Description:
The following command line options may be used to start MicroStation in various modes.
Solution:
The easiest and most reliable way to determine which command line parameters are supported in the version of MicroStation, MicroStation PowerDraft, Bentley Redline, or Bentley View that you are using is the following:
- From the Windows "Run" command window
- Choose Start > Run from the Windows taskbar.
- In the Open field, enter the full path specification of the executable file for the respective product you want to see the command line parameters for.
- Add a space and then /help or -help or -? or /?
- Press <Enter>
- You should get a DOS window with the command line parameters supported in that product.
- Press <Esc> when you are finished.
or
- Temporarily change the shortcut icon for the product you want to see the command line parameters for:
- Right click on the product shortcut and select Properties.
- Add /help or -help or -? or /? to the end of the Target command line.
- Click Apply (do not click OK).
- Double click the respective icon from your desktop.
- You should get a DOS window with the command line parameters supported in that product.
- Press <Esc> when you are finished.
- Remove what you added to the end of the Target line, then click OK.
NOTE: Below is a list of some of the command line parameters that are available. The first table applies to MicroStation V8 only.
| Switch |
Result |
| -QP <password> |
Specifies password for protected file. |
| -M<model> |
Specifies initial model to open. |
| -help or -? |
Displays Command line arguments for Ustation.exe. |
| Switch |
Result |
| -A<application name> |
Starts the MicroCSL application specified by the application name parameter during the startup of MicroStation. Multiple -a options can be used. |
| -MICROCSL<mcsl application name> |
Starts the MicroCSL application specified as an offline MicroCSL application. (DOS Protected Mode Only) |
| -C<cache limit> |
Specifies the cache limit in KB |
| -R |
Opens the design file in read-only mode |
| -O |
Does not open any reference files |
| -I<parameters> |
Passes through parameters to INITAPPS |
| -U<undo buffer size> |
Specifies the undo buffer size in bytes |
| -WU<user> |
Specifies user configuration |
| -WP<project> |
Specifies project configuration |
| -WI<interface> |
Specifies interface configuration |
| -WD<database> |
Specifies database configuration |
| -WA<mdl-application> |
Specifies MDL application to start at MicroStation initialization (same as MS_INITAPP) |
| -WC<configuration file with path> |
Specifies the configuration file MicroStation will use on startup (for example, -wcC:\Bentley\Workspace\Config\myconfig.cfg). This was added in MicroStation SE. |
| -WR<path> |
Specifies _USTN_WORKSPACEROOT (for example, -wrC:\Bentley\Workspace\). This was added in MicroStation/J. |
| -WS<configuration variable> |
Specifies a configuration variable to be defined (for example, -ws_PROJECTBANK=1). This was added in MicroStation/J v7.1. |
| -DEBUG |
Dumps configuration variables to msdebug.txt and exits |
| -S<startup file> |
Dumps text in the startup file into the command queue after startup |
| -DISPLAY<display name> |
X Windows ONLY - Directs output to the X Windows display device indicated by display name |
| -Q |
UNIX ONLY - Enables the command in MicroStation "!" (Exclamation point) which creates a new Shell. This will override the setting in the workspace>configuration>operation>escape_to_O.S. menu. |