Microstation, as well as drift products, structure the various commands they offer in a tree-like way.

If you take the simple example of placing a line, the command behind this function is in the category « placement » (PLACE) and the object that one wishes to place is a line (LINE): the command is PLACE LINE and this can be executed directly via the zone of « Key-In » For example.

As you know, Microstation allows to place objects other than a single line. Indeed, it is also possible to perform many other functions.

The commands can be structured on up to 4 levels. Thus, we will see that the operation of the PLACE LINE command can be specified using the ANGLE and CONSTRAINED keywords. If nothing is specified, the mode of operation shall not be altered.

Two-letter quick keyboard inputs

Although a graphical interface is ideal for many things, it is sometimes faster to use keys Microstation Two letters to adjust the parameters. For example, to set the active scale on 2.0, you can simply type "as = 2" in the keyboard input browser. Microstation has a fairly complete list of these two-letter shortcuts to define all sorts of things from the active level and color, which is familiar to everyone, to backup or to activation of views. Here is a list of two-letter keyboard entries separated by categories (do not use space before the same sign for these keyboard entries):

View handling
OF = Disable levels by number
ON = Activate Levels by Number
RV = Rotate the centre view
WO = Set view origin
SV = Save View
VI = Attach a saved view
DV = Delete a saved view

Text and quotation
FT = Active font
DF = Opens font choice dialog
TH = Active height
TW = Active width
TX = Active height and width
LL = Active line length
LS = Active Line Interval
TB = Tab spacing for text import
IT = Variable Increment
LD = Size level
TV = Upper and lower tolerance limits

Settings
AA = Active angle
AS = Active scale
XS = Active x scale
YS = Active scale
ZS = Active scale z
GU = Master / Grid
GR = Reference grid
KY = (Snap) Divider
UR = (Unit Lock)

Define the attributes of item and pattern
AP = active pattern cell
LV = active level
CO = active color
PA = active pattern angle
LC = active line style
PD = active pattern spacing
WT = active line weight
PS = active pattern scale

Accuracy input
XY = <x, y, z> à partir de l’origine le long des axes du fichier de dessin
DI = <distance, direction> à partir des dernières données ou point de tentative par rapport aux axes de vue
DL = <Dx, Dy, Dz> coordonnées de conception
DX = <Dx, Dy, Dz> à partir des dernières données ou des coordonnées du point de vue provisoire
AX = Distance from the origin of the auxiliary coordinate system (ACS)
AD = Distance from last data or point of attempt in ACS coordinates

Cells
AC = Set active cell and select place active cell tool with relative
AR = Set active cell and select place active cell tool with relative on
CM = Place active matrix tool
PT = Active point
LT = Active Terminator TS = Terminator Scale
CR = Edit cell information
CD = Remove cell from cell library
CC = Create a cell

3D modelling
DP = Adjust the depth of the display from 0.0 view of the z axis
DD = Distance to move the display depth from current values
AZ = Adjust the active depth from 0.0 of the z axis of the view
DZ = Active depth displacement distance from current value (relative)
SX = Save ACS
RX = Attach ACS
PX = Delete ACS

File Management
RD = design file Open
XD = Open Design File with Active Design View Configuration
RC = Attach cell library
RF = Attach Reference File
DR = Displays the contents of a text file
CT = Attach color table
AM = Attach and activate the menu
AT = Enable tutorial

Database
AE = Define the active entity
DA = Displayable attribute type
DB = Joint control file
SP = Specify the fence filter
FI = Set the database line as an active entity
RA = Define attribute selection criteria
RS = Report table name

Other
EL = Create a list file of items
FF = Copy the contents of the fence to the new drawing file
GO = Total origin
SF = Move the contents of the fence to the new drawing file