To open the Level Manager dialog box
Creating and deleting levels
To create a new level
Alternative Method — To create a new level
The MS_LEVEL_SEED_LEVEL_NAME configuration variable can be set to the name of a seed level. This can be a level in a the master file or a level in a DGNLIB library file. The MS_LEVEL_CREATE_FROM_SEED_ATTRIBUTE_LIST configuration variable can be set to control the attributes of the seed level that are copied into a new level. |
In MicroStation versions prior to 8.1.2, when a new level was created in a design file, that level was automatically set to ON in all design files that referenced the original design file. From 8.1.2 on, the MS_REF_NEWLEVELDISPLAY configuration variable can be used to control how referenced files display in the master file. If the variable is set to 1, newly created levels appear in all files that reference the master file. If the variable is set to 0 or not set (default), newly created levels do not appear in any files referenced to the master file. Setting this variable only affects the behavior of levels of DGN files that are created in MicroStation V8.1.2 and later versions. DWG files and earlier versions of MicroStation DGN files do not store the necessary creation time of the level. |
To copy levels to a different file
To delete a level
To delete all unused levels
To delete all unused levels with a key-in
- Key in DELETE UNUSED LEVELS.
To import levels
To export levels
Updating selected levels
To update selected levels
To update selected levels in multiple target files
Level Usage tab
Level Usage tab of the Level Properties dialog box |
To view the Level Usage of a level
Modifying level attributes
An asterisk (*) appears in the Level Manager for a library level or an attachment level, when one or more attribute is modified so it is different from its source. |
In DWG workmode, the level symbology overrides are disabled. All elements are displayed with ByLevel element symbology. |
To rename a level
To control symbology by level
- From the Level Manager dialog box Level list, select the desired level or range of levels.
- From the Symbology options menu, select ByLevel.
- Adjust the controls by clicking the desired column.
The Color, Style, and Weight controls are similar to those in the Attributes tool box (see Setting the Active Element Attributes). - Click OK to accept the change.
- Repeat steps 2–3 for each column you wish to change.
To override the display of level symbology
To override symbology on levels that exist in multiple files, see Toggling Level Symbology in Level Manager. |
To adjust level properties
To sort levels by column headings
Defining and deleting filters
- The string expression format is similar to the format supported in the MS-Windows Explorer's Search dialog. In addition, set based operations such as | (or), & (and) , and – (minus) have been added. String expressions are valid for the Name, Description, File, and Logical columns in the Level Manager dialog box. The following table shows examples of string expressions.Matches String(s)levwith the substring “lev”“lev”“lev” (exactly)*1ending with “1”lev*starting with “lev”1 | 2with the character “1” or “2”1 & 2with the characters “1” and “2”.1 – 2with the character “1” but not “2”*1 | *2 | *3ending with “1”, “2”, or “3”((1 | 2) – 3)with the character “1” or “2”, but not the character “3”“level 1” | “level 2”“level 1” or “level 2” (exactly)
- Integer expressions are applied to integer numbers. For example, 1, 10, 15–20. The comparison operators >, >=, <, <=, and != are also supported on integer expressions. Integer expressions are valid for the Number, Color, Style, Weight and Elements in the Level Manager dialog box. The following table shows examples of integer expressions.Matches Integer Value(s)1,101 and 1010, 15–2010, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20<20less than 20<=20less than or equal to 20>10, <20greater than 10 or less than 20>10, <20, !=15greater than 10 and less than 20 but not equal to 15
- Boolean expressions are applied to check boxes. Boolean expressions can take a value of 0 or 1. Boolean expressions are valid for the Global, Lock, Used, and Library in the Level Manager dialog box. The following table shows Boolean expressions.Matches Boolean Value0off1on
In the next-to-last sample string expression above, notice the use of “(” and “)” to combine the set operators. |
To define a named filter
To define a filter “on-the-fly” using the Level Manager dialog box
To combine filters using a filter group in the Level Manager dialog box
To define a filter “on-the-fly” using the Level Display dialog box
To save an on-the-fly filter to a named filter from Level Display
To delete a named filter
Showing/Hiding columns of information
To toggle on/off columns of information
MicroStation 101: V8 Level Manager
by Karen Fugle - 03 February 2004
How do I open it?
Settings > Level Manager or by using the Level Manager tool in the Primary Tool box.
Or you can click on the Active Level display I the status line at the bottom of your screen.
Alternatively, if you are in Level Display (Ctrl E) you can right click on the screen to bring up some options. One of them is Level Manager.
How do I make a level current?
Highlight the level and double click on it
or go to Levels>Set Active.
Another way is to highlight the level and right click on it. This will bring up another tool bar…
You will see the level change in the bottom left of the dialog box.
How do I turn a Level on or off?
Use Level Display (Ctrl E) for turning levels on or off.
The tick mark in the Level Manager Display column in indicates that the level is on and visible in ALL windows. Instead of turning a level off here use Level Display (ctrl E) as it is a much easier way to control whether levels are on or off.
So how do I create a new level?
The first two tools in the Level Manager tool bar are Create New Level and Delete Level.
Your CAD Manager has the ability to disable these functions as your company may have a standard list of levels to use or it may use the new AEC (UK) levels as the company standard, as we do.
You can view the different levels for each reference file by expanding on the “tree” (like Windows Explorer) then click on each individual reference file to view the levels.
You will notice one extra new level called the Default Level. This level is necessary and cannot be deleted. Our Default Level is the equivalent to AutoCAD’s layer 0.
Do not draw on this level.
(NOTE: You may also notice a level called Defpoints when looking at dwg’s. This level is like a construction level and will NOT plot.)
Clicking on All Levels will show all the levels of the Active file plus all the reference files.
If you wish to use this then it’s a good idea to remember to give each reference file a Logical Name (in the reference file dialog box.). This way when you view All Levels you will be able to see which reference file you are looking at from the Logical column (example below – partition levels and Grid levels.)
Can I change the way I view the levels?
Can you see the small triangle next to the column Logical in the example above? The triangle is facing down, this means you are seeing the levels in descending order. Click the column heading again and the triangle is facing up and you are viewing the levels in ascending order. You can click on any of the column headers to get a different view for the levels (e.g. click the Color header to view the levels by ascending or descending colours).
I think I am missing some columns!
One of the new functions in V8 is the ability to hide any tools or columns that you don’t wish to see.
If you right click on the column header a toolbar will appear. You can see the ticks are next to the columns that I can see: name, number etc. To turn columns on or off simply tick or un-tick them.
This way you can customise the level manager to show just what you need to see.
What about the symbology?
There are many ways to use symbology and it can be a very confusing subject. If your company maps its colours (+ line weights or style) to a certain level it will most likely be setting these colours (+ line weights or style) “Bylevel” in Level Manager. If you set the symbology to ByLevel you will see all the mapped colours (+ line weights or style). When you now choose your level the Bylevel settings will be set along with it.
If you change your symbology to Overrides you will see a different set of colours or no colours at all. Here you can choose your own colours that will “override” the Bylevel colour. You must have a tick in the Level Symbology box in the View Attributes (ctrl B) dialog box for the overrides to display.
Huh?
Well, in my example below all the colours are mapped in the Bylevel display so that when I draw on a level the colour is automatically set.
If I switch to overrides you can see all my colours are set to 0. If I tick on Symbology in View Attributes (ctrl B) then my drawing will all turn to colour 0, effectively overriding my Bylevel colours.
What about the Levels pull down?
Highlight a level to use, then one of the tools under the Levels pull down.
As mentioned above use the Set Active to make a level active.
The Properties tool brings up a Properties dialog box for your highlighted level. This is another way of showing you all the level properties.
There are two tabs, General and Styles which set the level properties.