MicroStation Tip: XYZ Text

Delivered with MicroStation is a toolbar that will label coordinates in the file and import/export coordinates.  From the MicroStation pulldown menu select Tools > Annotation > XYZ Text.

MicroStation Label Coordinates XYZ Text

Label Point – will label points selected in the drawing.  The active text settings are used.
MicroStation Label Points

Label Element – will label elements in the drawing.  Settings include labeling elements individually, by a selection or fence, or all elements in the drawing.  The active text settings are used.
MicroStation Label Elements

Export Coordinates – will export the vertices of elements to a text file.  Settings include exporting elements individually, by a selection or fence, or all elements in the drawing.  The active text settings are used to label the point number.

MicroStation Export Coordinates
MicroStation Export Vertices of Elements

Import Coordinates – will import an ASCII text file into the design file.  Settings include placing a active point, text character, or cell at each location.

MicroStation ASCII Text file MicroStation Import Coordinates

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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7 comments on “MicroStation Tip: XYZ Text

  1. John Reply

    I want to take this example a step further and place the list of coordinates into a table. Should a point move I want it to be dynamically connected to the table so that the coordinate is updated.
    Any ideas?

  2. Amber Lee Reply

    Is there a way to modify the formatting of the text when it is inserted? Can I change the font, size, etc?

  3. Rod Wing Reply

    Amber,
    The text is placed as a regular MicroStation Text Node element. You can use the Change Text Attributes tool (Tools > Text > Change Text Attributes) to modify the text formatting.

  4. Bob Mecham Reply

    Selecting a complex chain element, then selecting Element Information, then selection GeometrySegments and clicking on the 3dots at the right end of the Segment row causes line segment table to open (with xyz of each line end points with length and bearing)…this can be exported to excel (as a table).

  5. Jesse Lopez Reply

    Is there a way to place coordinates in feet and inches? I can set the accuracy to a fraction, but it will be fractions of only feet.

    • Bob Mecham Reply

      Hi Jesse,
      Takes a little set up but I got it do it.
      If you go the the Design File Settings and set your working units to feet and inches first.
      Then go to the XYZ Text dialog and set the following:
      Units: Sub
      Accuracy:1/2

      It should give you what you want.

      HTH,
      Bob Mecham

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