- What does the SE in MicroStation SE stand for?
- How is MicroStation SE being delivered?
- On what operating systems is MicroStation supported?
- Is there a list of new and improved capabilities?
- Are applications delivered with MicroStation SE compatible with MicroStation 95 or other engineering products?
- Will there be new licenses required for MicroStation SE?
- How can I make suggestions for future enhancements to MicroStation?
- What sort of new rendering abilities are going to be included?
- Will raster tools (utilities) be phased out? Will the raster reference tools be replaced by the Image Manager product as the raster engine in MicroStation?
- Will MicroStation BASIC macros, MDL applications, User Commands, and so on need to be rewritten or recompiled?
- What MicroStation BASIC and MDL examples are included?
- Are current products from Bentley Systems and Bentley Strategic Affiliates compatible with MicroStation SE?
- 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?
- 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?
- What happened to the View Controls? Why aren't they in the Main Tool Frame?
- I can't find some of the settings (Active Angle, Working Units, etc.) that were in the Settings menu. Where did they go?
- Will the custom palettes, menus, and workspace configurations I made in Version 5 work?
- Will User Commands still work? I heard that they aren't supported in MicroStation PowerDraft.
- Can I convert User Commands to MicroStation BASIC?
- Is database implementation the same now as it was previously?
- I noticed that the MicroStation license agreement doesn't include license pooling (also known as concurrent licensing). Has that gone away?
- 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?
- What happened to Windows Connection?
- Is there a difference between using digitizers and dual graphics under DOS and using them under Windows?
- Have the 3D surface modeling tools been removed in MicroStation?
- What happened to the Alignments setting that was available in some of the input tools (like Place Line)?
- What resources are available should I have any technical questions on this or other Bentley products?
Question 1: What does the SE in MicroStation SE stand for?
Answer: We have referred to SE as the SELECT Edition. SELECT because it is intended for Bentley SELECTSM subscribers; Edition because we intend to release new functionality and enhancements through "software editions" rather than versions, releases or upgrades. Editions are smaller "chunks of changes" that are more easily digested by users and can be delivered immediately after they have been tested. There will be new editions to all Bentley products on a continual basis, even to individual components within those products.
Question 2: How is MicroStation SE being delivered?
Answer: As each platform is completed, MicroStation SE is being made available to SELECT subscribers via Web Downloads. This will be followed by shipments of MicroStation SE CDs to each SELECT site. MicroStation SE will also be made available on the next Foundation Product Library CD.
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Question 3: On what operating systems is MicroStation supported?
Answer: MicroStation was certified to run on the commercial version of Windows 95 and Windows NT® on Intel® compatible PCs and workstations and Windows NT on DEC® Alpha-based workstations, as well as DOS and OS/2. In addition, the product is supported on various UNIX operating systems (HPUX, IBM AIX, Sun Solaris and SGI IRIX) as well as Apple's MacOSall with consistent functionality and the same user interface!
Question 4: Is there a list of new and improved capabilities?
Answer: We have attempted to identify the key benefits that have been incorporated into the product through mechanisms such as The ClientServer, which has contained articles on a number of MicroStation SE improvements (an electronic version of The ClientServer is available through SELECTservices Online). A list, per se, of new and improved capabilities can be found by accessing the Product area of the Bentley's homepage (www.bentley.com/products/) and proceeding to the MicroStation selection under Foundation Products. Here you'll find an HTML document that can be referenced through Engineering Links™ to actively demonstrate functionality from within the product. It should be noted that this area is updated regularly, so you may want to check back on a regular basis.
And because we maintain a high level of quality in our products, should a valueadded enhancement not fulfill our Product Review Criteria, we will not hesitate to remove it from the "edition", refine it, and make it available at a later date via Web Downloads.
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Question 5: Are applications delivered with MicroStation SE compatible with MicroStation 95 or other engineering products?
Answer: Although some applications included with MicroStation SE may run in MicroStation 95, as well as other Bentley engineering products, they have not been certified to run on any version prior to MicroStation SE. In addition, new applications may rely on some underlying functionality that is introduced in MicroStation SE; this could potentially cause unpredictable results if used elsewhere.
Question 6: Will there be new licenses required for MicroStation SE?
Answer: Since MicroStation SE is for SELECT subscribers only, we will not change the current licensing scheme. The same license information that was used for MicroStation 95 will work in this Edition. (Note that only one license can be used on any one machine at a time, as per the license agreement.)
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Question 7: 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, thirdparty 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 selectservices.bentley.com). You can also contact our worldwide Support group with your ideas and suggestions (contact information is at the end of this FAQ). (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.
Question 8: What sort of new rendering abilities are going to be included?
Answer: All of MicroStation MasterPiece™ (as it exists on the desktop today) is being integrated into MicroStation SE and will become the advanced visualization portion of MicroStation. We are even adding some significant new functionality to this area of the product. It should be noted, however, that this is not the end of MasterPiece technology. We are currently working on a network/server component that will complement the features we are adding to MicroStation SE. Any enhancements to MicroStation MasterPiece (as it was known on the desktop) will be enhancements to MicroStation.
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Question 9: Will raster tools (utilities) be phased out? Will the raster reference tools be replaced by the Image Manager product as the raster engine in MicroStation?
Answer: Image Manager provides improved raster handling capabilities as well as integrating with current and future HMR products. The Image Manager option will "replace" the raster capabilities that are in MicroStation now only if the user installs it. We are providing the same raster reference capabilities that were available in MicroStation 95 (and then some, such as support of GeoTIFF formats).
Question 10: Will MicroStation BASIC macros, MDL applications, User Commands, and so on need to be rewritten or recompiled?
Answer: We have spent a great deal of effort in making sure that nothing would change in MicroStation SE to require the rewriting or recompiling of code. Although we can not test every existing macro, application or user command in existence, the ones that we have tested do run as is. In addition, we are looking at our products and working with Strategic Affiliates and various third-party developers to ensure complete compatibility.
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Question 11: What MicroStation BASIC and MDL examples are included?
Answer: The MicroStation BASIC examples included in MicroStation SE provide pragmatic user functionality and easytocustomize abilities beyond what was delivered with MicroStation 95. In addition, easy-to-understand code can be cut and pasted into other macros or used as templates for sitespecific extensions to Bentley products.
If you install the MicroStation Development Environment (or MDE), you will receive MDL examples demonstrating new capabilities available in the product. (See "GUI Gets a Facelift", which appeared in the Second Quarter 1997 issue of mdlNews_letter and includes an example demonstrating the Tab and ComboBox dialog items. An electronic version of this newsletter is available through SELECTservices Online.) Various compiled MDL examples are also available on MicroStation SE.
Question 12: Are current products from Bentley Systems and Bentley Strategic Affiliates compatible with MicroStation SE?
Answer: All products from Bentley Systems and Bentley Strategic Affiliates are in the process of being fully certified with MicroStation SE. A MicroStation SE compatible version of MicroStation Modeler will be available Q1/98.
A MicroStation SE Compatibility FAQ has been posted. This document details the compatibility of MicroStation SE with products from Bentley Systems and Bentley Strategic Affiliates.
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Question 13: 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 CDROM 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 File Manager or the Windows 95 Explorer to copy the install set, any readonly attributes for files will be copied also. Using XCOPY from a command prompt will not copy the readonly attributes and it will be much easier to remove the compressed installation files once MicroStation is installed.
Question 14: There doesn't seem to be a specific PLT file for my print/plot device. Where can I get one?
Answer: If you are using Windows or MacOS, you might want to consider using the delivered PRINTER.PLT in conjunction with the System Printer driver provided by the output device's vendor.
MicroStation's plotting system generates output in formats supported by today's most common plotting/printing devices. There are two types of plotter driver parameter (PLT) files that are delivered with MicroStation: generic templates (CAL907.PLT, HPGL2.PLT, etc.) and customized parameter files (CAL524xx.PLT, HP650C.PLT, etc.), which were created by tailoring the generic templates for specific devices.
All PLT files reference drivers that create plot information in industryrecognized 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 (Chapter 16).
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Question 15: Where is the Command Window so I can key in information?
Answer: Although the necessity for keyedin input is being deemphasized given the improvements in using and customizing MicroStation's user interface, access to keyins has not been completely removed from the product. In the MicroStation Manager dialog box, you can select the V40 or V50 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 new and improved keyin browser, which includes a small keyin field. At any time while keying in a command, you can press the <Space> 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 keyedin command history for easy access to less frequently used tools.
Question 16: What happened to 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 enhanced windowing tools. 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.
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Question 17: I can't find some of the settings (Active Angle, Working Units, etc.) that were in the Settings menu. Where did they go?
Answer: In a continuing effort to streamline the user interface, similar tools and dialog boxes have been consolidated. For example, in Version 5, about a dozen icon palettes and settings boxes needed to be open at the same time to make any changes in Dimension settings. These have now been moved into a single modeless dialog (it does not have to be dismissed to continue operation) to make changing these parameters easier. Active design file settings have also been consolidated into 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.
Question 18: Will the custom palettes, menus, and workspace configurations I made in Version 5 work?
Answer: Yes, they will. Simply set the environment variable _USTN_DEFUSERINTNAME=v50 to use Version 5 custom user interfaces. One of the main reasons why the V50 User Interface is included is to allow MicroStation V5 user interface modifications to work in MicroStation. In addition, even though Tool Palettes are supported, a method to convert palettes to resizable, dockable and easily customizable Tool Boxes is provided in MicroStation.
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Question 19: Will User Commands still work? I heard that they aren't supported in MicroStation PowerDraft.
Answer: User Commands are definitely supported in MicroStation. No enhancements have been made in this area, mainly because MicroStation BASIC offers userlevel programmability that is not easily achievable with User Commands. With MicroStation BASIC, there is now an easy way to improve your productivity by automating oftenused sequences of operations without requiring highlevel language development skills or being limited by macro languages.
Question 20: Can I convert User Commands to MicroStation BASIC?
Answer: Documentation and tools regarding the process of creating MicroStation BASIC templates from User Commands are available. Consult the Support and Services Guide regarding how to contact Bentley to obtain these materials.
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Question 21: Is database implementation the same now as it was previously?
Answer: Database implementation has been enhanced in MicroStation. The database settings submenu lets you switch between databases (and servers) without reconfiguring/restarting. It gives you the ability to connect and run with a database even when there is no MSCATALOG table. It also gives you the option to create the MSCATALOG table if it doesn't exist, and provides the ability to create tables in the currently open database.
Note: For ODBC implementation, you must obtain the appropriate database drivers that are supported in MicroStation. Please refer to the documentation for additional information.
Question 22: 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 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 WHAT YOU MAY READ IN OTHER AREAS OF THE PRODUCT.
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Question 23: How do I get to a DOS shell from MicroStation running in Windows?
Answer: Although the preferred method is to open an MSDOS prompt window by double clicking on the MSDOS icon (usually found in Windows' Main Program Group), the NTBANG MDL application (found in ..\ustation\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 BMAKEWIN (in Windows 95/NT) and set the configuration variable MS_CONSMODE=1 before running the application. See ..\ustation\mdl\examples\ntexmpls\ntbang.txt for further setup instructions.
Question 24: 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 Windows 95 or Windows NT will run only in Windows 95 or Windows NT and not in DOS. Similarly, MDL applications compiled specifically for DOS will run only on DOS and not in MicroStation running under Windows. To develop MDL applications that run on 32bit x86 Windows (or to recompile existing applications), you need at least one copy of Windows 95 or Windows NT.
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Question 25: What happened to Windows Connection?
Answer: Up to and including MicroStation V5, our "Windows Connection" enabled MicroStation to run in an application window within Windows 3.11. Even though the same 32bit DOS executable was used in both DOS and Windows 3.11, "Windows Connection" let MicroStation work like other Windows applicationsincluding offering the ability to transfer data back and forth between applications. However, the consensus was that "Windows Connection" performance was not as good as that of the DOS version. And, unlike the Windows NT versions of MicroStation, which use 32bit Windows DLLs, the product was not a true Windows 3.11 application.
MicroStation for Windows does not use the "Windows Connection". There is now one MicroStation executable specifically for DOS and another one for all 32bit Intelbased Windows platforms, including Windows NT and Windows 95.
Question 26: Is there a difference between using digitizers and dual graphics under DOS and using them under Windows?
Answer: Yes, there is a difference. DOS executables, including MicroStation for DOS, communicate directly with digitizer tablets and graphics controllers. Windows applications, like MicroStation for Windows, communicate with these devices through a Windows input/output (I/O) layer. If you plan to use a digitizer or dual graphics in Windows 95 or Windows NT, contact your tablet and/or graphics card vendor to obtain more information.
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 Windows Digitizer Tablet Interface, which is delivered with MicroStation.
The DOS version of MicroStation supports any thirdparty display drivers that function with MicroStation V5. The Windows version of MicroStation uses your existing Windows display. It is possible to configure Windows to use dual graphics as long as the graphics card vendor supports it. Both displays (either a dualport card or two of the same graphics cards) must be configured exactly the sameincluding screen resolution and color depth (this is opposite from the way that dualhead graphics operate in DOS.) For more information on using dual monitors, see the Dual Monitors with MicroStation Technical Bulletin.
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Question 27: Have the 3D surface modeling tools been removed in MicroStation?
Answer: No, they have not. During the planning and subsequent implementation of MicroStation, we made a commitment not to introduce new object types so the impact on current projects would be minimal. At the same time, new capabilities were developed specifically to improve productivity. MicroStation's 3D tools are no exception. A significant number of enhancements and new functions were added to these tools, including surface trimming. And, although products like MicroStation Modeler should be seriously considered for complex modeling, the 3D Boolean tools do exist in MicroStation. They can be accessed through a Version 5 palette, keyin or by adding them to the user interface, which is easy to do with the customization tools that are now available.
Question 28: What happened to the Alignments setting that was available in some of the input tools (like Place Line)?
Answer: AccuDraw® (Patent Pending), the definition of easy data input, has superseded Alignments, which were somewhat restrictive and not extendible. AccuDraw is a facility designed to streamline the drawing process. In general, it can be thought of as a mechanism by which the position and orientation of any element can be easily and precisely established, monitored, and modifiedin 2D or 3D. In reality, AccuDraw collectively combines abilities such as DX=, DL=, and DI= keyins; grid snap; and axis lock among others. To activate AccuDraw, simply click the Start AccuDraw icon (the one with the Tsquare and triangle on it) that is in the Primary Tool Box.
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Question 29: 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 MicroStationbased products. These include:
- Taking advantage of the priority services that are available through Bentley SELECT
- Referencing the README.TXT file that is delivered in the same directory/folder as the executable for MicroStation
- Referencing this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document
- Searching the Online Help delivered with the product (some custom installation options will not include the help)
- Checking regularly with the Bentley Web site (selectservices.bentley.com/technotes) for TechNotes, Bulletins, and FAQs
- Referencing the printed documentation
- Contacting your MicroStation ValueAdded Reseller (MVAR) or your local Bentley reseller
- Connecting to various electronic MicroStation forums as identified in the Support and Services Guide