Transferring MicroStation Right-of-Way Lines to MX
This page will explain the process of creating an MX model containing right-of-way information.
MX software versions prior to the 2004 edition SP2 (version 08.05.02.02) are unable to
transfer complex chains, contact a member of the CAD/D staff for a software
upgrade if necessary.
Preparing MX
It is recommended to establish a receiving model and drawing prior to transferring detail from MicroStation.
| In MX, create an empty DPW file with the same name as the copy of the MicroStation right-of-way drawing that you will create later (such as row_transfer.dgn). Create a model called ROW (or PROPOSED ROW) to store the new information. |  |
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Set the model defaults to use the erl.pss and erl.fns style and feature sets. |
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In the Create Model - Defaults panel, with
Lock Style and
Feature Set checked, select the 
button next to the style
set name. The style set should be set to publicstyles\erl.pss.
The feature set for right-of-way information should
update to publicstyles\erl.fns. Click
OK to save this information.
Check
the Chord to Arc Tolerance in MX (Tools > System Parameters...
> General tab). This value determines how MX handles arcs being
transferred. Set it to 0.01 if it is presently higher than that. This value
should only have to be changed once per project.
Exit MX.
Preparing MicroStation
Create a copy of the existing right-of-way drawing before continuing. Transferring the detail to MX will alter the elements on the drawing so you do not want to use the original erl drawing. Enter MicroStation.
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.
Transferring the Information to MX
- With the copy of the right-of-way 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 ROW lines or LA ROW lines. Do not select any text elements. Also, be aware that complex chains and line strings may not transfer properly. It is best to drop these elements before attempting the transfer.
- 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".
- Repeat this process for other features.
- Report on the right-of-way model 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.
- Exit MX and MicroStation.
Attach elevations to ROW model
- Once the strings exist in MX they need to have elevations attached.
- Start with a blank dpw and draw the newly created ROW model.
The
NHDraper add-in can be used to
attach elevations to strings from the triangulation. From the Add-Ins
menu, select Personal add-ins > NHDraper. If this add-in is not
on the pull-down list it must be added. See the Add-In Index
if you need help.- To add elevations to every string in the model, enter a string label of ????. A single string label can also be entered if desired. After selecting string and triangle details, hit the Apply button.
Create the MX Cross-Sections
- Using the CrossSectionViewer, cut a new set of cross-sections over the right-of-way detail model. These sections have to be stored in the same model as other sections for this alignment. If you need help with this process, see MX Cross Sections
- There is an option on the Description pull-down menu for right-of-way sections.
- Note that when the sections are displayed in the CrossSectionViewer the sections defining the right-of-way lines will not appear as you might expect. This is normal. When the macros mentioned below are used to draw the sections they will display properly.
- Once created, this data can then be drawn with the PRELSECT macro for an MX display or the XS-MS macro if it is to be transferred to MicroStation. To activate the detail drawing functionality of these macros, set the variable xsd='' (two single quotes).