Using MSBATCH

Sections:

1. Introduction
2. Using MSBATCH
3. Command Line Parameters
4. Importing a DWG or DXF using DWGIN
5. The Dumptables Command Line Parameter
6. DWGIN Command Line Parameters
7. Exporting a DWG or DXF using DWGOUT
8. DWGOUT Command Line Parameters
9. The Batchfile Parameters

Introduction
MSBATCH has been part of MicroStation for a long time, but because it's initiated from a DOS command prompt many users do not know it exists or if they do, don't know how to use it. MSBATCH is a command line utility that allows special MDL applications called INITAPPs to run outside of MicroStation's graphics environment (note that MicroStation does need to be present in order for the applications to run). There are a number of MDL applications designed to work with MSBATCH:

This TechNote focuses on the import/export of AutoCAD DWG and DXF files using Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT platforms with MicroStation/J v07.01.00.62 or higher.

If you're using a version of MicroStation prior to MicroStation/J, some of the optional parameters may be different but the overall syntax and usage is the same. There are two MDL applications that are used: dwgin.ma and dwgout.ma. Both MDL applications have a number of command line parameters that can be used to override the default settings and configuration variables in MicroStation. The configuration variables that may need to be addressed are:

Using MSBATCH
MSBATCH is a DOS utility so the first thing we need to do is open a DOS window. Change the current directory to \Bentley\Program\MicroStation\ (cd \Bentley\Program\MicroStation\) .

While using MSBATCH, remember the following rules:

• Do not have any spaces in the folder or file names (for example, c:\program files & house plans.dgn).
• Only specify up to 9 parameters in one MSBATCH statement. If more than 9 are used the translation will abort. If more are needed, the batchfile parameter should be used. There is more information at the end of this article that explains the batchfile parameter.
• Always execute MSBATCH from the root folder of MicroStation.

Command Line Parameters
Command line parameters are variables that define values in an MSBATCH statement. DWGIN and DWGOUT have a list of parameters that can be used for each MDL application. There are certain parameters that need to be in every MSBATCH statement and there are some that can be used to override configuration variables and menu settings in MicroStation. All the needed parameters are the same using MicroStation 95 up to and including the latest release of MicroStation/J.

Importing a DWG or DXF using DWGIN
The syntax to import an AutoCAD DWG is (on a single line):

MSBATCH dwgin input:c:\folder-names\*.dwg outdgn:c:\folder-names\ createdgn 
parameter: value parameter: value parameter: value parameter: value 
parameter: value parameter: value

MSBATCH dwgin input:c:\folder-names\*.dxf outdgn:c:\folder-names\ createdgn 
parameter: value parameter: value parameter: value parameter: value 
parameter: value parameter: value

MSBATCH dwgin input:c:\folder-names\*.dwg outdgn:c:\folder-names\ createdgn colors:acadpalette

The Dumptables Command Line Parameter
Using the dumptables parameter will generate an ASCII text file(s) that supplies useful information concerning AutoCAD DWG and DXF file(s) that are selected. This information can be used to customize the import settings and mapping tables to produce an even more accurate translation. This is not a new parameter in MicroStation but it has been enhanced in MicroStation/J. Below is the dumptables parameter syntax for all released versions of MicroStation:

MSBATCH dwgin input:c:\folder-names\*.dwg outdgn:c:\folder-names\ dumptables

This parameter will produce the following information in an ASCII text file(s) that has the same name as the DWG(s) but with a *.dmp extension:

• Font Names
• Block Names
• Layer List
• Line Type List
• Dimension Style Names
• Partial System Vars:

  Version	The version of AutoCAD the DWG was created with.
  EXTMIN	The minimal x,y or x,y,z coordinate location of the DWG.
  EXTMAX	The maximum x,y or x,y,z coordinate location of the DWG.
  LTSCALE	The linetype scale of the DWG.
  LUNITS	The type of measurement the DWG is using.
  VISRETAIN	A system variable that controls dependent layer properties.

• Pline Information
• Xref Information

The dumptable parameter in MicroStation/J has 3 options.

Dumptables:[toFile]	Generates the same report as if no option was specified.
Dumptables:[toScreen]	Generates the same report as the toTable option but only displays it in the DOS window. Will not produce a text file.
Dumptables:[toTable]	This option will create translation mapping tables with the related data needed. The tables still need more information by the user to be used correctly.

Note: The tables that are created will have the same name as the DWG, the name of the table and the extension *.tbl.

[File name]ltype.tbl	The linestyle mapping table.
[File name]layer.tbl	The layer mapping table.
[File name]font.tbl	The font mapping table.
[File name]block.tbl	The block mapping table.

DWGIN Command Line Parameters

Note: All parameters that require a [filename] must also have the full folder path.

Exporting a DWG or DXF using DWGOUT
The syntax to export to an AutoCAD DWG is (on a single line):

MSBATCH dwgout input:c:\folder-names\*.dgn outdwg:c:\folder-names\ createdwg
parameter:value parameter: value parameter:value parameter: value 
parameter: value parameter: value

MSBATCH dwgout input:c:\folder-names\*.dgn outdwg:c:\folder-names\ createdxf
parameter: value parameter: value parameter: value parameter: value 
parameter: value parameter: value

MSBATCH dwgout input:c:\folder-names\*.dgn outdwg:c:\folder-names\ createdwg selfref:merge.

Note: If the selfref: parameter is used and the self-reference file needs to be attached to the exported DWG, do not use the Xref setting. Currently all released versions of AutoCAD cannot have self-reference Xrefs. If this setting is used the attachment will be created but AutoCAD does not support this feature so it will be ignored. If the DWG is imported back into MicroStation the file attachment should work correctly.

Note: All command line parameters except createdwg, createdxf and savesettings must be followed by a colon.

DWGOUT Command Line Parameters

Note: All parameters that require a [filename] must also have the full folder path.

The Batchfile Parameters
This parameter will allow users to specify files from different folders and/or use different, optional parameters in one MSBATCH execution. The various MSBATCH statements are placed inside an ASCII text file--MSBATCH can then execute this text file. This parameter is also useful if a lot of files need to be translated.

The syntax to import an AutoCAD DWG using the Batchfile parameter is:

MSBATCH dwgin batchfile:example.bat

The syntax to export an AutoCAD DWG using the Batchfile parameter is:

MSBATCH dwgout batchfile:example.bat

-iinput:c:\folder-names\*.dwg -ioutdgn:c:\folder-names\ -icreatedgn

-iinput:c:\folder-names\*.dgn -ioutdwg:c:\folder-names\ -icreatedwg

These statements need all of the required parameters that MSBATCH normally uses. The main difference is that there has to be a -i in front of all the parameters for it to work. You can have as many statements as needed.