Microstation: Print Layout Maps

In AutoCAD one of the most practical functionalities is the handling of layouts, which represent paper spaces with windows from the drawing at different scale. Microstation has it since versions 8.5 although the operation logic is not exactly the same, let's see how to create a 1: 1,000 map to reinforce what we get from the AutoCAD Course just passed. I recommend that you see the article where I showed how to create the block (cell), for the outer frame.

This map is an example, where the 1: 1,000 building layer and grid is built, and what I want is to create output maps ready for printing, without having to duplicate and with the final objective that the update is done only to a file.

How to create the layout

In Microstation the well-known layout is known as Model, and it is created from the upper panel, as seen above. Then we choose the new model icon.

In the panel that appears, we choose Sheet type, we give it the name that in this case will be CN22-1J, Arch D size paper which is 24 ”x36”. Then here is the basic key, which is the insertion point.

Recall that our module created as a cell has the insertion point in the corner of the grid, so we occupy to have a displacement vector for the corner of the sheet where to insert the coordinates that will have the corner of the sheet of paper. (See article from module creation to understand it)

This makes our sheet georeferenced to the area that interests us for the next step.

Call information to layout

The reference file is loaded (itself), then we draw a closed polygon on the grid that interests us to cut.

Now, we touch the reference file and the cut button. So, we choose the option from an object, we touch the frame and then we will have the map clipped as we are interested. It didn't erase what we don't see, it just made a cutout and hid what's outside the polygon.

To place the frame, then we call the block (cell) that we created in the previous article, and insert it in the corner of interest.

And there we have it, a 1: 1,000 map in layout. The module block can be ungrouped for individual modifications.

In this way, we do not need to be printing from the workspace, but rather create as many layouts as output maps are required. To insert more than one area into the map, it is called reference again, either itself or someone else, and it is clipped from polygons. If you want to change the scale, then you change the reference file.

If you notice, the logic between Microstation and AutoCAD changes in this, because there what there is is a workspace, with windows of the same drawing and with scale under its own visualization. AutoCAD has the advantage of calling and zooming without much return, Microstation gains the advantage of working with many reference files under different conditions.