Archive for May, 2008

How to win the war on MicroStation terror

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

MicroStation users overcome fearsome productivity barriers!

Clearwater, Florida, USA — Have you ever encountered a situation that made you want to send an SOS?

  • You’re in the trenches. 250 design files and their reference files must be submitted tomorrow and you notice all the links to the reference file attachments are broken.
  • You think you are done and notice that your client’s company name is misspelled in 300 design files.
  • After taking hours to import a spreadsheet containing the costs of all the materials involved in a project, you discover the spreadsheet has been updated and has almost completely changed. Now you have to go back and re-import!
  • You are ready to submit the design file to your client. Suddenly the system crashes and an error message comes in: “Unable to open design file. Please contact your local site administrator blah blah blah…”

Should you send up the white flag? No — you call Axiom.

Our goal, at Axiom, is to help you win the war against MicroStation production barriers. We want to help you handle MicroStation problems, save time and meet your project deadlines. Find out how others have dealt with missed deadlines, late nights, lost weekends and upset clients. In this article, we share some of our all-time favorite war stories with you.

How to save time, meet deadlines and look like a MicroStation genius as you easily handle everything that comes your way.
The tedium of repetitive manipulation of design files ties up valuable resources, consumes man-hours and devours project profits. With the tools in MicroStation Productivity Toolkit, expensive, time-consuming tasks can be a thing of the past.

Here’s what a few of our clients wanted you to know:

“Last week I was asked to convert 200 drawings from an existing design for re-use in a new project. The task required all existing references and mark numbers on all drawings be re-mapped to new project numbers. The project manager was worried that this would not be achieved by the first submission date, especially after a manual trial run of ten drawings. He was skeptical when I told him I could do all of them in one afternoon if he wanted. It took a couple of hours for Global File Changer to automatically process all 200 files, most of which time I was still productive doing other tasks. To do this manually would have taken weeks. Instead of being behind schedule, the project is a few weeks ahead of schedule!” C.A.

“[Before Microsoft Office Importer] there was a lot of time being wasted. We used to have to bring in spreadsheets one column at a time. Instead of wasting about an hour per revision, I used Microsoft Office Importer and handled the problem in four clicks of a mouse.” C.M.

“We recently had thousands of reference files that got messed up and would have taken at least two weeks to fix. RefManager fixed them automatically in four hours.” L.C.

“I now love RefManager! I wasn’t looking forward to changing 1300 reference file attachments manually.” C.S.

MicroStation quality of life
You can spare yourself the worry and aggravation of not having the tools you need to get the job done, by just having Toolkit ready in your arsenal. Our clients share how the versatility of MicroStation Productivity Toolkit relieves project anxiety:

“We started using Microsoft Office Importer on one of our larger projects and some of the Product Managers liked it so much that they started using it for the index and summaries of a lot of our smaller projects.” S.K.

“I use the tools in Toolkit every day and it’s invaluable. A problem will come up and I’ll say, ‘I bet we can solve that with Toolkit’, and we usually do.” L.C.
“Do yourself a favor and buy MicroStation Productivity Toolkit.” B. M.

Trouble getting everyone doing it right?
MicroStation Productivity Toolkit applications can be used to ensure project quality and standards — while still meeting deadlines. By submitting error-free designs on time, and meeting or exceeding your customer’s expectations, you’ll impress them and secure future business. SpecChecker (part of MicroStation Productivity Toolkit) is particularly handy for automating quality assurance checks and repairs. Here are some examples from MicroStation Productivity Toolkit owners:

“Using FileFixer and SpecChecker we are able to stop problems before they affect our schedules.” D.H.

“I’ve used SpecChecker to reorganize the symbology of elements in many of our design files. This saves me 85% of the work I would have had to do myself!” F.L.

“When dealing with lots of CAD files like I do, I don’t know how I could check all of them if I didn’t have SpecChecker.” S.A.

Save money and increase profits.
There is no better evidence of the cost-effectiveness of MicroStation Productivity Toolkit than the results owners achieve with it. MicroStation Productivity Toolkit owners explain:

“My company has a corporate Bentley license (about 30 sites) and this office was the first one to acquire Microsoft Office Importer. Every chance I get, I tell the other sites that it works and that within the first week, it paid for itself.” S.C.

“When it comes to the purchase of additional licenses of MicroStation Productivity Toolkit, money is not an issue. My guys rave about Axiom tools. Just the other day, we handled 6,000 design files with RefManager and it saved us an incredible amount of time.” M.E.

“I love FileFixer. It saves me many, many man-hours!” M.K.

“FileFixer alone makes MicroStation Productivity Toolkit worth it!” R.S.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Articles, CAD Manager Tools, CAD User Tools | No Comments »

Model Merging in MicroStation

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Create a standalone design file by copying each external reference file to its own model in the master design file.

Clearwater, Florida, USA — Axiom recently announced a new release of RefMerge for V8. This latest release adds an optional merging method that leverages the ability of MicroStation V8 to store any number of design and sheet models within a single design file. Now, with RefMerge for V8, users can create standalone design files by copying each external reference file to its own model in the master design file. This new method maintains the power of MicroStation reference file attachments (with their setting and display capabilities), but the reference file attachments point to the internal model rather than the external reference file.

Merging models is now possible in MicroStation.

Why the new method?
RefMerge, for over a decade, has provided its users with a fast, reliable method of generating standalone output files by merging the elements from both the master and reference files into a single design file.

The merged output files are ideal for:

  • Adding design files to document management systems that don’t support MicroStation reference files.
  • Sending design files to service bureaus for plotting.
  • Transmitting design files to clients.
  • Archiving design files.

But, even with all the above, there were still situations where merging elements into the same model did not provide the ideal solution. Let’s take the example of a 3D model referenced in a 2D sheet. When copied into a 2D sheet, a true 3D element would have to be dropped to the simple flat 2D elements that define its outline. Using RefMerge’s new method however, the full 3D model, as a 3D model, is merged into the output file. The reference file attachment is then changed so it points to the new internal 3D model with no loss of information and no reduction in rendering graphics quality. In addition, the composite file created with this new method maintains a logical separation of geometry, just like it did before the merge. In other words, because it’s still a reference file attachment, you can still manipulate the display of all related data with a single command.

Regardless of the method chosen to merge files, RefMerge can be configured to run on a single design file or any group of design files in batch. RefMerge is safe to use. It always creates new output files, leaving important project files unchanged. Since RefMerge doesn’t alter the original files, a project snapshot (a view of the current state of the project) can be created anytime during the day — even when users are actively working on a project!

RefMerge has a large number of options that enable users to easily customize the name and output location of merged files as well as a complete set of options for controlling the merging process, if anything unusual is needed.

Tags:
Posted in Articles, CAD Manager Tools, CAD User Tools | No Comments »

CAD Controversy — What do you have to say?

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

“3D, 4D, BIM, Artificial intelligence, voice activation, file sharing? What is the next big thing? What do you think? Write and let me know.” — Editor

“There should ideally be only one file, which can be accessed by all, rather than having multiple copies that are held on local area networks, CDs, e-mail, local C: drives, etc.”
Gerard Hall, CAD Manager

“Object-oriented design is obviously the next big thing in civil design. CAD, in the civil arena, must deliver a more intelligent product in a world of GIS (Geographic Information System), BIM (Building Information Modeling) and Google Earth.”
Chris Elvin, CAD Expert

“I’ve noticed a few trends, with the most notable being the global shift in engineering to embrace collaborative technologies and solutions.

This is being fuelled by a hyper-competitive global marketplace and is made possible with new web and communication technologies. The ability to manage and share data quickly between business units, customers and with downstream processing has been identified as being a critical driver of business performance, and some would argue business survival.

For CAD and engineering applications, this inevitably means a continued drive towards more ‘open’ formats and architectures that allow data transfer between applications with minimal data loss.”
Colin Asplin,
CAD Manager

“I envision that a CAD program might become voice commanded in the future. In the past, when I was on the [drafting] board, I dreamed that perhaps one day I would type the text for a drawing, or someone would invent a device that would do the inking for contour lines. Now look at us.”
Carolyn Serritt,
CAD Supervisor

“A lot has happened since the digital revolution in terms of how computers have become an essential tool. But at the same time, very little has helped us to be more productive as a user. The divide between a designer (using 2D and pen and paper), a CAD architect (a 2D user) and a 3D modeler is still apparent. However, I do see changes taking place and it is encouraging. A variety of easy-to-use 3D applications are increasingly becoming more intuitive and popular for those who have limited capabilities in using a complex 3D application.”
Ken Shigemitsu
Director of IT

Posted in Articles | No Comments »

Axiom acquires RasEdit!

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

RasEdit — Raster reference file editor for MicroStation

By Eiren Smith

Clearwater, Florida, USA — Axiom, the world’s most experienced developer of time-saving MicroStation solutions, announces the acquisition of the popular MicroStation raster reference file editor, RasEdit, from Mill Creek Systems of Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Axiom will take over all support for existing RasEdit customers and also plans to continue to improve the product.

Easily edit raster images from within the MicroStation vector universe.

RasEdit is an attractive alternative to high-priced raster reference file editors for users who need to manipulate monochrome raster reference files from within MicroStation. RasEdit modifies the attached raster files directly. It includes such direct raster editing features as copy, move and delete based on a fence or a user-defined rectangle. Yes, it can actually delete unneeded portions of a raster image in just one step! RasEdit also includes more advanced features, such as the ability to “stamp” regular MicroStation vector elements — like ellipses, line strings and text — into the raster reference file as raster data.

RasEdit‘s intuitive user interface makes raster reference file editing so simple that it requires little or no training for new users. Configuration for administrators is extremely straightforward, making it very easy to roll RasEdit out at new sites.

According to Eiren Smith, Axiom’s RasEdit product manager, “We’re very proud to add Mill Creek’s outstanding software to our arsenal of MicroStation tools. This acquisition contributes to our overall strategy — to provide more powerful CAD tools to our customers than ever before. We’re really excited to expand our ability to help our MicroStation users with RasEdit.”

Tags:
Posted in Articles, CAD Manager Tools, CAD User Tools | No Comments »

Speed up AutoCAD® production with new vBooks™ training technology!

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Axiom releases first online AutoCAD training series

Clearwater, Florida, USA — Axiom announces a major addition to its LearningBay suite of e-learning courses — the AutoCAD vBook series. vBooks are short, topic-specific reference guides that are designed to get someone up-to-speed on any subject quickly. vBooks are much like traditional books in the printed world, but with some important additions and advantages. vBooks are accessed through a computer interface that looks like a bookshelf. In addition to text, each AutoCAD vBook also contains video and audio to increase comprehension of the subject studied.

One click “pulls” a vBook from the bookshelf.

As soon as the user takes the vBook “off the shelf”, he can begin studying that particular unit or course. The student “turns pages” by navigating through the table of contents on the left. (See screenshot below.) There’s an index that allows users to easily find materials within the book, plus an extensive search feature that students can use to instantly search for and jump to words, phrases or entire subjects.

All vBook pages have audio and video.

LearningBay is already well established in the MicroStation training world, and since many MicroStation users also use AutoCAD, it was a natural extension for Axiom to add AutoCAD training to the LearningBay portfolio. Until the release of vBooks, LearningBay training has focused primarily on MicroStation and MicroStation-related packages such as GEOPAK and InRoads. With vBooks, LearningBay now has a complete series of training options for AutoCAD. This effectively doubles the number of CAD training courses available with LearningBay.

Users can pick from 39 titles — like the one above — in Axiom’s newly released AutoCAD training series.

David McDaniel, Axiom’s Director of Learning Product Development, expressed his excitement about the new courses: “Whatever the training need, Axiom has a solution in LearningBay. In all, we now have six different ways to deliver electronic CAD training courses, including the new vBooks. From large, scalable enterprise software for corporations, all the way down to individual user accounts on a hosted site, LearningBay accommodates everyone.”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Articles, CAD Manager Tools, CAD User Tools | No Comments »

Working with a "glorified etch-a-sketch" – Transportation Manager Ronald McDonald talks about solving MicroStation problems at the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Montgomery, Alabama, USA — Transportation Manager Ronald McDonald has been with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) since it was known as the “Highway Department.” He has also been using MicroStation since it was Intergraph IGDS. He gave us some tips on making MicroStation work easier.

Ronald McDonald — mild-mannered CAD manager by day, but on Halloween… “biker dad.”

MST: What are some of the problems you encounter in your position at ALDOT?
Ron: The usual problems in a government position of keeping the users happy and functional and also keeping management happy and assuring them that the tax dollars we spend are put to good use. I hold the position of Transportation Manager but the working title is listed as “Design Bureau Systems Manager”. The Design Bureau has the largest single user base for CAD applications in ALDOT. My support team tries to keep everything in the Bureau running smoothly. And that includes all our applications, not just CAD. Sometimes it stretches my team a bit thin to try to keep up with so much.
In earlier days when I was more “hands-on” with CAD, FileFixer helped me tremendously in saving time on design file repairs. Now that EdG is a thing of the past, FileFixer is the only game in town for design file repair.

MST: What is something you have learned about working with CAD at the DOT that could help other CAD users?
Ron: One thing I have learned working at ALDOT has been the value of communication. [Communication] is a valuable asset anywhere you work, but especially in this arena. Too many times I learned about someone in the hinterland struggling with a CAD-related problem that had already been solved, or at least addressed, in the central office. Even within the same working sections, there have been times when better communication could have saved a lot of time.

I have noticed that the best users are the ones who know that the computer is merely a tool. It is a “glorified etch-a-sketch” and if you can’t do it with a pencil and paper, then you don’t need to get upset when the computer application (whatever it is) gives you a wrong answer.

Keeping a uniform platform structure definitely has been an improvement over having two or three to support. I have been working with IGDS since 1985. I started with early MicroStation versions in 1988. Trying to make MicroStation V2.x work on a CLIX workstation like IGDS did was a challenge. [Editor's note: CLIX was a version of UNIX developed by Intergraph.] Then trying to get pc versions working at a similar level added to the challenge.

MST: What do you predict will be the “next big thing” in CAD?
Ron: I would predict that true 3D imaging such as holographs would be the next big thing in CAD. The mouse, keyboard and screen would be a thing of the past and the operator or designer would speak the model into existence and it would easily be converted into a viable design product, whatever it may be.

MST: How did you get started with ALDOT?
Ron: I started at what was then the Alabama Highway Department in June 1968, about four days out of Samson High School (in a small south Alabama town). I was on the engineering training program they had at that time. I worked three summers surveying with them. I changed majors while at Auburn University and I resigned from the training program. After graduation from Auburn in August 1972, the job market in my major (radio, TV and film) was a bit thin. I eventually went back to work with Highway, starting back at the bottom again in April 1973, and have been with them since then. So this June, I will celebrate a 40-year association with this department.

MST: Thanks, Ron.

Tags:
Posted in Articles, CAD Manager Tools, CAD User Tools, Interviews | No Comments »

Tips & Tricks — Create your own MicroStation tool box.

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Clearwater, Florida, USA — MicroStation is jam-packed with button-laden tool boxes. Every one of those buttons performs some exact, necessary function. It couldn’t be any other way. The ability to do all of these functions is part of what makes MicroStation one of the greatest pieces of CAD software in the world.

It is common when working on a project, to only need to use a few specific button functions. You might find though, that each button is located on an entirely different tool box. Now, wouldn’t it be nice to have your own tool box that contains all of the functions you need?

How to create your own MicroStation tool box.

  1. Load MicroStation and open any design file.
  2. Go to Workspace|Customize.
  3. From the “Customize” dialog box, make sure the “Tool Boxes” tab is selected. It should be by default.
  4. The “Tool Boxes” tab is broken into two parts. The left side, labeled “Available Tools From”, lists all of the available tool boxes in MicroStation along with each button function in each tool box. Just for fun, scroll down in this list. I bet you didn’t realize there were that many. The right side, labeled “Edit Tool Box”, has a drop-down menu that displays all of the currently available MicroStation tool boxes. Select the drop-down menu and choose the very top option “Create Tool Box…”

    5. The “Customize” dialog box is where you can really make the MicroStation interface your own.

    You can pick from many customization options using the “Customize” dialog box.

  5. Name your tool box whatever you want and press <OK> to accept.
  6. Now you need to populate your tool box with the functions of your choice. Let’s say you want the “Place Line” button in your tool box. Scroll down to “Linear Elements”.

    7. Choose tools in “Available Tools From” panel and load them in your custom tool box by selecting “Copy”.

    “Available Tools From” list. Double-click on “Linear Elements”. Highlight the “Place Line” function and press the <Copy> button. Do this for each function you want added to your tool box.

    You can choose to play with existing tool boxes or create your own hybrid tool box.

    You can name your tool box whatever you want.

  7. Once you are satisfied with the functions you’ve added to your tool box, press <Save>. Your custom tool box isn’t just for one MicroStation session. It is saved just like every other MicroStation tool box and can be loaded or unloaded as such. Customize away!

Tags:
Posted in CAD Manager Tools, CAD User Tools, Tips & Tricks | No Comments »

MicroStation Today — May 2008(Volume 15, Issue 5)

Thursday, 1 May 2008

Click here for back issues.

MicroStation Today — May 2008 (Volume 15, Issue 5)

Download a PDF version of this issue.

To read the pages above, download Adobe®‘s free Acrobat Reader®, if not already installed in your computer.

Posted in Featured, MST Issues | No Comments »