The first step is to open a MicroStation file with dimensions (either 2D or 3D) that match the cell library you want to convert. Then, attach the cell library you want to convert. For example, if you want to convert a 2D cell library to 3D, open a 2D design file and attach it.

As the first step in converting a 2D cell library into a 3D cell library, attach the 2D cell library to a 2D MicroStation file.

Now from MicroStation’s main menu bar choose “File | Export | 2D” if converting a 3D cell library to 2D or “File | Export | 3D” if converting a 2D cell library to 3D.

Select “File | Export | 3D” to convert a 2D cell library to 3D.

The “Save 2D as 3D” or “Save 3D as 2D” dialog box opens (depending on what you chose earlier). In the example below, we have chosen to convert a 2D cell library to a 3D cell library.

The “Save 2D as 3D” dialog box.

Navigate to the directory you want to save your new 2D or 3D cell library to and give the cell library a name. If you use a different directory than the original cell library, you can give it the same name.

Now go to the section of the dialog box labeled “Selection Option”. Click the drop-down button next to the “Source” label. Choose “Attached Cell Library” from the drop-down list.

Select the “Attached Cell Library” option to convert the desired cell library.

Now click the <OK> button on the dialog box, and your cell library will be converted. Easy as pie.

Press <OK> to convert the 2D cell library to a 3D cell library.

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 have CellManager work on any cell library you like by simply choosing that library from CellManager’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!

Click here to find out more about CellManager.

Join the forum discussion on this post

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!

How do you convert a MicroStation V7 3D cell library to a V7 2D cell library and vice-versa? Easy! Just use MicroStation’s “Export” function.

The first step is to open a MicroStation file with dimensions (either 2D or 3D) that match the cell library you want to convert. Then, attach the cell library you want to convert. For example, if you want to convert a 2D cell library to 3D, open a 2D design file and attach it.

As the first step in converting a 2D cell library into a 3D cell library, attach the 2D cell library to a 2D MicroStation file.

Now from MicroStation’s main menu bar choose “File | Export | 2D” if converting a 3D cell library to 2D or “File | Export | 3D” if converting a 2D cell library to 3D.

Select “File | Export | 3D” to convert a 2D cell library to 3D.

The “Save 2D as 3D” or “Save 3D as 2D” dialog box opens (depending on what you chose earlier). In the example below, we have chosen to convert a 2D cell library to a 3D cell library.

The “Save 2D as 3D” dialog box.

Navigate to the directory you want to save your new 2D or 3D cell library to and give the cell library a name. If you use a different directory than the original cell library, you can give it the same name.

Now go to the section of the dialog box labeled “Selection Option”. Click the drop-down button next to the “Source” label. Choose “Attached Cell Library” from the drop-down list.

Select the “Attached Cell Library” option to convert the desired cell library.

Now click the <OK> button on the dialog box, and your cell library will be converted. Easy as pie.

Press <OK> to convert the 2D cell library to a 3D cell library.