. Access the Level Manager by navigating to the menu: **Settings > Levels > Manager**.
2. Within the Level Manager, identify the levels that contain elements whose draw order you want to change.
3. Look for the Priority column. This setting determines how levels rank in terms of visibility overlay.
4. To change the draw order, click on the number in the Priority column for the desired level. A higher number means that level will be displayed in front of levels with lower numbers.
5. Adjust the priority numbers accordingly. For instance, if you want a level with a fill to be behind lines, assign a lower priority number to the fill level.
6. Once adjustments are made, close the Level Manager. The changes should automatically reflect in the design.
Using the Element’s Drawing Order
1. Select the element or elements you want to modify.
2. Right-click on the selection to bring up the context menu.
3. From the menu, choose the **Send to Back** or **Bring to Front** option depending on whether you want the selected element to be behind or in front of other elements.
4. This method is effective for single or multiple selected elements and does not require changing the levels.
Selecting All Elements on a Level
1. To streamline your modifications, first select the level you wish to manage within the Level Manager.
2. Use the **Power Selector** tool. Access this from the tools menu or by using shortcut configurations.
3. Enable the option to select multiple elements across the entire design based on the specified level.
4. Once all relevant elements are selected, proceed to adjust their draw order using the right-click context menu as described previously.
Utilizing Global Settings for Display Control
1. Open the **Level Display** window by selecting **Settings > Level > Display**.
2. From this window, you have options to enable or disable entire levels. To manage draw order effectively, consider freezing or hiding levels that may clutter your view.
3. Use the Global Freeze option to temporarily disable certain levels when needed, allowing for a clearer view of elements that require manipulation.
4. Making these high-level adjustments ensures that the necessary elements remain visible and correctly ordered without changing the underlying properties of the elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I see which elements are currently on top of others in my design?
To identify elements stacked above others, use the **Show/Hide** tool within the Level Display settings. Temporarily toggle visibility of different levels to observe the layering of elements.
Can I lock a level to prevent accidental modifications?
Yes, you can lock a level in the Level Manager by right-clicking on the level name and selecting **Lock Level**. This prevents any modifications until you unlock it.
What is the impact of changing draw order on my renderings?
Changing the draw order affects how elements overlap visually in both 2D and 3D views. Elements that are set to appear in front will obscure those behind them, impacting the overall clarity and outcome of renderings.
