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Prerequisites

Before any of these routines can be used, the alignment that will be used as a reference needs to be a complex chain with tag data attached to specify the starting station.  This data is attached to alignments transferred from MX using the NHAlign add-in.

If the alignment was not created in MX, there are some steps that can be taken so the Station & Offset programs will still work. If the alignment was transferred from MX, skip to the next section.

To create the complex chain, open the alignment drawing and turn off all reference files and all levels on the alignment drawing except the one containing the alignment. 

Issue the Complex Chain command from the main toolbar.  Set the method to automatic.  Click on the beginning of the alignment. Hopefully, you can issue a series of left mouse clicks in a blank section of the drawing and see the alignment being constructed. If this does not work as expected you may need to adjust the gap to a higher number or change the method to manual and select each individual section.

Once the alignment is constructed the tag data needs to be assigned. Select the Attach Tag command from the main toolbar and choose the alignment tag set. Select the newly created complex chain.  Add the data for MX label and start station.

Save the alignment drawing and open the drawing you wish to work on. Attach the alignment drawing as a reference file.

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The Station-Offset macro

To start the macro, select Station-Offs from the list of basic macros (Utilities -> Macros -> MicroStation BASIC) or choose Station Offset from the NHDOT menu.  Then hit on the alignment that the following commands will be referenced from.  Select this alignment and hit another point in a blank area of the drawing to confirm the selection.  If the alignment is set up properly, the dialog box at the right will appear.  A brief explanation of each command follows.  For full details click on the link provided in each description.

Place Bound is used to add annotation to an existing or proposed bound.

Place Flag is used for flagging a property or easement corner.

Place Active Cell will prompt for a station and offset to plot the current active cell. 

Select/View Point will display the station and offset of a point selected on the drawing.

Note: If your Default Tool (Workspace > Preferences > Look and Feel > Default Tool) is set to None, this program may terminate abnormally.

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Related Page

MicroStation v8 Programs