MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0 General FAQ

Index:

1. What features are new in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?
2. Where can I find information on the Java development API?
3. What databases are supported in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?
4. What happened to the MicroStation GeoGraphics directory structure?
5. Which platforms support MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?
6. What happened to Image Manager in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?
7. Where is the license for MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?
8. What is the correct version of Microsoft ODBC drivers to use with MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?
9. I am unable to commit any changes to the attached ODBC database in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0. It looks like it commits the data successfully, but when I query the database the changes aren't present. What's wrong?
10. Is any tutorial information delivered with MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?
11. What documentation is delivered with MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?
12. How many new raster image types are supported with map registry in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?
13. Will using an explicit path to register a map in the MDIR column of the UGMAP table affect project portability if I share my project with a consultant firm?

Question 1: What features are new in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?

Answer: MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0 is a key engineering product and forms the foundation for discipline specific applications as part of the MicroStation/J Geoengineering Configuration. By configuring MicroStation/J for a particular use (via an Engineering Configuration, for example MicroStation GeoGraphics v7), it significantly increases user productivity and offers a more natural and easy-to-use environment for geoengineering users than plain MicroStation elements and operations. With this engineering configuration included with MicroStation/J, independent software developers can take advantage of high-level functionality to increase application performance and reduce development time. In addition, using this engineering configuration facilitates the migration to component-based modeling.

New features added to MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0 include:

• Support for Java
• Scale-dependent viewing in Display Manager for feature mode
• Definable tolerances in Find Dangles
• Support for arcs and curves in Topology Cleanup/Creation
• New Sliver tool - flags or merges sliver polygons
• UGMAP table MDIR column support - saves full path of map when registering
• Support of multiple raster image types for map registration
• Automatic attribution during feature placement

Support for Java includes extensions to MicroStation/J's Java DGN package (these extensions are called the GEO DGN Package). This allows access to all MicroStation GeoGraphics project data including category, feature, map and command information. It provides a Feature instance class for dealing with MicroStation elements as MicroStation GeoGraphics features, and Topology classes for building and intersecting topology layers. The Java DGN package will support JDBC access to databases (via the development API). It also provides support for a host of native Java third-party development tools for generating database forms.

Question 2: Where can I find information on the Java development API?

Answer: HTML document files are available in \Bentley\Program\GeoGraphics\jmdl\geo\dgn. Information on the delivered compiled JMDL examples is located in the index.html file from the \Bentley\Program\GeoGraphics\jmdl\examples\geo\dgn directory.

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Question 3: What databases are supported in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?

Answer: The following charts outline MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0 database support by platform.

Notes: *Access 2.0 is no longer supported with ODBC.

Question 4: What happened to the MicroStation GeoGraphics directory structure?

Answer: The MicroStation directory structure has been reorganized to facilitate updating MicroStation (continuous improvement) and to reduce the possibility of overwriting data when reinstalling MicroStation during those updates. This especially makes sense for the engineering configuration - it's separates the discipline specific engineering products from the main MicroStation tree and workspace.

MicroStation GeoGraphics is now located under it's own "GeoGraphics" directory under \Bentley\Program. The new directory tree is as follows:

Figure 1

For more information on the new MicroStation /J directory structure, see http://www.bentley.com/technotes/technotes/7120.htm.

Question 5: On what platforms is MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0 supported?

Answer: MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0 has been developed and certified to run on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, and Windows 98.

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Question 6: What happened to Image Manager in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?

Answer: Image Manager is now exclusively delivered in MicroStation/J. Image Manager must be turned on under "Utilities" in the MicroStation/J installer for it to be installed--it's not installed by default. After it is installed in MicroStation/J, the Image Manager choice is located under the File > Image Manager menu.

Question 7: Where is the license for MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?

Answer: The license is placed in a different directory from previous versions due to the new MicroStation/J directory structure. The license file is named MSGEO.lic and is saved in the \Bentley\Program\Licensing directory. When you register your new version of MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0, a license file will be sent you. Place the license file in the \Bentley\Program\Licensing directory.

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Question 8: What is the correct version of Microsoft ODBC drivers to use with MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?

Answer: MicroStation/J and MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0 use the Microsoft ODBC drivers of 3.51.1029 or later. Microsoft ODBC drivers prior to 3.51.1029 are incompatible with the MicroStation/J database ODBC server libraries (which MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0 utilizes). These ODBC drivers can be obtained free from Microsoft by downloading them from the web at the following Microsoft URL: http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/uda/mdac_typ.asp.

Microsoft ODBC drivers version 3.51.171300 have been fully certified with MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0.

Question 9: I am unable to commit any changes to the attached ODBC database in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0. It looks like it commits the data successfully, but when I query the database the changes aren't present. What's wrong?

Answer: The Microsoft ODBC drivers you are using are earlier than 3.51.1029 and are incompatible with the MicroStation/J ODBC database server. Install the latest 3.51 ODBC drivers from the Microsoft web site (see Question 8).

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Question 10: Is there any tutorial information delivered with MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?

Answer: Yes. MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0 includes new workflow tutorial documentation. The MicroStation GeoGraphics Workflows are available online in Adobe Acrobat PDF format on the Web Downloads web site as well as in the \Docs\GG_J\workflow directory on the installation CD. The MicroStation GeoGraphics QuickStart Guide is also useful for a general overview in using the MicroStation GeoGraphics tools. The MicroStation GeoGraphics QuickStart Guide is available in Web Downloads and in the \Docs\GG_J\Qkstart directory on the installation CD.

Question 11: What documentation is delivered with MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?

Answer: All documentation is online in Adobe Acrobat PDF format on the Web Downloads web site and on the installation CD in the \Docs\GG_J directory. The available documentation is as follows:

\Progrref - MicroStation GeoGraphics Programmer's Reference Guide; contains MDL and Basic API documentation

\Qkstart - Geoengineering Configuration QuickStart Guide; contains a general overview of MicroStation GeoGraphics to familiarize new users with product functionality

\Referenc - Online Reference Guide; contains descriptions of each utility/tool in MicroStation GeoGraphics

\Setup - Setup Guide; contains information on hardware/software requirements, installing and licensing

\User - User's Guide; contains detailed information for using every tool/utility in MicroStation GeoGraphics; numbered methods for usage

\workflow - Workflows; contain tutorial step-by-step information on using MicroStation GeoGraphics

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Question 12: How many new raster image types are supported with map registry in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0?

Answer: All of the raster image files types Image Manager supports are supported with the map registry in MicroStation GeoGraphics v7.0. These file types are:

Figure 2

Question 13: Will using an explicit path to register a map in the MDIR column of the UGMAP table affect project portability if I share my project with a consultant firm?

Answer: No. If your map files (DGN and raster images) are kept in the <project name>\DGN directory, this directory will always be searched first. For example, if you keep the project map files in the c:\projects\mytown\DGN directory (and have registered them there), and then give them to a consultant who stores the project in d:\work\job1234\mytown\DGN, the map files will be found successfully regardless of what explicit path is stored in the MDIR column of the UGMAP table (because the <project name>\DGN directory is searched first by default).

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