Video and Display Issues
Basic solutions for video and display issues
For Dual Processor Systems
- Set <MS_PROCESSORS=1> in the Microsoft Windows NT system environment, (control panel > system > environment tab). See Bentley TechNote: Machine Lockup using Dual Processors and Windows NT 4.0
- Lower hardware\graphics acceleration rate under display properties
- Change colors to 256
- Make sure it is not file specific. If it is, then it's possible that the file is corrupted. Run EDG on the file.
- Rename or delete the imouse.ma file in the \bentley\program\microstation\mdlsys\required directory. Note: This will disable the mouse wheel.
- Set Refresh Frequency to adapter default
- Increase virtual memory
- Try a different video card
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Disappearing Elements When Zooming
- Make sure it is not file specific. If it is then it's possible that the file is corrupted. Run EDG on the file.
- Obtain latest video card driver
- Lower hardware acceleration rate:
For Windows 95/98/ME: go to Display Properties > Settings > Advanced > Performance > Slide the Hardware Acceleration to None
For Windows 2000 and XP: go to Display Properties > Settings > Advanced > Troubleshooting > Slide the Hardware Acceleration to None.
For windows NT: (rare) change the colors to 256
- Service Pack 3 of Windows NT 4.0 automatically loads and installs a video driver. Manually reload manufacturer's video driver.
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Elongated, Skewed, or Stretched Objects
MicroStation automatically detects the aspect ratio of the display screens on most systems. In some configurations (including some dual screen Windows displays), the video driver returns incorrect display size information, causing elements to appear stretched in either the horizontal or vertical direction. The MicroStation configuration variable MS_ASPECTRATIO can be used to set and correct the aspect ratio in these situations. See Bentley TechNotes: Setting the MicroStation Aspect Ratio and Dual Monitor Setup .
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Ghost Images or Phantom Lines
When moving MicroStation palettes on screen, the palettes duplicate, leaving an image of the dialog behind. The images will remain until a view update is done.
For Dual Processor Systems
Set <MS_PROCESSORS=1> in the Microsoft Windows NT system environment, (control panel > system > environment tab) See Bentley TechNote Machine lockup using dual processors and Windows NT 4.0.
For Windows NT 4.0, Upgrade to MicroStation 05.07.00.41 or later - Some of the ghosting issues were fixed in this version.
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Icons do not Display Correctly
MicroStation does not display the icon graphics in tool/dialog boxes.
Icons displayed are blank or gray
- Obtain latest Video Card driver
As a workaround in Windows 95/98 under Display Properties > Settings > Advanced > Performance, the graphics\hardware acceleration can be lowered to improve the situation. This works in most cases to restore the icon display. We believe that lowering the graphics display prevents the video driver from taking any shortcuts to improve performance. Users who have used this workaround indicate that there is no noticeable loss in performance.
For Windows 2000 and XP: go to Display Properties > Settings > Advanced > Troubleshooting > Slide the Hardware Acceleration to None.
For Windows NT, change the colors to 256
See Bentley TechNote: MicroStation SE® Display Issues with Pentium II and AGP
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Panning Issues
When panning with MicroStation on an Intel Windows NT 4.0 system with dual processors, the view freezes in the middle and pans on the outside edges. If you keep panning the system will eventually lock up. Windows NT must then be restarted.
For Dual Processor Systems
- Set <MS_PROCESSORS=1> in the Microsoft Windows NT system environment, (control panel > system > environment tab)
- See Bentley TechNote Machine lockup using dual processors and Windows NT 4.0
- For Windows NT 4.0, Upgrade to MicroStation 05.07.00.41 or later - Some of the panning issues were fixed in this version
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Tool Tips do not Display
Other Bentley Video/Graphics/Display TechNotes
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