MicroStation/JTM

Setup Guide
DAA00451A-1/0005

Trademarks
AccuDraw, Bentley, the B Bentley logo, MDL, MicroStation, MicroStation/J, MicroStation PowerDraft, MicroStation SE, PowerScope, QuickVision and SmartLine are registered trademarks, and Bentley SELECT is a service mark of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or Bentley Software, Inc. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, the Acrobat logo, Distiller, Exchange, and PostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other brands and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners. United States Patent Nos. 5,815,415 and 5,784,068.

Copyrights
1999 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. MicroStation 1998 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. IGDS file format 1981-1988 Intergraph Corporation. Intergraph Raster File Formats 1993 Intergraph Corporation. Portions 1992-1994 Summit Software Company. Portions 1992-1997 Spotlight Graphics, Inc. Portions 1993-1995 Criterion Software Ltd. and its licensors. Portions 1992-1998 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Portions Unigraphics Solutions, Inc. Icc 1991-1995 by AT&T, Christopher W. Fraser and David R. Hanson. All Rights Reserved. Portions 1997-1999 HMR, Inc. Portions 1992-1997 STEP Tools, Inc. Sentry Spelling-Checker Engine 1993 Wintertree Software. Unpublished - rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. All rights reserved.

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Table of Contents
1. System Requirements for MicroStation
Installation Considerations_________________________________1-1 Read the README file _________________________________ 1-1 Installation options _____________________________________ 1-1 Know your system ______________________________________ 1-1 Hardware and Software Requirements_______________________1-2 Input devices __________________________________________ 1-3 Output devices _________________________________________ 1-3

2. Getting Started
Screen Layout ___________________________________________2-1 Window Controls _______________________________________ 2-1 Window Navigation _____________________________________ 2-2 Using Pull-down Menus _________________________________ 2-3 Using Dialog Boxes and Settings Boxes _____________________2-6 Menus in dialog boxes and settings boxes__________________ 2-6 Controls _______________________________________________ 2-7 Selecting files __________________________________________ 2-9 Using MicroStation _______________________________________2-11 Starting MicroStation ____________________________________ 2-11 Using the Mouse or Digitizing Tablet ______________________ 2-11 Using the PC Keyboard__________________________________ 2-15

3. Running MicroStation
Using Multiple Screens in Windows_________________________3-1 Using International Characters in Windows __________________3-3

Appendix A: Memory Use and Configuration

Memory Needed For Swap-free Operation on the PC __________A-1 Memory for the element cache ___________________________ A-2 Memory for the range tree _______________________________ A-2 Memory for backing store________________________________ A-3 Memory needed for database operation ____________________ A-4 Memory needed for rendering or visible edges file creation ___ A-4 Total system memory required for swap-free operation_______ A-5 Working With Limited Amounts of Memory ________________ A-5

MicroStation/J Setup Guide

Table of Contents: Bentley Digitizer Tablet Interface

Appendix B: Bentley Digitizer Tablet Interface

Appendix C: Removing MicroStation Files (UnInstallation for Windows)

Index

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System Requirements for MicroStation

This chapter lists the hardware and software considerations for running MicroStation.

Installation Considerations
For installation instructions, see the MicroStation Quick Install Guide included with the product CD.

For information on setting up and using a digitizing tablet, see the Bentley Digitizer Tablet Interface (BDTI) for Window document (bdtidoc.html) located on the product CD.

Read the README file

The ReadMe.htm file contains information about MicroStation that may not be in the printed documentation. The Read1st.htm that is located on the root of the CD contains quick installation instructions, and can be viewed with a web browser. After installation, a ReadMe.htm that contains product specific information is saved in the MicroStation root directory.

Installation options
Before you begin installing MicroStation, take a moment to plan where and how you will install it. The default destination for the MicroStation root directory is: c:\Bentley\.

Disk space requirements The hard disk space required for installation depends on the installation options chosen. Refer to the installation programs dialog boxes or screens for recommended free disk space requirements.

Know your system

Depending on your operating system, you may need to know the answers to these questions when installing MicroStation:

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Hardware and Software Requirements

Do you intend to use MicroStations ability to link graphic elements in your designs with information in external database software? Do you plan to use database files over a network? If so, what is the default network directory for the database files? Do you plan to install the MicroStation Development Environment (MDE) files to develop MDL, Java, or JMDL applications?

Hardware and Software Requirements

To run MicroStation, you must have one of the following:1
Hardware
Pentium-class or better IBMcompatible PC

Operating System
Windows NT 4 or above Windows 95 Windows 98

You should also have: A mouse or digitizing tablet. A display system that can display graphics. Sufficient RAM. The recommended amount of memory depends on the type of computer, operating system, design file size, and other factors. For more information, see Appendix A: Memory Use and Configuration. Sufficient amount of free space on the disk where MicroStation is installed. For details on how to determine your specific memory requirements, see Appendix A: Memory Use and Configuration.

For additional information on hardware and software requirements, such as, which databases you can use with your operating system, contact BentleyWeb at http:// www.bentley.com/support. Click on Technical Support to get the latest information.

1. See the Hardware Compatibility List provided with Windows.

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Hardware and Software Requirements

Input devices
MicroStation accepts command menu input from a Microsoftcompatible mouse or the cursor or stylus used with a digitizing tablet, and the keyboard.

Output devices
MicroStations plotting system generates output in formats supported by most 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.) PRINTER.PLT, which works in conjunction with the System Printer driver provided by the output devices vendor. All delivered MicroStation plot driver parameter file reference drivers that create plot information in industry-recognized formats (such as CAL907/PCI, HPGL/2, HPGL/RTL, ESC/P, TIF, CGM, and SVF). If a specific PLT file does not exist for the device that you are using, you may not be able to use an existing PLT file (see Bentleys Web site at http:/www.bentley.com/tools for information on popular printer/plotter and their recommended PLT files), or you can create one yourself. To create your own PLT file, open one of the delivered generic template PTL files that produce output in a format that your device supports. You can then customize the file to your devices specific needs by adding or modifying supported PLT statements. You can then add or modify supported PLT statements in the file to customize it for your specific device.

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System Requirements for MicroStation

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Getting Started
This chapter includes information to run MicroStation on the Windows operating system. In this section, you will find general information on screen layout, window controls, pull-down menus, and dialog boxes.

Screen Layout
The application window is arranged by default as follows:
Menu bar

Primary tool box Main tool frame View window (1 of 8)

Standard tool box

Tool Settings window

Status bar

The title bar of the MicroStation window identifies the active design file and its dimensionality (2D or 3D).

Window Controls
In MicroStation, view windows, dialog boxes, and tool boxes have a control menu that opens when you press on the window menu button at the far left of the title bar.

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Screen Layout
All standard Windows items are listed in the control menu. Items that are not available in MicroStation are dimmed and cannot be chosen.

Window Navigation
Views, tool boxes, dialog boxes, and settings boxes are displayed graphically in windows. Windows contain controls that can be operated graphically, by clicking or dragging, and controls that can be operated or take input from the keyboard.

Primary and Standard tool bars, view window, and Tool Settings window

Design File Settings dialog box

The window in which a keystroke has an effect is said to have the input focus. The title bar of this window is highlighted. One way to give a window the input focus is to click in the window.

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Screen Layout
You can also use the keyboard to move the input focus from one window to another. Use these keys to navigate between windows:
Key
<Shift-Esc> <Tab> <F6> <Shift-F6>

Function
Moves input focus downward through the window hierarchy. If a window is closed, its level in the hierarchy is skipped. Toggle between different fields within current dialog. Moves input focus from one settings box (or the Primary tool bar) to the next. Same as <F6> but moves through the windows in the reverse order.

To move the input focus from one window to another

N Click in the desired window.

or Press <Alt-F6> until the desired windows title bar is highlighted.

Using Pull-down Menus

Pull-down menus (menus, for short) are used in MicroStation to activate many functions. Each menu is a list of one or more words (menu items). MicroStations main menu bar is the application window menu bar (or, on systems that do not have application windows, the menu bar at the top of the screen). Many of MicroStations settings boxes and dialog boxes also have menu bars, all of which work the same way.

Main menu bar

Operating pull-down menus with the mouse These procedures show how to operate pull-down menus with a mouse. You can also operate and navigate menus with the keyboard; see Operating menus with the keyboard on page 2-5.

To open a menu
N Point at the menu name in the menu bar and press the Data

button (left mouse button by default).

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Screen Layout

To post a menu
N Click the menu name in the menu bar.

To choose a menu item

N With the menu open but not posted (the Data button pressed

and held down), drag the pointer over the item and release the button. If you decide you do not want to choose any item, drag the pointer off the menu and release the button. or With the menu posted (Data button released), point at the item and click it. If you decide you do not want to choose any item, click outside the menu. Whether you post and click or drag is a matter of personal choice; MicroStation lets you choose menu items both ways. When you open or post a menu, some items may be dimmed. You cannot choose a dimmed menu item. When certain conditions are met, a dimmed menu item is enabled and can be chosen. For example, when no element or text is selected, the Cut and Copy menu items in the Edit menu are dimmed. The Cut and Copy menu items are enabled only when text is in the Text Editor window or one or more elements are selected.

To close an open menu (without choosing an item)

N Drag the pointer out of the menu and release the Data button.

Once opened, a menu is posted when you release the Data button.

To close a posted menu (without choosing an item)

N Click outside the menu.

Symbols in menu items Choosing an item with an ellipsis (...) opens a modal dialog box that must be dismissed before subsequent operations are allowed. For information about how to use dialog boxes and settings boxes, see Using Dialog Boxes and Settings Boxes on page 2-6. A checkmark displayed with an item tells you whether the named option, attribute, or setting is in effect. Choosing the item toggles the option on or off.

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Screen Layout
An arrowhead to the right of the item text indicates that a submenu opens when you click that item or drag the pointer over it. A menu can have multiple children sub-menus. The menu from which a sub-menu is opened is sometimes referred to as the submenus parent menu.

For example, to choose Open from the File menu, press <Alt-F> to post the File menu, and then <O> to choose Open. Mnemonic access character sequences (for example, <Alt-F>, <O> for File menu > Open) can also be used to choose main menu items when certain windows have the focus: AccuDraw window Key-in window

Before you can use the keyboard to operate a menu, the input focus must be on some control in the same window. For information about navigating between windows with the keyboard, see Window Navigation on page 2-2. Use these keys to operate menus. (It is assumed that a control in the same window as the menu bar has the input focus.)

Key
<Alt- mnemonic access character>

Function
If menu bar is inactive, activates it and posts menu with corresponding underlined mnemonic access character. If menu bar is active, posts menu with corresponding access character. If menu bar is active but a menu is not posted, posts menu with corresponding underlined mnemonic access character. If menu is posted, chooses item with corresponding access character. In menu bar, moves to menu to the left; at extreme left, wraps to rightmost menu. In posted menu, moves to next menu. (In posted sub-menu, closes sub-menu and moves to parent menu.)

Key identified by mnemonic access character <>

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Operating menus with the keyboard In each menu name and menu item, one character is underlined. That character is the mnemonic access character. It identifies the keyboard key that can be pressed to open the menu or choose the menu item.

Using Dialog Boxes and Settings Boxes

Key
<>

Function
In menu bar, moves to menu to right; at extreme right, wraps to leftmost menu. In posted menu, moves to child sub-menu of selected item, if any otherwise to next menu. If no menu is posted, posts selected menu. In posted menu, selects item above current item; at top, wraps to bottom. If no menu is posted, posts selected menu. In posted menu, selects item below current item; at bottom, wraps to top. Chooses selected menu item. If menu is posted, closes menu but leaves menu bar active. If no menu is posted but menu bar is active, deactivates menu bar.

<>

<>

<Return> <Esc>

Keyboard accelerators Keyboard accelerators are provided for choosing some menu items. Accelerators are shown to the right of menu items.

Using Dialog Boxes and Settings Boxes

MicroStation has dialog boxes for a variety of operations, including opening and saving different types of files. For example, the Open Design File dialog box is used to open a design file. Save Plot As dialog box is used to name and save a plotfile you are creating. A settings box is a dialog box that can be left open on the screen while you work. Other dialog boxes must be closed before you can go on to something else. The controls in both work the same way, so the term dialog box can generally be assumed to include settings boxes.

Menus in dialog boxes and settings boxes

Many dialog boxes have pull-down menus from which you can choose functions appropriate for the operations performed with the dialog boxes. Dialog boxes that are used to select files to open, import, attach, display, or run contain File and Directory menus, as well.

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Using Dialog Boxes and Settings Boxes File menu in dialog boxes used to open files From the File menu, you can choose from among the last four files opened with the dialog box. For example, the File menu in the Open Design File dialog box contains items for up to four of the most recently opened design files. (These same files also are listed in, and can be opened from, the File menu in the MicroStation window.) The File menu in the Run User Command dialog box contains up to the last four user commands run. If no files of the appropriate type have been opened, the File menu contains the item No File History.
If the configuration variable MS_FILEHISTORY is set to 1, up to four of the last files selected are shown.

File menu in Open Design File dialog box

Directory menu in dialog boxes used to open files From the Directory menu, you can choose Select Configuration Variable (see MicroStation/Js On-line Help), Current Work Directory, or one of the numbered (1, 2, 3, and so on) directories.
The current work directory is the directory that was the current directory when you started MicroStation. Some users segregate their projects by directory and start MicroStation in a particular directory to work on that project. Choosing Current Work Directory from the File menu displays the files in the directory in which MicroStation was started.

Controls
Dialog boxes have the following types of controls: Buttons are areas that you click to start an operation. A button, usually labeled OK, must be clicked to start the open or save operation and dismiss (close) the dialog box. Check boxes are areas that you click to turn on or off a setting on or off. When on, a check box is filled with a gray box. A field is an area into which you can key in text or numbers. In a non-modal settings box (one that can remain open while you work), what you key in has no effect until you press <Tab> or <Return> or otherwise move the input focus out of the field. List boxes are rectangular areas in which files, directories, or other items are listed for selection or reference. When an item is selected, it is displayed as light text on a dark background. For more information about selecting files, see Selecting files on page 2-9.

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Using Dialog Boxes and Settings Boxes

If a list box has a scroll bar, you can move it using an IntelliMouse wheel. For more information, see Mouse Wheel Configuration in the on-line Reference Guide. Option menus are menus that pop down when you press on the currently chosen menu item text. Radio buttons are round controls that let you turn on one of several mutually exclusive items, just as the buttons on a car radio allow you to tune in only one station at a time. When off, a radio button is light gray and appears to project upwards. When on, the radio button is dark and appears to be depressed. If a button in a dialog box is outlined, it is the default button; pressing the <Return> key on the keyboard is the equivalent of clicking that button with the mouse. For example, the OK button in the Open Design File dialog box is the default button, so you can press <Return> rather than click the OK button to open the selected file. You can also double-click the desired file in the Files list box to open it, rather than selecting the file in the Files list box and then clicking the OK button.

Input focus The dialog box control upon which the next keystroke will act is said to have the input focus.
Before you can use the keyboard to navigate in a dialog box, some control in the same dialog box must have the input focus. You can click in a dialog box to give it the input focus. For information about navigating between windows with the keyboard, see Window Navigation on page 2-2. In dialog boxes, the input focus is indicated by a dotted rectangle, the active control indicator. The input focus in a text field is also indicated by the insertion point, which shows where characters you type are inserted.

Within a dialog box, to move the focus from one field or

list box to another
N Press the <Tab> key until the input focus reaches the desired

field or list box. or Press the appropriate arrow key(s) (<>, <>, <>, and <>).

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Using Dialog Boxes and Settings Boxes

or Click in the appropriate field or list box.

Selecting files
Many dialog boxes are used to select a file to open, attach, or use in some other way.

To select a file for an operation in a dialog box

or Key in the filename in the Files field.

Open Design File dialog box

If there are more filenames than can be displayed at once in the Files list box, use the scroll bars to see additional filenames. If the desired file is not listed, modify either the filter or directory selections.

To apply a filter to the list of files

N In the Files field, key in the desired filter for example,

*.dgn. or From the List Files of Type option menu, choose the file type that corresponds to the desired filter. The directory selection is shown in the Directory list box. The disk drive selection is shown in the Drives option menu.

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Getting Started

N Click the filename in the Files list box.

Using Dialog Boxes and Settings Boxes

To select a file in a different directory

N If the files you wish to display are in a sub-directory of the

current directory, double-click the sub-directory in the Directories list box. or From the Directory menu in the dialog box, choose Current Work Directory. or From the Directory menu in the dialog box, choose one of the directories (if any) used recently. There can be up to four listed, numbered 1 through 4. The first time you use a dialog box, the initial directory selection is the directory specified in the definition of a configuration variable. For example, the default definition of the MS_DEF configuration variable specifies that MicroStations initial directory selection in the Open Design File dialog box the first time the dialog box is used. After you use the dialog box, MicroStation remembers the name of the file you selected and the directory in which it was located. It automatically selects them the next time you open the dialog box. For more information on configuration variables, see the Administrators Guide.

To change directories using the keyboard

1. Press <Tab> until the Directories list box has the input focus. 2. Press <>. 3. Press <> or <> to select the desired directory.

or Type a letter to select the first directory whose name begins with that letter.
4. Press <Return> to display the contents of the selected directory.

To display the directories on a different disk

N From the Drives option menu, choose the desired disk.

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Using MicroStation

Using MicroStation
This section contains information on how to use MicroStation with Windows.

The first time you start MicroStation you may be prompted to enter product registration information.

1. In the MicroStation program group, double-click the MicroStation icon.

or In Windows Explorer, double-click a design file icon (with the extension .dgn). or Drag a design file icon from Windows Explorer and drop it on the MicroStation icon. or In Windows Explorer, double-click the icon for the file, ustation.exe.

Using the Mouse or Digitizing Tablet

MicroStation can be used with a mouse, digitizing tablet, or similar pointing device. Buttons on the mouse or digitizing tablet are assigned to send different types of input to MicroStation. These button assignments are called the MicroStation buttons. For example, the button assigned as MicroStations Data button sends a type of input called a data point to MicroStation when pressed. The types of input are explained in the Users Guide. For now, it is important only that you learn the names of the buttons and how to press them.

Using the Mouse If your mouse has three buttons, there is one for each of the most common types of graphic input to MicroStation.

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To start MicroStation in Windows

Starting MicroStation

Using MicroStation
If your mouse has two buttons, you simulate the third button by simultaneously clicking both buttons. The default mouse button assignments are as follows:
MicroStation button
Data Tentative Reset Command Cursor 1 / 3D Data Cursor 2 / 3D Tentative Cursor 3-12

Invoked by
Left button Left button-Right button chord Right button Not available <Alt>-Left button <Alt>-Left button-Right button chord Not available

The defaults are appropriate for a two-button mouse. If you are using a three-button mouse, you should change Tentative to use a single button (rather than the two-button chord) for faster operation.

Using an IntelliMouse You can use an IntelliMouse to manipulate MicroStation view window and dialog box scroll bars. You can also use it to zoom in and out of designs and place tentative points (snap).
You must have an IntelliMouse and the required IntelliMouse drivers already installed on your system. For optimal use of the IntelliMouse in MicroStation, perform the following steps (you only need to set this once).
1. From the Windows Start menu, select Settings > Control Panel. 2. Double-click the Mouse icon. 3. In the Mouse Properties dialog box that opens, select the StepSavers tab. 4. Make sure that the option labeled Select a window just by pointing at the title bar is turned off.

If you are using an IntelliMouse, it works just like a regular twobutton mouse, with the addition of a wheel between the left and right mouse buttons. When you open MicroStation, you can either choose to accept the default settings for the Intellimouse wheel, or you can change them.

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Using MicroStation

To configure the settings of the IntelliMouse wheel

1. From MicroStations Utilities menu, choose Key-in. 2. In the Key-in window, type: IMOUSE CONFIG

The Mouse Wheel Configuration dialog box opens.

Mouse Wheel Configuration dialog box with the default settings displayed

3. Change any settings necessary. 4. Click OK to accept the changes, or cancel to close the dialog box without saving the changes.

To enable the IntelliMouse wheel to also be a button

1. From the Windows Start menu, select Settings > Control Panel. 2. Double-click the Mouse icon. 3. In the Mouse Properties dialog box that opens, select the Wheel tab. 4. In the Wheel Button group box, turn on the Turn on the wheel button. check box. 5. In the Button Assignment drop-down menu, select Default.

After enabling the wheel to also be the middle mouse button, you can then assign it a type of graphical input, such as Tentative (snap). For more information, see Reassigning buttons on page 2-14. For detailed information about using and configuring the IntelliMouse wheel, see Mouse Wheel Configuration in the online Reference Guide.

Typical tablet cursor button layout: (D)ata, (R)eset, (T)entative, and (C)ommand buttons.

Using the Digitizing tablet Before attempting to set up or use a digitizing tablet with MicroStation, it is recommended that you first become familiar with MicroStation basics using the mouse.
Most digitizing tablet cursors (pucks) have at least four buttons. The button layout for typical tablet cursors is shown in the figure. The Command button is used to select commands on a digitizing

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Using MicroStation
tablet menu. The default digitizing tablet button assignments in MicroStation are as follows:
MicroStation button
Data Tentative Reset Command Cursor 1 /3 D Data Cursor 2 /3 D Tentative Cursor 3-12

Button on tablet cursor

1 3 4 2 5 6 7-16

For more information about digitizing tablets, see the note under Installation Considerations on page 1-1.

Reassigning buttons Using the Button Assignments dialog box (Workspace menu > Button Assignments), you can assign button combinations that are:
A single button. A single button modified by the <Alt> key. Two buttons pressed simultaneously (mouse only). Two buttons pressed simultaneously, modified by the <Alt> key (mouse only). To confirm the MicroStation button assignments on your system or to reassign buttons, use the Button Assignments dialog box (Workspace menu > Button Assignments).

To reassign buttons in MicroStation

1. From the Workspace menu choose Button Assignments.

The Button Assignments dialog box opens.

2. In the list box, select the button whose assignment you want to change. 3. Put the pointer in the area below the list box where the instructions appear. 4. Click the button or combination of buttons that you want to assign to the selected button.

The new button assignment is shown in the list box.

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Using MicroStation

Using the PC Keyboard

As a PC user, you will have no trouble identifying the keys described in the Users Guide. The names of the keys are the same as the labels on your keyboard keys. (One possible exception is the <Return> key, which is labeled Enter on some PC keyboards.)

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Function keys MicroStation lets you assign key-ins to the function keys <F1><F12> as well as combinations of those keys and the <Shift>, <Alt>, and <Ctrl> keys.

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Running MicroStation
This section contains information to help you operate MicroStation. This material assumes you are an experienced MicroStation user.

Using Multiple Screens in Windows

You can display MicroStation across multiple video screens in all supported Window environments. Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 require one of several available multi-screen hardware configurations that provide system display drivers to divide the Windows desktop across multiple screens. These drivers are not included with Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0, but are available from the video card manufacturer. Windows 98 and Windows 2000 provide native support for multiple display screens. Additional video cards and monitors are needed. Consult your operating system documentation for supported devices and configurations. Most applications run successfully on these systems since from the application viewpoint, the system contains a single, doublewidth screen. However, since the application is not aware of the screen configuration, this leads to a number of anomalies with certain configurations. First, most dialog boxes appear centered in MicroStations application window. If this window spans more than one video screen, these dialog boxes appear split between each monitor. Another anomaly is the operation of view window commands such as tile, cascade, and maximize. In many instances, performing these functions result in many view windows spanning multiple screens. To solve this problem, an option to open two dual application windows is provided. By setting this option in the Preferences dialog box, MicroStation activates a second application window. This window can, in turn, be dragged onto the second video monitor.

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Using Multiple Screens in Windows

To activate two application windows

1. Open Preferences dialog box (Workspace menu > Preferences). 2. In the GUI Options category, turn on Open Two Application Windows. 3. Click the OK button. 4. Exit and restart MicroStation.

When restarted, MicroStation brings up two application windows. One window has the string (1) appended to its title bar and the second window has (2). This denotes the primary and secondary application windows. By default, dialog boxes, activated tool boxes and other fundamental MicroStation operations occur in application window 1. When the Two-Application Window option is first enabled, both application windows open on the primary video screen cascaded with the primary application window in front. Either application window can be relocated to the second screen. Once moved and resized, MicroStation behaves in most ways like any other twoscreen implementation.

The Two-Application Window option is not limited to dual screen configurations. It can be enabled and used in a single video screen environment.

Working with two application windows Both MicroStation application windows are treated as single applications. As a result, both application windows are active when MicroStation is in the foreground. This eliminates the need to select a particular application window prior to performing an operation within that window.
The main menu bar and status bar The main distinction between application window 1 and application window 2 is where the main menu bar and status bar reside. The main application window will always be the home of these two features. This cannot be changed. Dialog boxes When dialog and settings boxes are opened, they appear in the primary window (application window 1) by default. You can move a dialog box between the two screens by selecting the Change Screen option from the window control menu (upper left

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Using International Characters in Windows

corner of each window). This swaps the dialog or settings box to the opposite application window. Tool boxes Unlike the dialog and settings boxes, tool boxes can be dynamically dragged from one application window to the other. Tool boxes can be docked to either application window. View windows As with other MicroStation dual screen configurations, each view window is assigned a default application window. When commands like cascade or tile views are executed, the view windows respond in their associated application window.
Application Window
1 2

Associated view windows

1,2,3,4 5,6,7,8

You can, however, move a view window between application windows. This is done by selecting the Change Screen command from the window control menu.

Using International Characters in Windows

In Windows, you can use international characters without changing fonts.

To use international characters in Windows

1. In the Program Manager, click on the Control Panel icon.

The Control Panel window opens.

2. Click on the Keyboard icon.

The Keyboard settings box opens.

3. Click the Language tab in Windows 95 or the Input Locales tab in Windows NT. 4. Click the Add button to add a language, and use the Language option menus to select the appropriate Language. 5. Click the General tab.

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Using International Characters in Windows

6. Click the Change button to change keyboard layouts, and use the radio buttons to display the keyboard devices you want to choose. 7. Click on the Regional Settings icon in the Control Panel window. 8. Choose the appropriate tab to set the display of Number, Currency, Time and Date settings. 9. Click the OK button to close the box and save the settings.

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Appendix A: Memory Use and Configuration

This appendix discusses memory usage and configuration considerations for MicroStation.

Memory Needed For Swap-free Operation on the PC

If MicroStation runs out of physical memory, the virtual memory manager has to swap data and program instructions out to disk, reading them in again when they are required. Disk swapping considerably slows performance, especially with large design files. MicroStation runs fastest if it has enough memory available for swap-free operation. The total memory required by your system is the sum of the memory required by MicroStation, the operating system, and other applications that run concurrently (on multitasking systems).
Operating System
Windows NT Windows 95

Memory Required
12 MB 6 MB

MicroStations memory requirement consists of the following components: MicroStations base memory requirement. If the Resource Cache and Undo Buffer user preferences are set to their default values, the base memory requirement is 16 MB. Element cache Memory used to cache elements in design and reference files (that is, store them in RAM). The cache is dynamically allocated for each design file. See Memory for the element cache. Range tree Memory used to contain an optional data structure called the range tree that provides dramatic improvements in snap and update times for views that show only a small portion of a large design. See Memory for the range tree. Backing Store With the Use Backing Store preference on, MicroStation maintains an offscreen copy of each view

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Memory Needed For Swap-free Operation on the PC

window so that obscured areas can be refreshed instantly when windows are rearranged. See Memory for backing store. The memory for a database, if one is used. See Memory needed for database operation. The memory used for rendering. See Memory needed for rendering or visible edges file creation.

Memory for the element cache

When enough memory is set aside to cache (store in RAM) all of the elements in the design file and its attached reference files, access to elements is much faster than if the elements have to be read from the disk every time they are needed.

Having all elements cached provides a major performance improvement. Element caching is useful even if there is enough room for all elements since MicroStation caches as many elements as the available memory allows.

To calculate the optimum element cache size

N Add up the sizes of the active design file and all the unique

reference files attached to it.

For best performance you should set the Max(imum) Element Cache preference to a size at least as large as the combined size of the active design file and attached reference files. Max. Element Cache is set in the Preferences dialog box. By default, Max. Element Cache is set to 10000 KB (about 10 MB).

Memory for the range tree

MicroStation can build a range tree in memory so that it needs to consider fewer elements for a snap or update operation. If there is enough memory available and Max. Element Cache is set properly, the range tree provides dramatic improvements in snap and update times for views that show only a small portion of a large design. The cost for this speed improvement is memory. The amount of memory required for the range tree is not as straightforward to calculate as for the element cache. This is due to two factors:

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Memory Needed For Swap-free Operation on the PC

Not all elements go into the range tree. Only non-complex elements and the headers of complex elements are used. The memory required for an element in the range tree depends on whether the element is in the element cache. A cached element requires only about 16 bytes in the range tree while an element that is not cached requires about 36 bytes.

To calculate the memory required for the range tree

We assume the following (both items 2 and 3 represent extreme worst cases):
1. There is enough memory (and Max. Element Cache is set large enough) to fit all elements in the element cache. 2. All elements are non-complex, meaning they all have to be in the range tree. 3. There are about 20,000 elements per MB.

Given these assumptions RT = (20,000 * 16 * (D + R))/1,000,000 where: RT is the memory required for the range tree in MB. 20,000 is the number of elements per MB. 16 is the number of bytes required by each element in the range tree. D + R is the total size of the design and reference files in MB.

Memory for backing store

The memory required by backing store is the number of pixels per view times the number of open views times the number of bytes per pixel of display depth. Since this is dependent upon the number and size of the open view windows, it may be difficult to estimate but is usually 1.5 to 2 times display memory. For example, on a 1024 768, 256 color (1 byte/pixel) display, the backing store requirement estimate would be 1.5 to 2 times (1024 768 1) or about 1 to 1.5 MB.

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Memory Use and Configuration

Memory Needed For Swap-free Operation on the PC

Memory needed for database operation

Using a database requires additional memory. The amount depends on the database. For information about memory requirements for databases, see the MicroStation/J On-line Help.

Memory needed for rendering or visible edges file creation

Both rendering and visible edges design file creation are time and memory intensive. If either is performed often, a productivity improvement is gained by making more memory available to MicroStation. When a view is rendered, eight bytes are used for each pixel in the image. If anti-aliasing is used, an additional four bytes per pixel are used. If a rendered image is saved, using the Save Image As item in the File menu, an additional three bytes per pixel are used. Example: To save the image with no disk swapping requires: (1024 * 768 * 8)/1,000,000 = 6.3 MB To render a view with anti-aliasing at a resolution of 1024 768 pixels with no disk swapping requires: (1024 * 768 * 12)/1,000,000 = 9.4 MB Therefore, it requires nearly 15.7 MB to render and save the view without disk swapping. Visible edges design file creation is much faster if adequate memory is available, especially if the design file is large. The amount of memory used for visible edges design file creation is difficult to quantify exactly, but is roughly proportional to the design file size.

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Memory Needed For Swap-free Operation on the PC

Total system memory required for swap-free operation

To calculate the total memory needed for swap-free
operation
Add the following: MicroStation Windows version base memory requirement (12 MB) Memory for the element cache Memory for the range tree Memory for backing store Memory for rendering Total = memory needed for swap-free operation

Working With Limited Amounts of Memory

If the available memory is limited and design files are large, there are ways to adjust MicroStation to get the most out of the available memory. The main objective is to minimize disk swapping. MOST IMPORTANT: Disable the range tree by turning on Conserve Memory in the Memory Usage category in the Preferences dialog box. Users with limited memory should disable the range tree for the following reasons: The range tree uses large amounts of memory when there is not enough memory to cache all the elements (recall that the memory required for an uncached element in the range tree is more than twice that for one that is cached). The range tree is an all or nothing data structure that must include all appropriate elements in the entire design file to work. When memory for the range tree runs out, the range tree is completed on disk, causing disk swapping.

If possible, make enough memory available to MicroStation so that all elements in the design and reference files can be cached. Set Max. Element Cache so it is at least as large as the combined size of the active design file and attached reference files.

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Memory Use and Configuration

Memory Needed For Swap-free Operation on the PC

To speed startup when there is not enough memory to cache the entire design, you might want to turn off Use Color Table in the Reference File category of the Preferences dialog box. This eliminates a scan of the reference file(s) at startup. You can turn off Use Backing Store in the View Windows category of the Preferences dialog box to make more memory available. You can use batching procedures to repeat time-consuming procedures (including rendering, visible edge design file export, and DXF translation) without user intervention, for example overnight or during lunch hour. Then the fact that disk-swapping may be necessary is less of a problem. See the File Portability/ Translation Guide for information about the syntax for batch processing.

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Appendix B: Bentley Digitizer Tablet Interface

Bentleys Digitizer Tablet Interface (DTI) is a multi-platform digitizer tablet interface that is compliant with the WINTAB protocol as documented by LCS/Telegraphics. This driver enables you to utilize a variety of digitizer tables and tablets in the Windows environment without requiring a WINTAB driver from the digitizer vendor. Vendor WINTAB drivers are still supported in MicroStation.

For information on setting up and using a digitizing tablet, see the Bentley Digitizer Tablet Interface (BDTI) for Window document (bdtidoc.html) located on the product CD.

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Appendix C: Removing MicroStation Files (UnInstallation for Windows)

Just as you can install groups of files in a custom installation, you can remove or uninstall similar groups of files. Be careful not to delete your own design files, drivers, cell libraries, third-party applications, and other files when you uninstall MicroStation files.

To uninstall a group of MicroStation files

1. From the Windows taskbar, select Programs. 2. Select MicroStation/J, then UnInstaller.

The Confirm File Deletion dialog box opens.

3. Click Yes to remove the application and all of its components.

The UnInstallation program deletes the files.

The UnInstallation program deletes all files that are unchanged from the original install set. It will not delete new files that are not in MicroStations delivery set.

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Index
A
Application Windows using two 3-2 working with two 3-2

E
Element Cache calculate size A-2 memory for A-2

B
Button check 2-7 in dialog box 2-7 reassigning 2-14

F
Field 2-7 File filter 2-9 select in dialog box 2-9 Files uninstalling C-1 Filter file 2-9 Focus input see Input Focus

C
Check Button 2-7 Cursor insertion 2-8 text 2-8

D
Data Button 2-11 Database memory for A-4 Dialog Box 2-6 menus in 2-6 non-modal (settings box) 2-7 select file in 2-9 Dialog Box Item (Control) 2-7 check button 2-7 field 2-7 list box 2-7 option button/menu 2-8 Dialog Boxes 3-2 Digitizing Tablet buttons 2-13 cursor button layout 2-13 Disk Space, requirements 1-1

H
Hardware Requirements 1-2

I
Input Devices 1-3 Input Focus 2-2 move within dialog box 2-8 Install options 1-1 International Characters in Windows 3-3

K
Keyboard mnemonic access character 2-5 navigate menu with 2-5 operate menu with 2-5

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Index: L

L
List Box 2-7

R
RAM requirements 1-2 Range Tree calculate size A-3 memory for A-2 Readme File 1-1 Rendering memory for A-4 Requirements hardware 1-2 software 1-2 Requirements, disk space 1-1

M
Main menu 3-2 Memory for database A-4 for element cache A-2 for range tree A-2, A-5 for rendering A-4 for visible edges design file creation A-4 required 1-2 Use Backing Store A-6 working with limitations A-5 working with limited amounts of A-5 Memory Requirements how to calculate A-5 operating systems A-1 rendering views with anti-aliasing A-4 Menu in dialog box 2-6 keyboard accelerators 2-6 mnemonic access characters 2-5 operate with keyboard 2-5 operate with mouse 2-3 option 2-7 pull-down 2-3 MicroStation menu names 2-1 start 2-11 MicroStation Files uninstalling C-1 Mnemonic Access Character 2-5 Mouse buttons in Windows 2-12 operate menu with 2-3 Multiple Screens in Windows 3-1

S
Screen multiple 3-1 Settings Box see Dialog Box Software Requirements 1-2 Staus Bar 3-2

T
Tool boxes 3-3

V
View windows 3-3

W
Window navigation 2-2 Window Managers Motif 3-1 Window Menu 2-1, 3-1

O
OPEN LOOK 3-1 Option Menu 2-7

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