Transferring MicroStation Alignments to MX 

This page will explain the process of creating and transferring a MicroStation alignment to a MX model.

MX software lacks the ability to transfer complex chains.

Limitations

1. Spiral curves do not transfer from MicroStation to MX.
2. 2D MicroStation is highly recommended for creating MicroStation alignments.  First and foremost, elevations do not transfer to MX.  Second, it's far more difficult to maintain/insure tangency between MicroStation elements.  Contact a member of the Cad/d staff for assistance if non-tangency is required.

Preparing MX

It is recommended to establish a receiving model and drawing prior to transfer from MicroStation. 

In MX, create an empty DPW file (12345msali.dpw) with the same name as the existing MicroStation alignment drawing file (12345msali.dgn).  Create a model called MicroStation Alignment to store the new information.  

Set the model defaults to use the mxroad.pss and mxroad.fns style and feature sets.

On the Defaults tab, with Lock Style and Feature Set checked, select the button next to the style set name.  The style set should be set to publicstyles\mxroad.pss.  The feature set for alignment models should update to publicstyles\mxroad.fns.  Click OK to save this information.  Exit MX.

Preparing MicroStation

If the MicroStation alignment drawing file already exists, then generate a back-up copy of it before continuing.  Open this drawing in MicroStation.

If the MicroStation alignment drawing file does not exist, then enter MicroStation and create a new drawing with the appropriate seed file named 12345msali.dgn.

The global origin may need to be reset on some metric projects.  To check the current value, enter GO=? in the Key-in field.  The Status box in the bottom of the MicroStation window should read GO=500,500,10000 for 3D drawings, or GO=500,500 for 2D drawings.  If it doesn't, correct the origin by entering GO=-500,-500,-10000 (GO=-500,-500 for 2D drawings) in the Key-in area.  Hit the Reset button to complete the command.

The proper level library should be attached to the MicroStation drawing.  From the Level Manager dialog box, select Levels -> Attach... to obtain the Attach Level Library panel.  Choose the level library (*.csv) that goes with the newly created drawing.  For alignment drawings, this is typically ALI.csv.  Detach all other level libraries.  Next, click on the Update Levels button (the rightmost of the 3 buttons), this will set the correct default values for each level in the drawing.

Generating MicroStation Alignments

Use QA Input to set the standard drawing attributes for the alignment type.  Refer to Working With GDM Rule Files for details on QA Input.

By default, QA Input starts the Smartline tool.  When Smartline is used to place more than one element in succession, MicroStation automatically assembles the resulting graphics into a Complex Chain.  Only Complex Chains transfer to MX intact.  Otherwise each MicroStation element will transfer to an individual MX alignment string, in other words, resulting in a segmented alignment.

The most important consideration when building the MicroStation Complex Chain alignment with the Smartline tool is to maintain tangency between elements.  Complex Chains with angle points do not transfer to MX.  Contact a member of the Cad/d staff for assistance if non-tangency is required.

Alignments with spiral curves do not transfer from MicroStation to MX.

Transferring the Information to MX

• With the alignment drawing open in MicroStation, start MX in MicroStation.  To start MX in MicroStation, hit the F3 function key (NHDOT users), or load two MDL Applications (SP.ma & MfM.ma).  If you are not a regular MX in MicroStation user, please read this caution statement.  Make sure the project and .dpw files are correct. Expect to be prompted to save and/or compress the drawing, possibly more than once.  If the MX Toolbox does not appear, select View => MX Toolbox from the MX menu.
• From the MX Toolbox, select the model to contain the new strings.  This is the model that was created in the Preparing MX section of this document.
• See MX Toolbox for more details about this feature.
• Select the elements to be transferred using PowerSelector or Select by Attributes. Only select one type of feature at a time such as the Mainline Alignment or Secondary Alignment. Do not select any text elements.
• To transfer the details to MX, select the feature from the toolbox list next to the model name.

• There will be a prompt asking if you want to convert the selected elements to the chosen feature. Click "Yes".
• If all goes well, the Station Details panel will appear.

This panel reports the resulting master alignment string name.  An accompanying geometry string is generated with each master alignment string transferred.  This panel also allows the setting of the Alignment Start station and the station Interval.  Select OK to complete the transfer.  This panel will reappear for every Complex Chain being transferred.

• Report on the alignment model (MicroStation Alignment) to determine if the process was successful.  MX software versions prior to SP2 are unable to transfer complex chains, contact a member of the Cad/d staff for a software upgrade if necessary.
• Use the RenameM MX Add-in to rename the master and geometry strings to the proper MX Design String Naming Convention.  Refer to the MX Add-In Index for details on MX Add-Ins.
• Repeat this process for other alignments.
• Exit MX and MicroStation.