Introduction to AccuDraw

AccuDraw, in short, is the most efficient method of drafting and modeling. It evaluates such parameters as the current pointer location, the current tool’s needs and any directive you have entered using keyboard shortcuts or AccuDraw options. It can be thought of as MicroStation’s precision input facility.

One the beauties of AccuDraw is its ability to anticipate when and what the user might want to key-in, adjusting the input focus accordingly and not requiring anything more than the raw value. AccuDraw even anticipates the need for the minus sign if the movement is in the negative direction.

Activating AccuDraw

AccuDraw can be activated by clicking on its icon (the sliding T-square and triangle as seen below) in the Primary tool bar. Once activated a small window will appear displaying the X/Y/Z fields if working in a 3D dgn or X/Y if working in a 2D dgn.

Activate AccuDraw here

AccuDraw’s Compass

AccuDraw’s compass works in conjunction with the X and Y fields and provides a visual cue based on the selected MicroStation operation.

AccuDraw's Compass

As you move your pointer around, you’ll notice that AccuDraw’s X and Y fields change in response to your motion. The values displayed represent the distance from the previous data point to the current location of the pointer.

The Input Focus

As stated above when you move your pointer around, you’ll notice that AccuDraw’s X and Y fields change in response to your motion. The X/Y/Z fields are part of the input focus where you can enter a precise value. When you move your pointer in the X direction the input focus will move to the X field, when you move your pointer in the Y

Direction the input focus will move to the Y field and the same holds true Z.

Notice the input focus is in the X field

Locking your coordinate values

When you enter a precise value via the keyboard AccuDraw locks that value. You will know that it is locked when a check appears in the toggle box next to any of the three fields.

As the value 50 is entered the X field becomes locked on this value

AccuDraw works with MicroStation tools

Accudraw works with MicroStation tools such as lines, Smartlines, circle, arcs, shapes and blocks.

AccuDraw settings windows

Many aspects of AccuDraw’s behavior are specified using the controls in the AccuDraw Settings box.

AccuDraw’s Settings window

The AccuDraw settings window is not needed on screen as you work. Just remember what is has to offer.

Shortcuts

AccuDraw has a wide variety of shortcut keys to help you tell AccuDraw exactly what you want it to do. One example of a shortcut is accessed by pressing the <spacebar>. This causes the AccuDraw compass to switch between its two standard modes-Rectangular (X/Y Distance), and Polar (Distance/Angle) modes.

AccuDraw compass when in AccuDraw compass when in

Polar mode Rectangular mode

A listing of all the AccuDraw shortcuts is available by pressing <?> key.

Listing of default shortcuts for AccuDraw

Using AccuDraw for precision input

AccuDraw has two standard drawing modes, Rectangular and Polar. In the Rectangular mode, points are specified using X and Y distances (or Z if 3D). You know that you are in Rectangular mode when the AccuDraw compass appears as a square.

AccuDraw compass in Rectangular mode

In the Polar mode, points are specified by distance and angle relative to the origin. The AccuDraw compass appears as a circle when in Polar mode.

AccuDraw compass in Polar mode

You can easily toggle between the Rectangular and Polar modes by simply pressing <spacebar>.

Rectangular mode Polar mode

Offsetting the origin

Often times when placing elements, we are required to place points “in space” that are inaccessible via a snap function. To accomplish this task we are able to offset our compass from a snap point on another element. This function is accessed via the <O> key on the keyboard.

Now let’s give an example. Suppose you have drawn a rectangular shape and you want to place a circle 1 unit in the X direction and 0.5 units in the Y direction beginning in the lower left hand corner of the shape. Select Place Circle, set Method to Center, and make the diameter 0.25. Snap to the lower left corner. Do not place a data point. Press <O> from the keyboard. Move your pointer in the X direction and key in 1. Move the pointer in the Y direction and key in 0.5. Place a data point to accept the circle in the new location.

Example of offsetting the origin

Rotate Quick

AccuDraw has several different shortcuts for rotating the drawing plane axes and compass. The <R> series of shortcuts provides access to these functions. The rotate shortcuts all begin with the letter “R”. For this next example I will use the Rotate Quick function, accessed by pressing <R> on the keyboard. Let’s say you have some line at an angle and you want to place some text along this line. Select Place Text, snap to the origin of the line and accept the snap. Press <R><Q> from the keyboard, notice that AccuDraw’s compass will allow you to rotate it in any direction. Snap to the end of the line and accept it. Now the compass will be aligned with the angled line. Type in your text, place it and you’re done!

Example of the Rotate Quick function

One other note to understand about the effects of the rotated compass is that the orientation produced by the Rotate shortcuts is temporary. Instead of using the compass orientation defined by the last line placed, the AccuDraw compass automatically resets itself to align with the design file’s drawing coordinate system. You can have the compass rotation revert to the drawing’s view via the <V> shortcut.

Rotating the compass to a specific angle

Another useful feature of AccuDraw is being able to rotate the compass to an exact angle.

Let’s do an example. Suppose you want to place a MicroStation block at an exact angle.

Data point to nitiate the location of the block, press <A> (figure 1) and then use the <down-arrow> key to move to the angle field. Enter the angle you want, press <R><Q> one after the other (figure 2). The AccuDraw compass now rotates to the angle that you specified. Complete the block by entering a data point at your desired location.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Rotating the compass by X/Y offset

One other way to rotate the compass is by specifying an X/Y offset to define the reference location for the Rotate Quick shortcut. This operation is fairly simple to execute, enter data point for placing object, issue the Rotate Quick <R><Q>, and enter the X and Y values desired for rotation.