WORK FASTER WITH

SHORTCUTS IN MICROSTATION

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Function Keys ............................................................................ 3

Keytips ........................................................................................ 5

Keyboard Shortcuts ................................................................. 6

AccuDraw Shortcuts ................................................................ 7

AutoCAD Commands and Workflows .................................. 9

Note: Shortcuts listed in this document are the default shortcuts available in MicroStation CONNECT Edition.
These are customizable as per individual needs. To learn more on how to customize read:
• Customizing Ribbon Group Pop-ups
• Modify Function Key Definition
• Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

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FUNCTION KEYS

Key Action Key Action

F1 Opens Help for the active dialog. Ctrl+F1 Activates the first tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
default is to display the Models dialog.
F2 Displays the keytips for tabs and the quick access toolbar.
Ctrl+F2 Activates the second tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
F3 Displays the keytips of tools inside the currently selected tab. default is to display the References dialog.
F4 Sends input focus to the ribbon search. Ctrl+F3 Activates the third tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
default is to display the Raster Manager dialog.
F5 Displays the View Attributes dialog.
Ctrl+F4 Activates the fourth tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
F6 Opens the Saved Views dialog.
default is to display the Point Clouds dialog.
F7 Displays the Keyboard Shortcuts menu.
Ctrl+F5 Activates the fifth tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
F8 Turns on or off the display of the grid in the open view. default is to display the Saved Views dialog.

F9 Sends input focus to the Key-in window if it is docked or Ctrl+F6 Activates the sixth tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
open. Opens the Key-in window if it is not already open. default is to display the Level Manager dialog.

F10 Sends input focus to the Tool Settings window if it is docked Ctrl+F7 Activates the seventh tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
or open. Opens the Tool Settings window if it is not already default is to display the Level Display dialog.
open.
Ctrl+F8 Activates the eighth tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
F11 Sends input focus to the AccuDraw window if it is docked default is to display the Cell Library dialog.
or open. Activates AccuDraw if it is not active and opens the
Ctrl+F9 Activates the ninth tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
AccuDraw window.
default is to display the Auxiliary Coordinates dialog.
F12 Sends input focus to home.
Ctrl+F10 Activates the tenth tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
Alt+F8 Opens the Macros dialog. default is to display the Explorer dialog.

Ctrl+F11 Activates the eleventh tool in the Primary Tools toolbox. The
default is to open or close Details dialog.

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FUNCTION KEYS Continued

Key Action
CShift+F1 Activates the first tool in the Attributes toolbox.
The default is to display the active element template.

Shift+F2 Activates the second tool in the Attributes toolbox.

The default is to display the Active Level list box.

Shift+F3 Activates the third tool in the Attributes toolbox.

The default is to display the Active Color dialog.

Shift+F4 Activates the fourth tool in the Attributes toolbox.

The default is to display the Active Line Style list box.

Shift+F5 Activates the fifth tool in the Attributes toolbox.

The default is to display the Active Line Weight list box.

Shift+F6 Activates the sixth tool in the Attributes toolbox.

The default is to display the Active Element Transparency
list box.

Shift+F7 Activates the seventh tool in the Attributes toolbox.

The default is to display the Active Element Priority list box.

Shift+F8 Activates the eighth tool in the Attributes toolbox.

Shift+F9 Activates the ninth tool in the Attributes toolbox (only when
model is 2D after running Show All for Attributes tool box).

Shift+F10 Opens Ribbon Group Option Menu.

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KEYTIPS
GENERAL GENERAL WORKFLOW MODELING WORKFLOW
Keytips Quick Access Toolbar Keytips Ribbon Tabs Keytips Ribbon Tabs
F2+1 Workflow/ set the active workflow F2+F File F2+F File
F2+2 Select V8i Mode F2+H Home F2+H Home
F2+3 Open Existing File F2+T Insert F2+R Curves
F2+4 Save F2+A Annotate F2+S Solids
F2+5 Save Settings F2+C Parametric F2+U Surfaces
F2+6 Compress options F2+V View F2+M Mesh
F2+7 Undo
F2+L Manage F2+O Content
F2+8 Redo
F2+Z Analyze F2+Z Analyze
F2+9 Set Mark
F2+R Curves F2+C Constraints
F2+01 Print
F2+D Drawing Aids F2+L Utilities
F2+O Content F2+D Drawing Aids
DRAWING WORKFLOW F2+S Help
Keytips Ribbon Tabs
F2+F File VISUALIZATION WORKFLOW
F2+H Home
Keytips Ribbon Tabs
F2+A Annotate
F2+F File
F2+T Attach
F2+Z Analyze F2+H Home

F2+R Curves F2+V View

F2+C Constraints F2+A Animate

F2+L Utilities F2+D Drawing Aids
F2+D Drawing Aids F2+C Collaborate
F2+O Content F2+S Help
F2+H Help
F2 +V View
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F2 + C Collaborate
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

Shortcut Group/tools Menu ACCESSING QUICK TOOLS ACCESSING QUICK TOOLS

<Spacebar> Popups – opens frequently USING Q USING [
used ribbon groups and
ribbon tools. Shortcut Tools Shortcut Tools
<Q+1> Attributes [+6 Attributes
<Q> Opens Quick Tools Menu
<Q+2> Primary [+7 Primary
<[> Opens Quick Tools Menu <Q+3> Selection [+8 Selection
<Q+4> Placement [+9 Placement
<Shift+Alt+right-click> Displays keytips for tools
in the View Tab <Q+5> Manipulate [+0 Manipulate
<Q+6> Modify [+ - Modify
<Q+7> Groups [+ = Groups
<Q+Q> Select [+Y Mirror
<Q+W> Move [+U Scale
<Q+E> Copy [+I Rotate
<Q+R> Rotate [+O Copy
<Q+T> Scale [+P Move
<Q+Y> Mirror [+T Delete
<Q+U> Delete [+[ Select
<Q+A> Measure [+D Measure
<Q+S> Text [+F Text
<Q+D> Dimensioning [+G Dimensioning
<Q+F> Patterns [+H Detailing
<Q+G> Detailing [+J Patterns
<Q+H> Accudraw [+K AccuDraw
<Q+J> Snaps [+L Snaps
<Q+K> Locks [+; Locks
<Q+L> View Tools [+’ View Tools
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ACCUDRAW SHORTCUTS

Key Effect Key Effect

<Enter> Smart Lock - In Rectangular coordinates, locks X to 0 if the <E> Rotates between three main planes: top, front, and side (3D
pointer is on the drawing plane y-axis or Y to 0 if the pointer is only). This also works when your original plane is an ACS or
on the x-axis. In Polar coordinates, locks Angle to 0°, 90°, -90°, context rotation, so you do not have to use RX, RY to rotate to
or 180° if the pointer is on a drawing plane axis or otherwise a 90° plane.
locks Distance to its last entered value.
<X> Switches the lock status for the X value.
<M> Switches between Rectangular and Polar coordinates.
<Y> Switches the lock status for the Y value.
<O> Moves the drawing plane origin to the current pointer
position. <Z> Switches the lock status for the Z value.

<V> Rotates the drawing plane to align with the view axes. <D> Switches the lock status for the Distance value.
Pressing this key, a second time restores context-sensitive <A> Switches the lock status for the Angle value.
rotation.
<L, I> Locks the current index state. If an axis or distance is not
<T> Rotates the drawing plane to align with the axes in a standard indexed, indexing is disabled. If an axis or distance is indexed,
Top view. Pressing this key, a second time restores context- it is locked. The effect is temporary, lasting until a data point
sensitive rotation. is entered or the shortcut is run again. This is useful if you
<F> Rotates the drawing plane to align with the axes in a standard need to index to one axis but not the other, or to enter a data
Front view. Pressing this key, a second time restores context- point very close to an axis but not on the axis.
sensitive rotation. <L, P> Switches the ACS Plane and ACS Plane Snap locks, and the
<S> Rotates the drawing plane to align with the axes in a standard Grid view attribute for all views.
Side view. Pressing this key, a second time restores context- <L, A> Switches the ACS Plane lock.
sensitive rotation.
<L, S> Switches the ACS Plane snap lock.
<B> Rotates the drawing plane to align with the active ACS, or if
you set up a rotation in the dialog, it will return you to that <L, Z> Switches the Sticky Z lock, which is used in conjunction with
rotation. In a new file (where you haven’t used an ACS yet) it the ACS Plane Snap lock to force a series of snap points to lie
will be the rotation of the view. on the active ACS’ XY plane (Z=0).

<R, Q> Used to quickly and temporarily rotate the drawing plane. The
procedure is described in the Rotate Quick keyboard shortcut.

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ACCUDRAW SHORTCUTS Continued

Key Effect Key Effect

<R, A> Used to permanently rotate the drawing plane. Because it <G, T> Moves focus to the Tool Settings window.
rotates the current ACS, this rotation will still be active after
<G, K> Opens (or moves focus to) the Key-in window
the tool in use is exited. If on, the tool setting Use Current
Origin causes the drawing plane origin to be used as the <G, S> Opens (or moves focus to) the AccuDraw Settings dialog
x-axis origin, thereby eliminating the need to enter an extra
data point. Of course, in many cases it is desirable to be <G, A> Opens the Get ACS dialog, which lets you select a saved
able to define the x-axis origin at a different location than the Auxiliary Coordinate System.
drawing plane origin. <W, A> Opens the Write to ACS dialog, which lets you save the
<R, C> Rotates the drawing plane to the current ACS. drawing plane alignment as an ACS.

<R, E> Rotates the drawing plane to match the orientation of a <P> Opens the Data Point Key-in dialog for entering a single data
selected element. point.

<R, V> Rotates the active view to match the current drawing plane. <M> Opens the Data Point Key-in dialog for entering multiple data
points.
<R, X> Rotates the drawing plane 90° about its x-axis.
<I> Activates Intersect snap mode.
<R, Y> Rotates the drawing plane 90° about its y-axis.
<N> Activates Nearest snap mode.
<R, Z> Rotates the drawing plane 90° about its z-axis.
<C> Activates Center snap mode.
<?> Opens the AccuDraw Shortcuts window.
<K> Opens the Keypoint Snap Divisor dialog, which is used to set
<~> Changes a control in the tool settings dialog (shortcut is the Snap Divisor for keypoint snapping.
~, usually right below the <Esc> key — there is no need to
press the <Shift> key). It finds the first enabled control in <H, A> Suspends AccuDraw for the current tool operation. Selecting
the tool settings dialog that is an option menu or a check a new tool, or entering a Reset re-enables AccuDraw.
box. If it is an option menu it selects the next valid value. If <H, S> Turns AccuSnap on or off.
it is a check box it switches it from off to on or vice versa.
For instance, if you are drawing a SmartLine and the focus <H, U> Suspends AccuSnap for the current tool operation. Selecting
is in the AccuDraw window, you can press the <~> key a new tool, or entering a Reset re-enables AccuSnap.
and it switches to arcs without moving the focus from the <Q> Deactivates AccuDraw.
AccuDraw window.

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS
AutoCAD users feel at home with MicroStation as it offers the following features to ensure
a seamless migration for users upgrading their workflows to Bentley:
• AutoCAD commands supported as Key-ins

AutoCAD Command AutoCAD MicroStation Key-in Description

Command shortcut

ALIGN AL ALIGN 3D Select objects to align

CAMERA CAM CAMERA SETUP Opens the Place Camera tool

CTABLESTYLE CT PLACE TABLE & TABLE SETTING Sets the name of the current table style
SEED BYNAME <SeedName>

ADCENTER ADC DIALOG EXPLORER OPEN Opens Explorer

PROPERTIES CH DIALOG PROPERTIES OPEN Opens Properties dialog to change the properties

DIMARC DAR DIMCREATE ANGULAR ARCSIZE Creates arc dim., select arc or pline arc segment

DIMCENTER DCE DIMCREATE CENTER MARK Creates the center mark or the centerlines of
circles and arcs

DIMCONTINUE DCO DIMCREATE LINEAR SIZE Creates continuous dimension

ATTIPEDIT ATI EDIT TAGS Selects tags to edit

DIMBASELINE DBA DIMCREATE LINEAR STACKED Selects the start dim. To continue stacked

ARC A PLACE ARC ICON Places arc

CYLINDER CYL PLACE CYLINDER ICON Places cylinder

CHECKSTANDARDS CHK STANDARDSCHECKER DIALOG Opens the Standards Checker

MEASURE ME MEASURE Select objects to measure

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Command AutoCAD MicroStation Key-in Description

Command shortcut

3DWALK 3DW NAVIGATE CUSTOM WALK 3d walk

3DMOVE 3M MOVE ELEMENT 3d move

3DROTATE 3R ROTATE ICON 3d rotate

3DNAVIGATE 3DWALK NAVIGATE VIEW 3d navigate

DIMEDIT DED MODIFY ELEMENT Edits dim. text or dim. line

OSNAP OS DIALOG ACCUSNAP Invokes the Drafting Settings dialog

for object snaps

MSPACE MS MODEL ACTIVE <ModelName> Switches from paper space to a

model space viewport

IMPORT IMP IMPORT Imports files of different formats into

the current drawing

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD commands (with the DWG prefix) that you can use in MicroStation. Alternatively, you can use a command prefix
plus an alias from a PGP file to define shortcuts to these commands.

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG 3DFACE Places a face. Key-in: PLACE SHAPE ICON

DWG 3DPOLY Places a line. Key-in: PLACE LINE CONSTRAINED

DWG ARC Places an arc. Key-in: PLACE ARC ICON

DWG AREA <OBJECT | Add | POINTS> Measures area and perimeter. Key-ins: MEASURE AREA ELEMENT, MEASURE
AREA UNION , MEASURE AREA POINTS
If set to Object, measures the area of an element.
If set to Add, measures the area of an area bounded by
the union of two or more closed planar elements.
If set to Points (default), measures the planar area with
its vertices defined by a series of data points.

DWG ARRAY Copies an element many times to create an array. Key-in: ARRAY ICON

DWG ATTDEF Defines tags. Key-in: DIALOG TAGS SETS

DWG ATTEDIT Modifies values for tags. Key-in: EDIT TAGS

DWG AUNITS <0 | 1 | 2 | 3> Sets the units for angles. 0 = decimal degrees.
1 = degrees/minutes/seconds. 2 = gradians. 3 = radians. —

DWG AUPREC <#> Sets the number of decimal places for angle units. —

DWG BASE <x,y> Sets the insertion base point for the current model. —
The insertion base point is used when the model is
referenced into another model.

DWG BHATCH Defines hatches. Key-in: DIALOG TOOLBOX PATTERNS

DWG BLOCK Defines a cell. Key-in: DIALOG CELL MAINTENANCE and

DEFINE CELL ORIGIN

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG BREAK Deletes part of an element. Key-in: DELETE PARTIAL

DWG CECOLOR <color_#> Sets the color for new elements. Key-in: ACTIVE COLOR

DWG CELTSCALE <scale_factor> Sets the line style scale factor for new elements, relative Line Styles dialog, Scale factor setting
to the global scale factor. When a new element is created,
the actual line style scale factor is the CELTSCALE value
multiplied by the LTSCALE value.

DWG CELTYPE <0–7 | name> Sets the line style for new elements. # = standard line style Key-in: ACTIVE STYLE
number 0–7. Name = name of a custom line style.

DWG CHAMFER Constructs a chamfer. Key-in: CHAMFER

DWG CHAMFERA <distance_value> Sets chamfer distance 1. Construct Chamfer tool, Distance 1 setting

DWG CHAMFERB <distance_value> Sets chamfer distance 2. Construct Chamfer tool, Distance 2 setting

DWG CHANGE Lets you modify element attributes. Key-in: CHANGE ICON

DWG CIRCLE Places a circle. Key-in: PLACE CIRCLE ICON

DWG CLAYER <layer_name> Sets the level (DWG layer) for new elements. Key-in: ACTIVE LEVEL

DWG CMLJUST <0 | 1 | 2> Specifies justification for multi-lines. 0 = top. —

1 = middle. 2 = bottom.

DWG COPY Copies elements. Key-in: COPY ICON

DWG DATE (Read only.) Lists the current date and time in the format: —
<Julian day number.><Decimal fraction of a day>.

DWG DDATTDEF Defines tags. Key-in: DIALOG TAGS SETS

DWG DDATTE Lets you modify values for tags. Key-in: EDIT TAGS

DWG DDCOLOR Lets you modify the active color table. Key-in: DIALOG COLOR

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG DDEDIT Edits text. Key-in: EDIT TEXT

DWG DDIM Defines dimension style settings. Key-in: DIALOG DIMSTYLES OPEN

DWG DDINSERT Places a cell. Key-in: PLACE CELL ICON

DWG DDUCS Manages auxiliary coordinate system (ACS). Key-in: DIALOG COORDSYS

DWG DDVIEW Manages saved views. Key-in: SHOW VIEWS

DWG DIMALIGNED Places a linear dimension parallel to the Key-in: DIMENSION AXIS TRUE and
element being dimensioned. DIMCREATE LINEAR SIZE

DWG DIMANGULAR Dimensions the angle between two lines. Key-in: DIMCREATE ANGULAR LINES

DWG DIMCENTER Places a center mark at the center of a circle or arc. Key-in: DIMENSION CENTER MARK

DWG DIMLINEAR Dimensions the linear distance between two points (length) . Key-in: DIMCREATE LINEAR SIZE

DWG DIMORDINATE Labels distances along an axis from an origin (datum) Key-in: DIMCREATE ORDINATE
along the ordinate axis (the line along which the distances
are measured).

DWG DIMRADIUS Dimensions the radius of a circle or a circular arc. Key-in: DIMCREATE ELEMENT RADIUS

DWG DIMSTYLE Controls dimension settings. Key-in: DIALOG DIMSTYLES OPEN

DWG DIST Measures distance. Key-in: MEASURE DISTANCE POINTS

DWG DTEXT Places text. Key-in: PLACE TEXT ICON

DWG DWGCODEPAGE Shows system code page. —

DWG ELLIPSE Places an ellipse. Key-in: PLACE ELLIPSE ICON

DWG ERASE Deletes an element. Key-in: DELETE ELEMENT

DWG EXPLODE Breaks up elements into smaller components. Key-in: DROP ELEMENT

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG EXTEND Extends elements to an intersection. Key-in: EXTEND ELEMENT 2 and EXTEND
ELEMENT INTERSECTION

DWG EXTRUDE (3D only) Creates a surface or solid — a complex Key-in: CONSTRUCT SURFACE PROJECTION
3D element generated by linearly extruding a profile
element a defined distance.

DWG FILLET Constructs a circular fillet (arc) between two elements. Key-in: FILLET ICON

DWG FILLETRAD Stores the current fillet radius value. Key-in: FILLET ICON , Radius setting

DWG FILLMODE <0 | 1> If set to 1, closed elements are filled. If set to 0, closed Key-in: ACTIVE FILL
elements are not filled. (Click Update View to see changes.)

DWG GRIDMODE <0 | 1> If set to 1, displays the grid. If set to 0, the grid is not displayed. Key-in: SET GRID

DWG GRIDUNIT <unit> Specifies the grid spacing for the current view. Key-in: ACTIVE GRIDUNIT

DWG GROUP Creates and manages groups. Key-in: GROUP ADD

DWG HATCH Defines hatches. Key-in: DIALOG TOOLBOX PATTERNS

DWG HIDE Turns on rendering in hidden line mode. Key-in: RENDER ALL HIDDEN

DWG HPANG <angle> Specifies the hatch angle. Hatch Area tool, Crosshatch Area tool,
Angle setting

DWG HPNAME <name> Specifies the hatch pattern name. Pattern Area tool, Pattern Cell setting

DWG HPSCALE <#> Specifies the hatch pattern scale factor. —

DWG HPSPACE Specifies the hatch pattern line spacing. Hatch Area tool, Crosshatch Area tool,
Angle setting

DWG IMAGE Controls the display of raster images in a DGN file view. Key-in: DIALOG RASTER

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG IMAGEADJUST Controls the image display (brightness, contrast, Key-in: RASTER DLGGENERAL OPEN
and fade values).

DWG IMAGEATTACH Attaches raster references to the active design file. Key-in: RASTER ATTACH INTERACTIVE

DWG IMAGECLIP Crops a raster image using a clipping boundary. Key-in: RASTER TOOLCLIP

DWG INSBASE <X, Y> Sets the insertion base point for the current model. —
The insertion base point is used when the model is
referenced into another model.

DWG INSERT Places a cell. Key-in: PLACE CELL ICON

DWG INSERTOBJ Inserts new objects into your file. Key-in: OLECNTR INSERT

DWG INSUNITS <0 — 20> Sets the Design Center Units for a DWG file in MicroStation. —
Use a value between 0–20 to specify the units:
0 — Unspecified (no units)
1 — Inches 11 — Angstroms
2 — Feet 12 — Nanometers
3 — Miles 13 — Microns
4 — Millimeters 14 — Decimeters
5 — Centimeters 15 — Decameters
6 — Meters 16 — Hectometers
7 — Kilometers 17 — Gigameters
8 — Microinches 18 — Astronomical Units
9 — Mils 19 — Light Years
10 — Yards 20 — Parsecs

DWG INTERFERE (3D only) Constructs a solid that is the intersection Key-in: CONSTRUCT INTERSECTION
of two or more overlapping solids.

DWG INTERSECT Constructs a solid that is the intersection of Key-in: CONSTRUCT INTERSECTION
two or more overlapping solids.

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG ISOLINES <#> Sets the number of isolines used to display solids 3D and B-spline dialog,
and B-spline surfaces. Surface/Solid Iso Lines setting

DWG LAYER Controls level display and level symbology. Key-in: LEVEL MANAGER DIALOG OPEN

DWG LEADER Places a note with a leader line. Key-in: PLACE NOTE

DWG LINE Creates line segments. Key-in: PLACE LINE CONSTRAINED

DWG LINETYPE Activates line styles and sets line style modifiers. Key-in: LINESTYLE SETTINGS

DWG LOCALE Shows the ISO language code. —

DWG LTSCALE <scale_factor> Sets the global scale factor for line styles. Key-in: ACTIVE LINESTYLESCALE

DWG MATCHPROP Matches element attributes. Key-in: MATCH ELEMENT

DWG MIRROR Mirrors an element. Key-in: MIRROR ICON

DWG MLINE Places a multi-line (multiple parallel lines). Key-in: PLACE MLINE

DWG MOVE Moves an element. Key-in: MOVE ICON

DWG MTEXT Places text. Key-in: PLACE DIALOGTEXT ICON

DWG OFFSET Moves or copies an element parallel to the original. Key-in: MOVE PARALLEL OFFSET

DWG ORTHOMODE <0 | 1> Turns on Axis lock. Key-in: LOCK AXIS

DWG PAN Shifts the view to a different part of the design. Key-in: PAN VIEW

DWG PASTESPEC Applies a special display format to contents of the clipboard. Key-in: CLIPBOARD PASTESPECIAL

DWG PLINE Places a chain of connected line segments and arc segments. Key-in: PLACE SMARTLINE

DWG PLINEGEN <0 | 1> If set to 1, defines the way that line styles are controlled —
for line strings and shapes. If set to 0, the pattern
will restart for each segment.

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG PLINEWID <width> Defines the width for wide custom line styles. Line Styles dialog, Width settings
Note that AutoCAD only supports width on polylines.

DWG PLOT Creates printed output. Key-in: DIALOG PLOT

DWG POINT Places the active point. Key-in: PLACE POINT

DWG POLYGON Places a polygon. Key-in: PLACE POLYGON ICON

DWG PSLTSCALE <0 | 1> Controls how line styles are scaled in AutoCAD layout viewports. —
(Note: MicroStation treats layout viewports as reference
attachments (referred to below as viewport attachments).

If set to 0, then the line styles within viewport attachments are

based on the units in which the model was created, and
therefore are not affected by the scale of the sheet model.

If set to 1, then the line styles within viewport attachments

are based on sheet model units.

DWG QUIT Exits MicroStation. Key-in: EXIT

DWG RECTANG Places a block. Key-in: PLACE BLOCK ICON

DWG RECTANGLE

DWG REDRAW Updates the views. Key-in: UPDATE VIEW EXTENDED

DWG REDRAWAll Updates the views. Key-in: UPDATE VIEW EXTENDED

DWG REGEN Updates the views. Key-in: UPDATE VIEW EXTENDED

DWG REGENALL Updates the views. Key-in: UPDATE VIEW EXTENDED

DWG REGION Creates a complex shape from a region. Key-in: CREATE REGION ICON

DWG RENDER Controls rendering settings. Key-in: DIALOG RENDER

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG REVOLVE (3D only) Creates a surface of revolution. Key-in: CONSTRUCT SURFACE REVOLUTION

DWG ROTATE Rotates elements. Key-in: ROTATE ICON

DWG RPREF Sets rendering settings. Key-in: DIALOG RENDER

DWG SCALE Resizes an element. Key-in: SCALE ICON

DWG SECTION Trims elements to a common intersection. Key-in: CONSTRUCT TRIM

DWG SHADE Turns on screen rendering (shading). Key-in: RENDER ICON

DWG SLICE Subtracts the volume of one or more solids from another solid. Key-in: CONSTRUCT DIFFERENCE

DWG SNAPANG <angle> Sets the snap and grid rotation angle for the current view. Key-in: ACTIVE GRIDANGLE

DWG SNAPBASE <X, Y> Sets an origin point for the grid. —

DWG SNAPMODE <0 | 1> If set to 1, each data point is forced to lie at coordinates Key-in: LOCK UNIT
that are multiples, in each dimension, of the (Unit) Distance.

DWG SOLID Places a four-sided filled polygon shape. Key-in: PLACE SHAPE ICON

DWG SPELL Reviews text for spelling errors. Key-in: SPELLCHECK

DWG SPLFRAME <0 | 1> If set to 1, displays the control polygon of each B-spline curve. Key-in: SET INVISGEOM
Also displays invisible edges of mesh elements.

If set to 0, the control polygons and invisible edges

are not displayed.

DWG SPLINE Places a B-spline curve. Key-in: PLACE BSPLINE CURVE

DWG SPLINEDIT Edits a spline. Key-in: DIALOG TOOLBOX CURVEMODIFY TOGGLE

DWG STYLE Creates and modifies text styles. Key-in: TEXTSTYLE DIALOG OPEN

DWG SUBTRACT Subtracts the volume of solids from another solid. Key-in: CONSTRUCT DIFFERENCE

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG SURFU <#> Sets the number of rule lines for the surface’s U parameter. Evaluate Surface tool, Number of Points setting

DWG SURFV <#> Sets the number of rule lines for the surface’s V parameter. Evaluate Surface tool, Number of Points setting

DWG SYSCODEPAGE Shows the system code page. —

DWG TEXT Places text. Key-in: PLACE TEXT ICON

DWG TEXTSIZE <#> Sets the default height for new text created —
with the active text style.

DWG TEXTSTYLE <name> Sets the name of the active text style. Key-in: TEXTSTYLE ACTIVE

DWG TOOLBAR Displays and customizes toolboxes. Key-in: DRAFTPAL OPENTOOLBOX

DWG TORUS Places a torus (donut-shaped solid). Key-in: PLACE TORUS

DWG TRIM Simultaneously trims multiple elements. —

DWG UCSICON <0 | 1> If set to 1, a coordinate triad representing the Key-in: SET ACSDISPLAY
Active Auxiliary Coordinate System (ACS) displays.
If set to 0, the ACS triad does not display.

DWG UCSORG <X, y, Z> Sets the ACS origin for the current view. ACS origin.

DWG UCSXDIR <X, Y, Z> (Read only.) Sets the X direction of the active ACS X Direction.
ACS for the current view.

DWG UCSYDIR <X, Y, Z> (Read only.) Sets the Ydirection of the active ACS X Direction.
ACS for the current view.

DWG UNION Unites two or more overlapping solids. Key-in: CONSTRUCT UNION

DWG UNITS Sets the Design Center Units (AutoCAD system variable —
INSUNITS) for a DWG file in MicroStation. Opens the
DWG/DXF dialog, where you can change the unit settings.

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AutoCAD COMMANDS AND WORKFLOWS Continued

AutoCAD Key-in Description Similar MicroStation Tool or Key-in

DWG VISRETAIN <0 | 1> If set to 1, changes to the level attributes for attached Key-in: SET REFLEVELOVERRIDES
references are saved from session to session.

If set to 0, changes to the level attributes for attached references

are valid for the current session only; they are not saved.

DWG WBLOCK Writes a new DWG file from one of the following: —
the entire design file a group of selected objects
a shared cell definition within the current file

DWG XATTACH Attaches a reference to the active model. Key-in: ATTACH REFERENCE

DWG XBIND Merges references into the master DGN file. Key-in: DIALOG REFERENCE and REFERENCE
MERGE

DWG XCLIP Defines a clipping boundary. Key-in: REFERENCE CLIP

DWG XCLIPFRAME <0 | 1> If set to 1, turns on display of reference clip boundaries. Key-in: DIALOG REFERENCE
If set to 0, turns off display of reference clip boundaries.

DWG XREF Defines references (XREFs). Key-in: DIALOG REFERENCE

DWG ZOOM Changes the magnification of the view. Key-in: ZOOM IN and ZOOM OUT

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THE GENERAL WORKFLOW
The General workflow in MicroStation offers a user interface that is analogous to the AutoCAD UI. You can select
General from the workflow drop-down menu in the Quick Access Toolbar to switch to this workflow.

THE DARK THEME

The Dark themed user interface in combination with the General workflow makes the MicroStation UI even more familiar for users newly
migrating from AutoCAD. You can enable the Dark Theme in the File > Settings > User Preferences > Look and Feel category.

DWG WORKSET WIZARD

The DWG WorkSet Wizard helps you create a WorkSet for your Projects using DWG and migrate folders to CONNECT Configuration.

REALDWG 2021 SUPPORT

MicroStation has updated RealDWG Libraries to support RealDWG 2021, for utmost compatibility.

For more information about using MicroStation visit the

MicroStation page of Bentley Communities.

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