MicroStation Tip: Import Linestyles into a DGN Library

Written by: Bob Mecham

Linestyles can be delivered in the workspace two ways.  One option is to point to the Linestyle resource file (RSC) using the variable MS_SYMBRSRC.   The second options is to import a MicroStation linestyle resource file (RSC) into the DGN Library file and then use the MS_DGNLIBLIST variable.

To import a linestyle into a DGN file use the Linestyle Editor dialog box.

1. From the MicroStation pull down menu Element > Line Styles > Edit. The Line Style Editor dialog will appear.

2. From the Line Style Editor dialog pull down menu File > Import > MicroStation Resource File (RSC).

3. Path to the file and click the Open button. The Select Linestyles to Import dialog will appear.

dialog to import linestyle library

4. Select the linestyles in the list and click the Import button.  The linestyles will be imported into the file.

Note: if you want to delete a linestyle name use the keyin “delete unused linestyles [name]”

Bob Mecham

Bob is a partner at EnvisionCAD and is an industry expert in the implementation, configuration, instruction, development, and customization of both MicroStation and InRoads.

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13 comments on “MicroStation Tip: Import Linestyles into a DGN Library

  1. David Renaud - MWU Reply

    Is there a way to print a list of the line styles? Ideally, it would be with the graphical representation of each line style, but a list of just names would be useful.

    • David Sullivan Reply

      Good Morning Bob,
      I just looked for the Line Style macro that you talk about in your post for “MicroStation Tip: Importing LineStyles into a DGN library” but I could not find it. It sounds like exactly what I would like to do so we can clean up the Line Styles at GDOT. Would you please show me where I can find that macro? Thanks.
      God bless,
      David

  2. robert hart Reply

    what is the name of that macro (to draw a line for each linestyle)? is that a free macro?

  3. Thaddeus Lesnik Reply

    If the custom linestyles are revised (same name, new look) in the DGNLIB is there a process to make an existing drawing use the updated look from the DGNLIB?

    • Bob Mecham Reply

      If linestyles display has changed, the new linestyles (from RSC or DGNLIB) must be re-imported into the DGN file. This can be done using the custom linestyle tool, or via keyin.

  4. Callum Grieve Reply

    Hi Bob, do you know if there is a key in command, or multiple key in commands that can achieve this. I have to do this for multiple drawings & models and using the batch processor will save a lot of time and energy

    • Bob Mecham Reply

      Hi Callum,
      It appears that there are not the right combinations of straight keyins to accomplish this task. However I think you could do it using MVBA and then just call that macro as a keyin during the batch process. Let us know if you would like help with that.

    • Bradley Reply

      I have a key-in that imports all linestyles in a .RSC file. all I do after initiating the key-in is select the rsc I wish to use.
      this is quick when creating multiple linestyles in a project and getting them imported for use.

      Action: linestyle import todgn all

      this takes you to the Open Line Style Library dialog box.

  5. Teddy Chow Reply

    Hi Bob. After importing the rsc file and MicroStation shows that linestyle is successfully imported in the active design file, do you know why those imported line style won’t be showed in the references in the level manager? Since I want to change linestyle of the reference to those imported line style.

    • Rod Wing Reply

      Teddy,
      When you import the line styles into a dgn file they are only available in that one file, as a result, they will not display in any reference attachments.

      To have the line styles available in all of your files create a new dgn file from a seed file and import the rsc based line styles there. Once completed, rename the dgn file to a .dgnlib. Then move the dgnlib file to a path referenced by MS_DGNLIBLIST or MS_DGNLIBLIST_LINESTYLES depending on your configuration.

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