Understanding Cells in MicroStation
Cells in MicroStation are sophisticated constructs that consist of a collection of elements combined into one cohesive entity. These can be stored in a cell library or designated within the design file. Using cells streamlines the design process, allowing for efficient reuse and manipulation of sets of elements without needing to recreate them from scratch.
Steps to Remove a Cell in MicroStation
To delete a cell from your MicroStation file, follow these detailed steps:
Step 1: Identify the Cell
Before performing the deletion, locate the cell that you wish to remove. This can be done by zooming in on the drawing or navigating through the list of cells available in your project. Take note of the cell’s position to ensure accurate deletion.
Step 2: Activate the Power Selector Tool
To begin the selection process, activate the Power Selector tool. This tool is useful for selecting multiple elements efficiently. You can find it under the ‘Selection’ menu or use a shortcut key if available.
Step 3: Select the Cell
With the Power Selector tool activated, click on the cell you wish to delete. If there are multiple instances of the cell, you can hold down the Ctrl key while clicking to select them all simultaneously.
Step 4: Open the Drop Element Tool
Navigate to the ‘Tools’ menu and select the ‘Drop’ option. This menu allows you to access various tools for breaking down or modifying elements within the design file.
Step 5: Choose the Shared Cells Option
Within the Drop Element tool settings, ensure that the ‘Shared Cells’ option is activated. This setting will allow you to drop the shared representation of the cell, which must be completed before the actual deletion can take place.
Step 6: Drop the Shared Cell
Proceed to drop the shared cell. This will convert the selected shared cells into unshared components, allowing the subsequent step to take place.
Step 7: Delete the Cell
Having dropped the shared cell, you can now proceed to delete the cell entirely from your design file. Right-click on the unshared cell and select the ‘Delete’ option from the context menu or press the ‘Delete’ key on your keyboard.
Step 8: Confirm Deletion
If prompted, confirm that you wish to delete the cell. It is essential to ensure there are no lingering dependencies that could affect your design before finalizing this action.
Best Practices After Deleting Cells
After successfully removing a cell, consider reviewing your design to check for any changes or updates that are required in its absence. Conducting a cleanup operation can help remove any unused references or elements that might have remained after the cell deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I undo the deletion of a cell in MicroStation?
Yes, if the deletion was recent, it can be undone by using the ‘Undo’ command, typically available via the Edit menu or by pressing Ctrl+Z.
2. What happens to the elements within a shared cell when I delete it?
When you delete a shared cell after unsharing it, the individual elements contained within are removed from the design file as well. Ensure that you no longer need those elements before proceeding with deletion.
3. Is it possible to restore a deleted cell?
If you delete a cell and wish to restore it later, having a backup of your design file or using the ‘Redo’ option helps. Regularly saving versions of your file can safeguard against irreversible deletions.
