How to set final text size in my drawing?

[imsengr]

Hi, I am returning to Microstation V8 again after having after having "been spoilt" by AutoCAD for the last 2-1/2 years. I worked with the older SE version of Microstation so guess I am a newbie all over again with the new V8.

Here's my thing: I need to dimension my drawings. How do I set the text height (TH) and text width (TW) for Text in Dimension Styles? What numbers do I use? Is there a guide somewhere that tells me what to do? What determines the TH and TW that I set? Or do I even need to do this at all? Is there an automatic function in Microstation that simplifies this confusing process?

(BTW, I have actually seen various organizations specifying what TH and TW you should use for drawings prepared for them? Why do they even need to do this?)

Somehow, I think that TH and TW must have to do with the final size of my drawing, maybe? Say it is 24"(H) x 36"(W)? What TH and TW do I set? What if I used "WORKING" fonts and then decide to change to "ENGINEERING"? Do I need another different set of TH and TW? I hope you all know what I am talking about and can help me.

Say I am drawing a layout of a house in 1:1 scale. A 36" door in the real house is 36 inches wide on my drawing. I am working in 3/32" =1'-0" scale because that what the other drawings are drawin in, too.

If I set my TH and TW to 10" in Text under Dimension Style, my dimensions look unnaturally large and I know it is not correct. I make an adjustment, and set my TH and TW to 1-1/2", and it looks good. Setting it to 1" makes is look better. Now, what size TH and TW do I actually use? Surely there must be a table out there somewhere that tells you "exactly" what height is the accepted norm. It can be "trial and error" by everybody, and everyone comes with a different TH and TW.

Now, I want to print my final drawing on a 24"(H) x 36"(W) paper? What size text do I use? What if I want to print the drawings in 11" x 17" sheets? Does that affect my TH and TW?

The TH and TW that I set in Dimension Styles definitely affects what I see on my monotor? Hope someone understand my dilemma and can help me.

Say, halfway through my final drawing, I want to print a draft of the layout on an 8-1/2" x11" sheet. Will the text size I have chosen for my drawing look "funny" on the smaller sheet? Maybe, it will look very large, or it will look very small?

I have seen some guides that tells you what TH and TW to use for 1:1000, 1:500 or 1:200 scales? But I am working with 3/32"=1'-0" scale, which is like 1:128 ... no what do I do? Interpolate?

Thanks everyone and have a great weekend.

TobyGA

 

[imsengr]

Hi, DaveVikingPE,

Your reponse and my reply to your response were deleted because we cannot ask for or post addresses on this forum. Could you just cut and paste the more relevant part of the file you have in this forum, please?

Thank you so much and have a great weekend.

TobyGA

 

[DaveVikingPE]

GAEngr05,

Yeah, I got a nastygram, too. I've put the file at:

http://two.fsphost.com/DaveVikingPE/Microstation_CADD_TEXT_Scales.xls.

That's a free hosting service and the file won't be up for long. Cut and paste the above link into your browser and the spreadsheet will download.

 

[imsengr]

DaveVikingPE,

Thanks for the file. I clicked on the link you provided and was easily able to open or save the file. I had a little difficulty with one of the columns at first because my Xcel settings were not set right, but as soon as I did the Tools |Add-Ins |Analysis Toolpak thing, everything fell into place! Haven't had time to really study and use it yet, but will do as soon as possible, and will either provide you some positive feedback or will have some more questions to ask. Hope it will be good news, though.


Have a great whatever's remained of the weekend!