Pasting from the Clipboard

In Windows, the formats available in the Clipboard depend on the application from which the data is copied. You can paste text, bitmapped graphics, audio notes, and animation sequences into a DGN file. Also, you can paste text into the Key-in window.

Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) links

Using DDE links, you can paste text, audio notes, and animation sequences into a DGN file. A linked item is automatically updated in the DGN file when the originating file is changed in the source (or server) application.

• If text is pasted with a DDE link and both the source application, such as a word processor or a spreadsheet program, and MicroStation are running, changing the object in the source application causes the linked object in MicroStation to change automatically.

• If you click the icon for an audio note in the model, the sound file to which it is linked is played.

• If you click the icon for an animation sequence in the model, the file to which it is linked is played.

To play pasted audio notes, you must have the appropriate sound drivers installed in Windows.

MicroStation identifies linked objects by filename. If an object is not a saved file when it is pasted in a model, MicroStation may not be able to locate it later. For example, if you create text in an “untitled” document and paste the text before you save the file, MicroStation does not know where to find the linked text.

If you paste an object with a DDE link and if MicroStation displays an alert box with the message “MicroStation requested server is not responding,” you should confirm the following:

• All source applications are located in the proper directories.

• The directories for the server applications are included in the system PATH environment variable.

To paste elements, text, or linked text from the Clipboard

1. From any application, copy the item to the Clipboard.


2. Go back to MicroStation.


3. If you want MicroStation to paste the information in the most appropriate display format, choose Edit > Paste.
   The Paste OLE dialog box opens.


4. Select the format in which you want the object to be pasted in the Paste as: field.


5. Select how you want to paste the object in the Method menu.


6. Turn on Display as icon if you want the pasted object to appear as an icon in the dgn file.


7. If By Size is selected in the Method menu, key in the scale of the object to be pasted in the Scale field.


8. If the Method is By Size, click a data point to define the location of the object to be pasted.If the Method is By Corner, click a data point to define the top left corner and a second data point to define the bottom right corner of the object to be pasted.

1. From any application, copy the item to the Clipboard.


2. Go back to MicroStation.


3. To specify a certain format in which to paste the information, choose Edit > Paste Special.
   The Paste Special dialog box opens.


4. In the Data Type list box, select the format in which you want to paste the data and then click Paste.
   The Paste OLE dialog box opens.


5. Select the format in which you want the object to be pasted in the Paste as: field.


6. Select how you want to paste the object in the Method menu.


7. Turn on Display as icon if you want the pasted object to appear as an icon in the dgn file.


8. If By Size is selected in the Method menu, key in the scale of the object to be pasted in the Scale field.


9. If the Method is By Size, click a data point to define the location of the object to be pasted.If the Method is By Corner, click a data point to define the top left corner and a second data point to define the bottom right corner of the object to be pasted.

1. Double-click the text.

To paste a bitmapped graphic in the model

1. From any application, copy the image to the Clipboard.


2. Go back to MicroStation.


3. From the Edit menu, choose Paste Special.


4. In the Paste Special dialog box, select the bitmapped graphic format and then click Paste.
   An outline of the image dynamically displays.


5. To place the image in the model, enter a data point.

In 3D DGN files, pasted bitmaps are easiest to handle if they are pasted in a Top view. If you place bitmaps in a view other than a Top view, the image handles work properly, but they may appear skewed.

The image is saved in the DGN file as a raster element type 87/88.

Pasting audio notes

You can use the Windows' Sound Recorder applet to copy audio notes stored to the Clipboard as WAV files. Then you can paste the audio notes as linked objects into a DGN file.

To paste an audio note

1. Copy the audio note to the Clipboard.


2. Go back to MicroStation.


3. From the Edit menu, choose Paste Special.


4. In the Paste Special dialog box, select the Audio note format and then click Paste.
   An outline of the image dynamically appears.


5. To place the audio note in the model, enter a data point.
   The audio note is marked by an icon that looks like a microphone.

1. Double-click its icon.

1. From the Edit menu, choose Links.
   The Link Manager dialog box opens.


2. In the Link list box, select the DDE string for the audio note.


3. Click Open Source.

The source WAV file must be available for the audio note to be played.

The reference to the WAV file is user attribute data associated with the microphone bitmap, raster element type 87/88.

Pasting animation sequences

You can paste animation sequences as linked objects in a DGN file.

1. Copy the animation sequence to the Clipboard.


2. Go back to MicroStation.


3. From the Edit menu, choose Paste Special.


4. In the Paste Special dialog box, select the Animation sequence format and the click Paste.
   An outline of the image dynamically appears.


5. To place the animation sequence in the model, enter a data point.
   The animation sequence is marked by an icon that looks like a reel of film.

1. Double-click its icon.

1. From the Edit menu, choose Links.
   The Link Manager dialog box opens.


2. In the Link list box, select the DDE string for the animation.


3. Click Open Source.

The source AVI file must be available for the animation sequence to be played.