Editing library cells is no longer a burden

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By Eiren K. Smith,Vice President for Technology, Axiom

In this tip, I detail how to streamline the usually time-consuming task of editing cells in cell libraries. First, I’ll discuss how to edit a cell using MicroStation alone – tedious! Then I’ll guide you, step by step, on how to do it with Axiom’s CellManager — ridiculously fast and easy!

1. Using MicroStation, when you want to edit an existing cell in a cell library, the steps involved are numerous and, to me, costly in terms of wasted time. Here’s how it’s done using MicroStation alone:
2. Assuming the appropriate cell library is already attached, select the cell you wish to modify.
3. Place it in a design file.
4. Note down the cell’s description. You will need to know what the description of the cell is so that after you modify the cell and place it back in its cell library, it will have the same description as before (cells in design files don’t retain their descriptions).
5. Drop the cell.
6. Make your modifications – adding, deleting or modifying elements.
7. Define your cell origin again with the “Define Cell Origin” tool.
8. Place a fence around the elements that will comprise your new cell.
9. Open the Cell Library dialog box (Element | Cells).
10. Delete the old cell. Again, be sure to write down the cell’s description before you delete it!
11. In the Cell Library dialog box, click on <Create…>.
12. Name the cell and – from your notes – re-enter the old description.

I’ve always considered this 11-step process time-consuming and indirect.

Axiom’s CellManager simplifies this immensely. Here’s how easy it is to do with CellManager:

1. Start CellManager by selecting it from the Axiom menu. (Note: For your convenience,CellManager will work on your attached cell library by default, but you can always haveCellManager work on any cell library you like by simply choosing that library fromCellManager’s main dialog box.).
2. Click on CellManager’s <Manage…> button to display all the cells in the attached cell library.
3. Once the “Manage” dialog box appears, select the cell you wish to edit.
4. 4. Click on <Edit…>.
5. You’ll notice that the “Manage“ dialog box temporarily disappears, and the cell you selected now appears in a temporary design file ready for you to edit adding and modifying elements as you please. When you’re done modifying the cell, click on <OK>.

Whammo! Your cell has been updated in your cell library. There’s no writing down cell descriptions, carefully placing new cell origins, placing fences, deleting old versions of cells, ad absurdum. All you need to do is open CellManager, select your library, click on <Manage…> and then click on <Edit…>. CellManager has made what should have been an easy process into an easy process!