Another excellent contribution from fellow Canuck Doug Watt. This WattWare is a set of three macros to simplify the placement of datapoints to absolute X, Y or Z coordinates. These macros are for MicroStation /J.

I wrote these three macros in an effort to make life better in the 3D CADD world. Simply stated, they will allow you to place datapoints to a known absolute X, Y or Z coordinates.

All three macros work with MicroStation /J and don't interfere with any add-on application such as TriForma, Frameworks, PlantSpace etc. They will work in both 2D and 3D files and can work with fences as well as selection sets. Unfortunately they don't work with MicroStation V8 due to internal code changes.

Anyway, these macros were written with AccuDraw in mind, but that's certainly not a prerequisite. For AccuDraw users I recommend editing the X, Y and Z keyins to execute the macros as shown below.

The reason for this is that, if you're like me, you are using the Enter (SmartLock) to lock down on the repective axis anyway so it kind of makes those keyins redundant.

To use these macros, first load them to the folder being pointed to by MS_MACRO and be sure that you've edited shortcut.txt as shown above. Then take a look at the following examples:


To move/copy an element to a different Y-Coordinate:
Select the Move Element or Copy Element
Select the element at the point that needs to go to the correct coordinate.
With AccuDraw active, press the modified Y
Keyin the new Y-Coordinate.
Press Enter
Reset to complete.

To move/copy and element to a different elevation:
Select the Move Element or Copy Element
Select the element at the point that needs to go to the correct coordinate.
With AccuDraw active, press the modified Z
Keyin the new Z-Coordinate.
Press Enter
Reset to complete.

To extend endpoints of multiple elements to a different elevation:
Place a fence around the ends of the elements.
Select the Fence Stretch or Move Element with the correct settings.
Enter a datapoint on an end that needs to go to the correct coordinate.
With AccuDraw active, press the correct modified shortcut.
Keyin the new coordinate.
Press Enter
Reset to complete.

As you can see, these macros can be used in many situations and with several different tools. Although you'll probably find that you'll use them the most with the Move and Copy tools, I encourage you to try them with others as well!


I'd like to thank Jon Summers of LA Solutions for advising on a line of C Expression code which is, of course, the key to the whole thing (God bless 'im!). And to Vic M. for testing and appreciating it.

One last thing, as with all freeware, use at your own risk and be sure to test these macros in a scratch file first.

Enjoy! That's what MicroStation is all about!


This program is supplied as is. AskInga, Bentley Systems Inc., and the author of the program assumes no liability for damages direct, indirect, or consequential, which may result from the use of this program. Use this program at your own risk.

AskInga Article #168