Irks and Quirks

MicroStation

11/6/07: Reference Attach: Coincident vs Coincident World

When in MicroStation v8 and Attaching a v7 Reference file the file attaches differently (it shifts!) when using Coincident vs. Coincident World. 

According to the MicroStation Help:

To align the reference with the active model with regard to both Global Origin and design plane coordinates, select Coincident - World in the Orientation list box. This option is available only when referencing a model in a DGN file.
or
To align the reference with regard to design plane coordinates only, select Coincident in the Orientation list box.

For more...

10/23/07:  3D distances in a 2D file.

Most folks know that v8 allows referencing a 3D file into a 2D file. Mario found out that even though you're working in a 2D file, some of the quirks of working in 3D still apply to a 2D file referencing a 3D file.  Specifically, measuring between two elements in a 2D file will still measure the vertical distance between them.  For example, if your horizontal alignments are at zero (they almost always are) and your right of way line is 100.00 feet to the right (but at elevation) you could get a distance of 4000 ft!  Depth Lock is not available in the 2D file.  Not sure of the workaround.

InRoads

Vertical Components:  InRoads will now allow vertical walls and overlaps in Template Components.  It does this by excluding select points from triangulation.  It's algorithm may vary from your intent.  A workaround might be to offset the vertical by a bit and see if both are triangulated.