- On what operating systems is MicroStation/J supported?
- I'm using Windows 95 and whenever I try to install MicroStation for Windows off the CD, I get an error message and the installation process exits. What do I need to do?
- MicroStation/J's directory structure seems different than in previous editions of MicroStation. Does this mean that all my workspace components and/or configuration variables will no longer work?
- I noticed that the MicroStation license agreement doesn't include license pooling (also known as concurrent licensing). Has that gone away?
- How do I run Java applets or applications in MicroStation?
- Why is it that when I use QuickVisionGL on Windows NT, a message appears stating that opengl32.dll is obsolete?
- Can I use QuickVisionGL on Windows 95?
- I'm planning to purchase an OpenGL-accelerated graphics card. What is recommended for optimal performance of QuickVisionGL?
- I've enabled Graphics Acceleration in a 3D design, but when I start the Rotate View tool, a wireframe cube appears. Is there any way to enable dynamic rotation for the model?
- Why is it that the resulting display on the screen when rendering or using QuickVisionGL sometimes appears faceted instead of smooth?
- There doesn't seem to be a specific PLT file for my print/plot device. Where can I get one?
- Where is the Command Window so I can key in information?
- Where are the View Controls? Why aren't they in the Main Tool Frame?
- Where are the settings (Active Angle, Working Units, etc.) that were in the Settings menu?
- Will User Commands still work?
- Can I convert User Commands to MicroStation BASIC?
- Is database implementation the same now as it has been in the past?
- How do I get to a DOS shell from MicroStation running in Windows?
- Why can't I run MicroStation for DOS MDL applications in MicroStation for Windows?
- Can I use a digitizing tablet when running MicroStation for Windows?
- Does MicroStation for Windows support dual or multi-monitor display?
- How can I make suggestions for future enhancements to MicroStation?
- What resources are available should I have any technical questions on this or other Bentley products?
- Where is the site.txt file in MS/J?
- When migrating my workspaces to MicroStation/J, can I reuse my user preference files?
- How do I set the Exact Colors in MicroStation/J? The MicroStation user preference for Exact Colors is no longer available.
Question 1: On what operating systems is MicroStation/J supported?
Answer: MicroStation/J was tested to run on the commercial version of Windows NT 4, Windows 98 and Windows 95 on Intel compatible computers and workstations.
Question 2: I'm using Windows 95 and whenever I try to install MicroStation for Windows off the CD, I get an error message and the installation process exits. What do I need to do?
Answer: This is most likely due to a conflict with a 16-bit CD-ROM driver that is currently installed on your computer. Please upgrade the CD-ROM driver with one that is specific to Windows 95. If this is not available, the installation routine will run if you copy the \windows\install directory tree from the CD to a local or network drive and run the installation procedure from there. Please note that if you use Explorer to copy the install set, any read-only attributes for files will be copied also. Using XCOPY from a command prompt will not copy the read-only attributes and it will be much easier to remove the compressed installation files once MicroStation is installed.
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Question 3: MicroStation/J's directory structure seems different than in previous editions of MicroStation. Does this mean that all my workspace components and/or configuration variables will no longer work?
Answer: MicroStation/J's directory structure was designed to make administration of Bentley products very easy and efficient while minimizing the impact on existing workflows. It facilitates a continuous improvement model for engineering products and minimizes the possibility of overwriting user created data. For detailed information regarding this, a MicroStation/J Directory Structure Summary is delivered with MicroStation/J and can be downloaded from the Web Downloads Web site.
Question 4: I noticed that the MicroStation license agreement doesn't include license pooling (also known as concurrent licensing). Has that gone away?
Answer: Standard intellectual property practice now requires execution of a separate agreement for concurrent usage (or license pooling.) Among many other benefits, Bentley SELECT(SM) subscribers are automatically eligible for this highly efficient and very economical mechanism. More information can be obtained by contacting the Bentley regional headquarters that serves your area. Phone numbers for the nearest office can be found in the Support and Services Guide.
NOTE THAT THIS SUPERSEDES THAT WHICH MAY EXIST IN OTHER AREAS OF THE PRODUCT.
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Question 5: How do I run Java applets or applications in MicroStation?
Answer: Java applets and applications can be run from a DOS command line using appletviewer.exe (for applets) and java.exe (for applications) respectively. They can also be executed inside a MicroStation session using the appletviewer <appletURL> and java <applicationURL> keyins from MicroStation's Key-in Browser.
Question 6: Why is it that when I use QuickVisionGL on Windows NT, a message appears stating that opengl32.dll is obsolete?
Answer: That typically indicates that an older version of OpenGL that is not compatible with QuickVisionGL was detected. You need to obtain an updated version of the OpenGL driver from Microsoft by installing Windows NT 4 Service Pack 3 in order to run QuickVisionGL.
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Question 7: Can I use QuickVisionGL on Windows 95?
Answer: Microsoft has provided OpenGL capabilities as part of Windows NT and Windows 98. As such, QuickVisionGL is supported on those operating systems (note that the prerequisite for QuickVisionGL on Windows NT is Service Pack 3 for Windows NT 4). Early versions of Windows 95 do not contain OpenGL support, while Windows 95B (OSR2) contains an older version of OpenGL that is not compatible with MicroStation/J's QuickVisionGL.
To disable the QuickVisionGL warning dialog that may appear when running MicroStation/J on Windows 95, go to Workspace > Configuration... > Operation > Graphics Accelerator and remove the reference to qvisgl.
Question 8: I'm planning to purchase an OpenGL-accelerated graphics card. What is recommended for optimal performance of QuickVisionGL?
Answer: Although Bentley does not recommend specific hardware peripherals, if you choose to purchase OpenGL-accelerated hardware, QuickVisionGL will take significant advantage of graphics subsystems that have the following specifications:
- z-buffer of at least 24 bits,
- image depth of at least 16 bits (an informational message dialog will appear if the Windows display subsystem is configured for less than 16-bit color depth),
- though not mandatory, enough video memory to support double buffering
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Question 9: I've enabled Graphics Acceleration in a 3D design, but when I start the Rotate View tool, a wireframe cube appears. Is there any way to enable dynamic rotation for the model?
Answer: Sure. Make sure that the Dynamic Display toggle is enabled in the Tool Settings dialog when you use the Rotate View tool in a 3D design with Graphics Acceleration.
Question 10: Why is it that the resulting display on the screen when rendering or using QuickVisionGL sometimes appears faceted instead of smooth?
Answer: The Stroke Tolerance (Settings > Rendering > Setup > General) controls the smoothness of rendered display. This user defined setting sets the maximum deviation (in pixels) from the surface mesh to the true surface. This determines the size of the polygons that some curved surfaces are divided into when it is rendered. A small value produces many small polygons that very closely approximate the surface at the expense of increased rendering time. A large value produces a coarse mesh with larger polygons that can be rendered significantly faster.
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Question 11: There doesn't seem to be a specific PLT file for my print/plot device. Where can I get one?
Answer: MicroStation's plotting system generates output in formats supported by today's most common plotting/printing devices. There are three types of plotter driver parameter (PLT) files that are delivered with MicroStation, generic templates (CAL907.PLT, HPGL2.PLT, etc.), customized parameter files (CAL524xx.PLT, HP650C.PLT, etc.), which were created by tailoring the generic templates for specific devices, and PRINTER.PLT, which works in conjunction with the System Printer driver provided by the output device's vendor.
The first two types of PLT files reference drivers that create plot information in industry-recognized formats (CAL907/PCI, HPGL/2, ESC/P, etc.) If a specific PLT file does not exist for the device that you are using, you may be able to use an existing PLT file (visit Bentley's Web site at www.bentley.com/ for information on popular printer/plotters and what their recommended PLT files are), or you can create one relatively easily yourself by starting with one of the delivered generic template PLT files that produce output in a format that your device supports. With the flexibility that is provided in the PLT files, you can then customize the file to your device's specific needs by adding or modifying supported PLT statements with the assistance of the MicroStation User's Guide.
Question 12: Where is the Command Window so I can key in information?
Answer: Although the necessity for keyed-in input is being de-emphasized given the improvements in using and customizing MicroStation's user interface, access to key-ins has not been completely removed from the product. In the MicroStation Manager dialog box, you can select various User Interfaces or the Command Window Style when you are using MicroStation's Default User Interface.
An alternative to MicroStation's Command Window is a key-in browser, which includes a small key-in field. At any time while keying in a command, you can press the bar to complete the unfinished portion of the command. The dialog is also dockable to the top or bottom of the screen and can be expanded to show MicroStation's command table and keyed-in command history for easy access to less frequently used tools.
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Question 13: Where are the View Controls? Why aren't they in the Main Tool Frame?
Answer: By default, View Controls are displayed in the view window borders for quick access to MicroStation's window tool extensions. These tools include the ability to window in on specific areas, to zoom in and out and pan, and to perform dynamic rotation and perspective adjustments. And, even though dynamic panning is still supported, there are scroll bars along the bottom and right sides of the view windows to move the display to the right and left or up and down. As with most of the MicroStation interface updates, these controls can be easily enabled or disabled. If you disable them, the View Control tool box can be activated from the Tools menu.
Question 14: Where are the settings (Active Angle, Working Units, etc.) that were in the Settings menu?
Answer: Similar form and function tools and dialog boxes are grouped together. Dimension settings are in a single modeless dialog (it does not have to be dismissed to continue operation) to make changing these parameters easy. Active design file settings are also consolidated in a single dialog box. In previous versions, it was sometimes difficult to determine what specific information was actually stored in the design file header and what was stored in the user preference file. Now, information that you change in the user preference dialog affects your preferences, and active settings that you change in the Design File Settings box are updated in the design file header when you execute File > Save Settings.
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Question 15: Will User Commands still work?
Answer: User Commands are definitely supported in MicroStation. No enhancements have been made in this area, mainly because MicroStation BASIC offers user-level programmability that is not easily achievable with User Commands. MicroStation BASIC provides an easy way to improve your productivity by automating often-used sequences of operations without requiring high-level language development skills or being limited by macro languages.
Question 16: Can I convert User Commands to MicroStation BASIC?
Answer: Documentation and tools (particularly the UCM2BAS MDL application) to assist in the process of creating MicroStation BASIC templates from existing User Commands are provided on MicroStation's delivery media.
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Question 17: Is database implementation the same now as it has been in the past?
Answer: MicroStation's database subsystem is one of the most powerful parts of the product. Like MicroStation itself, its form and functionality are always being improved to provide the best tools and utilities possible to give you access to the most currently used database systems while minimizing impact on current workflows. Whether you use the database settings submenu to switch between databases (and servers) without reconfiguring or restarting, or the verification tools automate detection and correction of orphan linkages, or the Visual Query Builder to generate queries of varying complexity as well as join tables, the database interface provides an efficient and easy way to interact with non-graphic data from within MicroStation's graphic environment.
Note: For ODBC implementation, you must obtain the appropriate database drivers that are supported in MicroStation. Please refer to the documentation, ReadMe HTML document, and Bentley Web site for additional information regarding this.
Question 18: How do I get to a DOS shell from MicroStation running in Windows?
Answer: Although the preferred method is to open an MS-DOS prompt window by starting the MS-DOS command shell, the NTBANG MDL application (found in ..\mdl\examples\ntexmpls\) that is delivered with MicroStation for Windows enables you to send DOS commands from within MicroStation. NTBANG users will need to build the application using BMAKE and set the configuration variable MS_CONSMODE=1 before running the application. See ..\mdl\examples\ntexmpls\NTBANG.TXT for further setup instructions.
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Question 19: Why can't I run MicroStation for DOS MDL applications in MicroStation for Windows?
Answer: MDL applications contain data that is specific to the platform on which they were compiled. MDL applications compiled for DOS will not run in Windows NT, Windows 95 or Windows 98. To run MDL applications on 32-bit x86 Windows, you need to obtain the corresponding Windows MDL application or recompile source code on Windows NT, Windows 95 or Windows 98.
Question 20: Can I use a digitizing tablet when running MicroStation for Windows?
Answer: Yes, you can. MicroStation for Windows supports the use of digitizing tablets that are compatible with the WINTAB digitizer standard developed by LCS/Telegraphics Corporation. WINTAB support is provided by a Microsoft Windows device driver that is supplied by the tablet manufacturer. Most major tablet manufacturers support or plan to support WINTAB. When MicroStation is used with a WINTAB-compatible tablet, all of MicroStation's digitizing and command features are supported. MicroStation automatically detects the presence of a WINTAB-compatible tablet and enables these features if one is available.
If your digitizer manufacturer does not have a WINTAB compatible driver or you are not satisfied with the driver that you are using, you may want to use the Bentley's Digitizer Tablet Interface, which can be installed with MicroStation by enabling the appropriate option in the MicroStation utilities section of the installation program.
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Question 21: Does MicroStation for Windows support dual or multi-monitor display?
Answer: Yes, it does with the appropriate operating system and graphics subsystem configuration. MicroStation for Windows uses your existing Windows display. It is possible to configure Windows to use dual graphics as long as the graphics card vendor supports it. Dual screen graphics are supported with vendor-supplied drivers for Windows NT 4 and Windows 95. Multi-monitor configurations are supported with Windows 98.
A special user preference needs to be enabled for the purpose of using MicroStation on a two-screen system. If Workspace > Preferences > GUI Options > Open Two Application Windows is off (the default), two MicroStation application windows are not opened. If this user preference is on, two MicroStation application windows are opened.
Question 22: How can I make suggestions for future enhancements to MicroStation?
Answer: We are always open to new ideas that will benefit the MicroStation community. There are various ways that we receive constructive feedback from users, resellers, third-party developers, and, yes, even ourselves, which is reviewed for consideration in future editions of our products. Two of the most efficient mechanisms to contribute are through an E-mail address (change.request@bentley.com) and a Web page for SELECT subscribers (found at www.bentley.com/select/). You can also contact our worldwide Support group with your ideas and suggestions. (Note: Sometimes a fax is the best way to illustrate an idea.)
We cannot guarantee that every change request or idea we receive will be implemented. However, a great deal of consideration is given to each request. We will typically investigate every possible option to find a way to implement requests that will benefit the entire user community.
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Question 23: What resources are available should I have any technical questions on this or other Bentley products?
Answer: There are a variety of ways to get the latest technical information on MicroStation and MicroStation-based products. These include:
- Taking advantage of the priority services that are available through Bentley SELECT
- Referencing the ReadMe HTML document that is delivered in the same directory/folder as the executable for MicroStation
- Referencing this Frequently Asked Questions (or FAQ) document
- Searching the On-line Help delivered with the product (note that some custom installation options will not include the help)
- Checking regularly with the Bentley Web site (www.Bentley.com/) for TechNotes, bulletins, and FAQs
- Referencing the printed documentation
- Contacting your technical support provider
- Connecting to various electronic forums as identified in the Support and Services Guide
Question 24: Where is the site.txt file in MS/J?
Answer: The file \win32app\ustation\config\site\site.txt has been moved and renamed to \Bentley\Workspace\Standard\license.txt.
Question 25: When migrating my workspaces to MicroStation/J, can I reuse my user preference files?
Answer: No, you cannot reuse your user preference files from version to version of MicroStation in this manner; MicroStation/J will generate a new file. Because of added functionality, the format of user preference files frequently changes. Using an older file may produce unexpected results.
Question 26: How do I set the Exact Colors in MicroStation/J? The MicroStation user preference for Exact Colors is no longer available.
Answer: The color model in MicroStation/J was changed so that MicroStation always uses the same fixed color table. MicroStation/J now requires a 256 or higher color palette, therefore, the internal color palette is the same every time you run MicroStation. Prior to MicroStation/J, MicroStation would select a color from the color table for vectors, even if the system had a true color setup, so using the exact colors was the only way to get true color fidelity. Previous versions only used true color for renderings. Now the system can be configured for true color (65,536 colors or higher) and thus get exact colors for vector objects. The Exact Color value is no longer needed.
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