How do you reverse line style in Microstation?

To reverse the direction of a line style in MicroStation, particularly to correct the orientation of embedded text or patterns, you utilize the Change Curve Direction tool.

Understanding Line Style Direction

Line styles in MicroStation are applied along the direction in which a line, arc, or curve was originally drawn. This direction dictates how various components of the line style, such as text, symbols, or repeating patterns, are displayed. For instance, if a line style includes text like "GAS" or "WATER," reversing the line's direction will flip the text to ensure it reads correctly and is oriented appropriately on your drawing.

Why Reverse a Line Style?

You might need to reverse a line style direction for several reasons to ensure clarity and accuracy in your designs:

• Correcting Text Orientation: Text embedded within a line style (e.g., utility labels, contour elevations) might appear upside down or backward if the line was drawn in an unfavorable direction relative to your desired viewing angle.
• Aligning Patterns: Complex line styles with repeating patterns (e.g., fencing, guardrails, arrows) might need their pattern flow adjusted to match a specific design intent or real-world orientation.
• Maintaining Consistency: Ensuring all similar elements in a drawing maintain a consistent display direction improves readability and professional presentation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reversing Line Style Direction

The process involves using a dedicated tool designed to modify the direction of curves and lines.

1. Access the Tool:

   • Navigate to the MicroStation menu bar at the top of your screen.
   • Go to Tools > Curves > Modify Curves.
   • Select the Change Curve Direction tool.

   For quick reference, here's the tool path:

   Menu	Sub-Menu	Tool
   Tools	Curves	Modify Curves > Change Curve Direction

2. Select the Line:

   • Once the Change Curve Direction tool is active, click on the specific line element (or curve) whose style direction you wish to reverse.
   • MicroStation will typically highlight the selected element and often display an arrow indicating its current direction.

3. Confirm Direction Change:

   • After selecting the line, follow any prompts that appear in the MicroStation status bar or the tool settings dialog. The tool usually allows you to confirm the new direction with another click or by accepting the operation.
   • The line's "direction" will effectively swap. Any associated line style components, such as text or symbols, will immediately update to appear correctly oriented according to the new direction.

Practical Insights and Tips

• View Attributes: Ensure that line styles are actively displayed in your MicroStation View Attributes to accurately see the effect of the direction change. You can usually access this via Settings > View Attributes or by using the View Attributes dialog box.
• Complex Chains/Curves: This tool works effectively on individual line segments, arcs, curves, and complex chains. If you select a complex chain, the entire chain's direction will be reversed.
• Custom Line Styles: This method is particularly useful when working with custom line styles that incorporate text or directional symbols, allowing you to fine-tune their appearance.
• Undo Functionality: Always remember that MicroStation has a robust Undo function (Edit > Undo or Ctrl+Z), allowing you to revert changes if the result is not as expected.

By following these simple steps, you can efficiently reverse the direction of your line styles in MicroStation, ensuring all elements display as intended for clear and professional drawings.