AutoCAD and Microstation Terminology
1,665 viewsAutoCAD and Microstation are both CAD (Computer Aided Design) applications with some similarities, but both are using different terminologies.
And one obvious difference to these two CAD applications is the way a user using it. In AutoCAD, a user can key-in a command by typing it in a command prompt. But in Microstation a user mostly use these CAD applications by clicking on the icons.
Anyway, just look the table below it explain the many different terms that are used in AutoCAD and its counterpart the Microstation.
Microstation to AutoCAD terms:
| Accusnap | Snap | Drafting tool for automatic snap |
| ACS | UCS | Coordinate system acronyms ACS=Auxillary Coordinate System UCS=User Coordinate System |
| Accusnap | Snap | Drafting tool for automatic snap |
| Bylevel setting | BYLAYER setting | Setting that controls whether color line weight, and line style are set for each level (layer) |
| Cell libraries | N/A | No reference in AutoCAD terminology |
| Cell: shared and normal | Blocks | In AutoCAD, all blocks behave like shared cells. There is no reference in AutoCAD terminology to a normal cell. |
| Design model | Model space | DWG workmode and AutoCAD only allow for a single model. Microstation DGN workmode allows for multiple models. |
| DGN file | DWG file | Native file format for each program |
| Drop element | Explode | Command to demote element/object types to lower level. Example cell/blocks can be demoted to geometry. |
| Elements Attributes | Properties | Name for characteristics of elements/objects |
| Fit view | Zoom extents | Command for zooming in on all elements currently in the drawing |
| Handles | Grips | Vertices on geometry that can be selected and manipulated. |
| Key-in | Command Line | Place for entering commands/variables manually. |
| Levels | Layers | Organizational structure used to control the appearance of objects in a drawing. |
| Line Styles | Linetypes | Setting used to control the appearance of the line work in a drawing. |
| Merge into Master | Bind XREF | Inserting an external reference into the current drawing. |
| Message Center | Text Window | Place for viewing text messages from program feedback. |
| Parasolid | ACIS | Native 3D modelling kernel for each program. |
| Patterning | Hatching | Filling of a defined area of a defined pattern. |
| Pen tables | Plot styles | Used to control how line work appears when printing or plotting. |
| References | References:Attachments, Overlays, andUnderlays | References to the current drawing are stored externally, which keeps the file size down, but still allowing for access to the geometry for drafting and plotting. In microstation, you can have references with live Nesting or No Nesting. |
| Seed file | Template drawing file | Files are used as a starting point for newly created files and store commonly used settings. |
| Sheet model | Drawing layout(paper space) | Commonly used to control the output of a drawingfor plotting. |
| Smart Line | Polyline | Multi-segmented lines |
| Tags | Attributes | Element used to store textual information in a cell (block) |
| View | Viewport | Used to control the visibility of different sections of a drawing. |
| View attributes | Drafting settings | There is no reference in AutoCAD terminology. Similar options can be found in the taskbar/drafting settings area of AutoCAD. |
| Working units | Drawing units | Used to control command input values that are dependent on unit values. |
So thats it, thats all for now.
June 18th, 2009 at 3:25 am |
hello… so happy to find you here… this is helpful information link for AutoCAD - Microstation Users..
I’m Jet, I’m using AutoCAD for 8 years (Macau, Hong Kong & China). Presently, I’m working here in HK, now I have one project in Singapore using Microstation V8 XM Ed.
I have one comments, why in your list specified that the CELL LIBRARIES in Microstation - no reference in AutoCAD, as I know CELL LIBRARIES is a DESIGN CENTER in AutoCAD (in “Ctrl 2″ command)..
I hope my suggestion is Helpful, and it could help also to myself if there is any comments also to mine..
Best Regards to all..
Jetzkie
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:32 am |
Thanks for your correction jetzkie, I actually haven’t familiar with the latest version of microstation. The last time I had use the microstation was I think 6 yrs ago. So its not surprising if I didn’t know some of the component in microstation.