MicroStation V8 Workspace Basics (AKA Opening Pandora’s Box) Presenter: Michael Eyre San Diego Bentley Users Group Presents

MicroStation Workspace Basics What is a workspace? A collection of files that control where the support data is located How MicroStation should work, or not work Where can the user first see these files? User, Project, and Interface Components

Support files handled by a Workspace: Seed Files Cell Libraries DGN Libraries Resource Files Color Tables What have I left out?... What makes a Workspace?

Configuration Files and processing order

How are these files organized? The levels System Level (System Stuff)System Level (System Stuff) Application Level (InRoads, Triforma…)Application Level (InRoads, Triforma…) Site Level (everybody gets it)Site Level (everybody gets it) Project Level (specific to a project)Project Level (specific to a project) User Level (just for that User)User Level (just for that User)

The Startup Priority for Config Vars

Brain Overload! Forget all that stuff, I just want to: Add a custom MDL or Macro to my interface Find my own function keys file locally Make my own list of available cells Make my own interface portable Get rid of the stupid MicroStation registration box Add my local directory as a source for reference files

Opening Pandora’s Box Setting up a ms_debug shortcut to determine the current setup Workspace Assistant – File Order Syntax of variable editing: # = %lock

Ok, that was too much like programming Is there an easier way to make edits? Editing a variable in your User Configuration file (UCF) from within MicroStation – Select vs. Edit

Oops! I broke something, how do I fix it? Missing Reference files “XXXXX is already loaded” message Variable I tried to set didn’t take

MicroStation Workspace Basics How to keep your CAD manager happy: Don’t customize for the sake of customization Make backups of all files before editing Use the # key – copy a variable before editing it Add comments as you go for documentation Don’t mess with files that might affect other users

Pandora’s Box = Closed Questions? Scenarios? For more information on available variables: MicroStation Help, Administrators guide. Find new MicroStation variables in the release notes AskInga site for instructions: Good list of variables: Bentley discussion groups – go to bentley.microstation.administrationhttp://discussion.bentley.com/

SDBUG needs you! Officers Meeting Minutes Next Topic / Presenter? Tips/Tricks/Featured Tool Segments?

San Diego Bentley Users Group Thank you all for coming!