MicroStation
MicroStation Training
MicroStation
MicroStation Training

How to define the work units used in MicroStation

Preamble

MicroStationand all applications based on the same platform (OpenBuildings, OpenRoads, iTwin Capture Modeler,...) allow to use and modify the unit system at any time.

In short, we can say thatMicroStationretains the size of the elements: the unit is there only to establish the measurement.

Prenons l’exemple d’un élément ayant une dimension de 2.54m. Si on change l’unité de travail en pouce par exemple, sa dimension sera alors de 100″. La grandeurPhysicalthe element remains unchanged.

This concept is obviously very practical when working with different techniques and the notion of a reference file or cell is widely used: topographers, road projectors tend to work in "meters", architects in "centimeters" and mechanics in "millimeters".

By defaultMicroStationoffers a set of units of measurement. Some of them are useless for your particular use: rare are those in continental Europe who work in imperial units. So we can remove them from the list without any worries.

How?

This can be controlled using a combination of the variableMS_CUSTOMUNITDEFand the unit definition file,units.def. 
Fileunits.defis a default ASCII text file in the folder... / Workspace / System / Data . 
VariableMS_CUSTOMUNITDEFPoint to this file.

  • Work units available in a file can be found inSpecification > Drawing fileunder categoryWork units. If you are inCONNECT Edition, you will need to click on the menuFile > Specifications > File > Specifications drawing fileto access the screen in which you will find the categoryWork units.
  • By default, the available work units are visible in the image below:

  • To change the list of available units, access the fileunits.def(location designated byMS_CUSTOMUNITDEF).
  • Copy the fileunits.def(e.g.:my_units.def)
  • Open copied filemy_units.defwith a text editor such as theNotepadWindows (Notepad)
  • Add the sharp symbol (#) in front of all units that no longer need to be displayed, this will result in deactivated units without removing them
  • Save file
  • Edit variableMS_CUSTOMUNITDEFand modify its content to designate the newly created file (my_units.def).
  • Restart MicroStation and check that only the desired work units are displayed: