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Cross-reference of MicroStation to AutoCAD Terms
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MicroStation and AutoCAD are both CAD applications with some similarities, but they both use different terminology that is used by their user bases.

The table below explains many of the different terms that are used in MicroStation and provides a reference to the term that is used in AutoCAD when possible.

MicroStation to AutoCAD Terms

MicroStation Term

AutoCAD Term

Notes

AccuSnap

Osnap

Drafting tool for automatic snaps.

ACS

UCS

Coordinate system acronyms.

ACS = Auxiliary Coordinate System

UCS = User Coordinate System

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.

Cells: 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 used to demote element/object types to lower level. For example, cells/blocks can be demoted to geometry.

Element Attributes

Properties

Name for characteristics of elements/objects.

Fit View

Zoom extents

Command for zooming in on all elements currently in the drawing.

  • MicroStation’s “Fit” tool will fit only visible geometry.
  • “Zoom Extents” area will include layers that have display turned off.

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 modeling kernel for each program.

Patterning

Hatching

Filling of a defined area with a defined pattern.

Pen tables

Plot styles

Used to control how linework appears when printing or plotting.

References

References: attachments, overlays, and underlays

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. References with No Nesting are translated as Overlays in AutoCAD-based products.

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 drawing for 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 direct 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.