How to Break Group Microstation?

Breaking Groups in MicroStation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding Groups in MicroStation

Groups in MicroStation are effective for organizing complex drawings, allowing multiple elements to be treated as a single entity. However, there may be times when you need to break these groups apart for editing or reconfiguration. Knowing how to ungroup or "drop" a group is crucial for efficient workflow.

Steps to Ungroup Cells in MicroStation

1. Access the Ribbon:

   • Begin by navigating to the Ribbon interface at the top of the MicroStation application.

2. Select the Appropriate Tab:

   • Choose either the Drawing tab or the Modeling tab depending on your workspace.

3. Locate the Groups Section:

   • Within the selected tab, find the Groups section.
4. Use the Group Split Option:
   • Click on the split button labeled Group. This option allows you to break the selected cells or elements apart.

Breaking Down Elements

Breaking down elements in MicroStation involves different approaches.

1. Using the Drop Tool:

   • To access the Drop Element tool, click on Tools in the main menu and then select Drop.
   • This tool allows you to decompose elements into simpler components, effectively "exploding" the features.

2. Select the Element:

   • Use the Power Selector or alternatively Select By Attributes to choose all the shared cells you wish to break apart.
3. Execute the Drop Command:
   • After selecting the elements, activate the Drop Element tool with the setting adjusted to Shared Cells. This will initiate the process to drop or separate these components into distinct parts.

Editing a Group After Separation

Once a group has been separated, you can edit individual elements as needed:

1. Select Individual Elements:

   • Click on the element you wish to modify.

2. Make Adjustments:

   • Use available tools like stretch, move, or rotate to alter the specific elements as needed to fit your design criteria.
3. Re-group if Necessary:
   • If you need to re-establish a group after making changes, select all relevant elements and press Ctrl + G to regroup them.

Creating Complex Chains

If you want to join elements instead of breaking them apart, you can create complex chains:

1. Open the Tools Menu:

   • Press Alt + T to reveal the tools menu.

2. Select Create Complex Chain:

   • From the Groups section, select Create Complex Chain to initiate the command.
3. Identify Elements:
   • Click on the first line to include in the chain, then continue identifying additional elements. Click a third time to finish the selection and create your complex chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I reverse the dropping process?
While you cannot directly "undrop" elements, you can always regroup them afterwards. With the elements selected, use the Ctrl + G shortcut to re-establish them as a group.

2. What happens to the attributes of elements when I break a group?
When you break a group, the individual elements retain their original attributes. Any styles, weights, or colors assigned to each element will be preserved.

3. Is there a way to quickly access frequently used tools for breaking groups?
Yes, you can customize your toolbar or ribbon to include quick access to the Drop Element tool and other related functions, allowing for faster access.