Specialized Manipulation and Modification Tools

When you need to manipulate or modify elements with more precision than is possible with the Element Selection or PowerSelector tools, or if you need to delete elements, use a specialized element manipulation or modification tool. These tools can be used in conjunction with either the Element Selection or the PowerSelector tools or by themselves.

This table summarizes the tool boxes that contain specialized tools used to place, manipulate, and modify elements.

1. In the Element Selection tool box, select the Element Selection tool.


2. Select the element(s).


3. Select the specialized tool.


4. Perform the desired manipulation or modification.

1. Select the specialized tool.
   The prompt “Identify element” is displayed in the status bar. The pointer has a circular aperture that works like the aperture on the Element Selection arrowhead pointer.


2. Enter a data point on or near a desired element to identify the element. In some cases it may be helpful to first snap a tentative point to the element. See Snapping to tentative points on elements.
   The element is highlighted, and the prompt “Accept/reject element” is displayed in the status bar.


3. To accept the element and continue, enter a data point anywhere in any view except on an element.
   or
   To identify a different element, Reset and return to step 2.


4. Enter additional data points to perform (and in some cases, repeat) the desired manipulation.


5. (Optional) Repeat steps 2–4 for each additional element. (The tool must have been locked upon selection in step 1.)

The first method is referred to as noun-verb because the element(s) are distinguished before the specialized tool is selected. The second method is referred to as verb-noun. All specialized tools work with the verb-noun method. Not all can be operated noun-verb. When you select a tool that does not work on a noun-verb basis, MicroStation automatically de-selects any selected elements.