Plan Cut Sheets in MicroStation

Part I

Generate The Match Lines
Create the Source Drawing

Part II

Straight Line Projects (for projects with more than one Clip Boundary per cut sheet)

Summary

Part I describes the procedures for preparing the project for the cut sheet process. Much of the work described in Part I is only done once per project. In short, 

• a drawing is created (MTH) to store closed elements representing the area covered by each cut sheet. 

• a base cut sheet drawing (B00) is created.  All other drawing files containing data that will be included on the cut sheets are referenced to this drawing. 

• the base cut sheet drawing is copied to create each cut sheet drawing. 

Part II describes the process of creating the individual sheets from the seed drawing (B00).

In this documentation, prjct in drawing names indicates the project number.
 

Part I

Generate The Match Lines

The Match Line drawing and the source drawing should reside in a "CutSheet" folder under the "Prj" folder. This process is documented as if the user was setting up ROW plans first.  If, for any reason, the user is setting up Wetlands or Construction plans first, replace ROW with the respective plan type.  The Level Map will refer to prjctB00.dgn as a generic “base drawing” for ROW, Wetlands and Construction sheets.

• Using Microsoft's Windows Explorer, create a "CutSheet" folder in your projects "Prj" folder.  Then under the CutSheet folder, create a “ROW” folder.
• Open MicroStation.  Create and open prjctMTH.dgn in the "Cut Sheet" folder. When creating the new file, note which seed file is being used. Typically, metric projects will use nhseedm2.dgn and Imperial projects will use nhseedf2.dgn.
• Reference all the project plan detail drawings including the alignment drawing using the NHRef macro.
• Insure Nest Depth is set at Zero, go to:  Workspace=>Preferences=>References
• Change the default stepping angle to 5 degrees, go to:
  Settings =>Design File =>Axis => Increment => 5
• Save Settings and Save the file.
• If you are using a 3-D file, make sure you are in a Top View orientation
• Fit View and Zoom as necessary.
• Attach the following cell library: 
  Elements=>Cells=>File=>Attach=> M:\CADD\v8Workspace\standards\cell\borders.cel.
• Select the desired border for Placement (usually the "CUTSH" cell).
• Place a border cell near the project's alignment. Make sure the active scale is set to the project's scale: 240/600 (Imperial) or 250/500 (metric). 
• Continuing with the current drawing, move, copy and rotate the border cell (recommended in 5 degree increments) about the project to determine all the relative sheet positions. Overlap each border allowing room for matchlines at even stations.
• Create all the necessary match lines. Refer to the Level Map (MTH) for the appropriate settings. The matchline can be created by drawing a line over the alignment tick and using the Extend Line tool to make it longer. Or, the tick can be copied and scaled to be much larger. If you choose this method, make sure to correct the element's level, color, weight, and style.

A boundary needs to be created in order to clip out detail beyond the sheet's match lines and border. Since fences cannot be recalled, the clipping boundary fence will be generated from an element. The only purpose of this element is to be a source element for the sheet clipping fence, and it can be reused if necessary. 

• Create a closed element for every sheet area using Smartline by snapping to the relevant match lines and other points within the border cell to define the area to be included on the sheet. Use AccuDraw to take advantage of the drawing plane control. Additional data points should be used to encompass the desired sheet details. Hit on the first point again to close the element.
• After all boundary elements have been created, fit view and rotate the view as desired.
• Save Settings and Save the file.

At this point you will have a "prjctMTH.dgn" file containing all border cells and boundary elements. While working in individual cut sheet drawings, this file will be attached as a reference. The border cells and boundary elements can be used to determine view rotations of each sheet. When adding notes or other text to the roll plan drawings, it is advisable to have the MTH drawing as a reference to ensure that newly added text is within the boundary areas.

Create the Source Drawing

This section references the match line drawing "prjctMTH.dgn" to the Source drawing "prjctB00.dgn". The "prjctB00.dgn" drawing will become the seed file that is used to create all the cut sheets.

Prior to creating the source drawing, compare the drawings in the project directory to the list of plan drawing names. Create any missing drawings that might be needed during the project's life. Make sure the proper seed file is used when the drawings are created.

• In MicroStation, create prjctB00.dgn. Make sure the proper seed file is used to create the drawing. This drawing will be the seed for all the cut sheets.
• Run the NHREF program to attach standard reference files.
• Attach any other reference files not included in the standard list.

For the border’s text (CUTSH cell) to view properly, filters must be imported through Level Manager.  The project’s .pcf file supplies the information (ie: project town, project number, sheet totals, etc) for these variables through the NHDOT pen table (nhdot-pen.tbl).  

• Select the cut sheet border cell "CUTSH" (Elements=>Cells=>File=Attach=> borders.cel) and place the cell somewhere on the drawing. Location isn't important as this point; this cell is only used during this step and will be deleted later.
• Open Level Manager.
• Be sure either the prjctB00.dgn or All Levels are highlighted in the left column. 
• Select Levels>Import
  
• Under List Files of Type, choose MicroStation Library Files (*.dgnlib). It may be necessary to navigate to: M:/Cadd/V8Workspace/Standards/dgnlib/ to find this file.
• Select BorderFilters.dgnlib.
• Select OK.  The Border Filters are now loaded.
• Open Level Display, highlight prjctB00.dgn.              
• Select the view number of the window where the cut sheet is located.
• Change the Level/Filter toggle to Filter.
• Highlight the filter of choice - in this case - CS:Hwy:ROW.
  Note:  If the desired information doesn't show up on your cut sheet, unhighlight and highlight the filter again (there seems to be a glitch somewhere).
  Also Note:  If any additional elements were added to this drawing, their level will have to be turned on (due to turning all levels off during this process).  
• Change the Levels/Filters toggle back to Levels.
• Delete the cut sheet border cell placed earlier.
• Fit View and rotate as desired.
• Save Settings and Save the drawing.

Click for  Filter Designations.

This process is continued in Generating Cut Sheets - Part II