Looking for a list of topics within the MicroStation Wiki articles?
You should see a list of the Product Areas to the left for all of the various MicroStation Wiki articles but the following page also has a full list of these topics.
MicroStation Product Area List
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MicroStation Programming Forum
MicroStation is an innovative CAD platform used by infrastructure professionals that focuses on capabilities required for architects, engineers, contractors, inspectors, government institutions, utilities, owner-operators, and a broad spectrum of infrastructure roles.
As a platform, MicroStation:
- Provides an integration platform forBuilding Design (BIM)software
- Is at the heart of strategies to improve Plant Design
- Has mapped the whole world in DGN
Learn how you can benefit from MicroStation CONNECT Edition the latest release of Bentley's base CAD platform.
Description
"Innovations by MicroStation" are used to integrate vertical applications from Bentley's comprehensive portfolio of software, delivering interoperability, power, and accessibility. Included in the portfolio is ProjectWise - a scalable collaboration system for connecting people and information across distributed enterprises.
File Format Support
MicroStation's native file format is DGN (DesiGN file), though it can also natively view, reference, and edit a variety of standard CAD formats, including DWG and DXF. MicroStation has evolved through its various versions to include advanced 3D modeling and rendering features such as raytracing, particle tracing, and keyframe animation.
In 2000, Bentley revised the DGN file format for the V8 generation and added capabilities like Digital Rights and Design History.
Advantages
MicroStation is a platform for innovation
MicroStation is a platform for innovation within a comprehensive software portfolio. Enabling users to "go vertical" and increase productivity using industry-specific point solutions while maintaining full data fidelity across the project. For this reason (amongst others) MicroStation is a hit with all kinds of users including architects, engineers, cartographers and contractors for AEC projects and map creation making it a standard among the design elite of the ENR Global 150.
So simple to use
MicroStation has always been a popular choice with discerning users who enjoy a blend of easy-to-use and full-on-power for 2D/3D modeling and visualization. And yet MicroStation V8i still surprises with its mix of accessible power. An intuitive new interface leads the way by placing powerful new features within easy reach of every user - new and old. New keyboard position mapping increases user performance and productivity by up to 300%.
Native DWG support
Innovations by MicroStation appear throughout Bentley's comprehensive portfolio of software. But there are few innovations bigger than multiple file format support within a single platform - arguably the greatest innovation of all. 95% of the world's infrastructure is designed, constructed and maintained using DGN and DWG files. And MicroStation users can directly edit content in both file formats at the same time. This capability makes MicroStation a "must have" interoperability CAD platform.
Microsoft SharePoint collaboration
ProjectWise StartPoint is an entry-level collaboration tool, based on Microsoft Office SharePoint technologies. Its core capabilities allow users to manage, find, and share CAD and geospatial content, project data and Office documents. ProjectWise StartPoint technology is delivered with MicroStation V8 XM Edition and is enabled in the presence of a ProjectWise Named User license. Ideal for small teams working on small projects, ProjectWise StartPoint provides a low-cost entry-level solution for teams residing in the same office most of the time.
Advanced surface / solids modeling tools
MicroStation delivers a range of 3D modeling options. Tools for creating and manipulating complex surface and mesh models with mapped textures. Advanced modeling tools for easy-to-use solids modeling and easy-to-change parametric feature-based solids modeling. In addition 2D/3D Geometry can be published from MicroStation to the Google EarthTM 2D/3D environment and SketchUp models can also be imported directly from the Google 3DWarehouse into the MicroStation V8 XM Edition.
PDF publishing and integration
PDF Publishing and Integration within MicroStation enables users to share 2D and 3D designs in the world's most widely accepted file format. Indeed Bentley was ahead of the AEC-vendor curve when it implemented its support for 2D PDF creation. Then a year later MicroStation gained its 3D PDF publishing tools. This impressive and essential interoperability functionality was improved upon yet again with the launch of the V8 XM Edition. Now MicroStation users can also attach a PDF file as a reference to existing DGN and DWG files. Thus closing the loop on design and review cycles.
DirectX Graphics by Microsoft
For visualization MicroStation gains a new graphics system powered by Microsoft DirectX. The result is new found power for dynamic manipulation of models in wireframe or shaded views. This new power also drives new functionality in the form of support for element transparency, and PANTONE® and RAL® Color Systems for richer visualization. In addition, significant advances in photorealistic rendering and a brand new animation system crown the impressive new visualization capabilities.
Managing Change
Design History provides a complete revision control system, enabling users to track and view incremental changes and to validate those changes using Digital Signatures to confirm the status of a document. With Design History enabled in a DGN file every addition, deletion, manipulation or edit is recorded for future tracking. Design iterations can be compared at key stages and graphical differencing performed. After using Design History you will wonder how you ever managed change without it.
Create consistent work
For consistency we have introduced new task-based tools with element templates, which together enable teams to work consistently and create consistent work. Tasks also provide a consistent way of grouping functions across vertical applications making it easy for a user to transfer their learning and knowledge of one product to another. This powerful innovation by MicroStation provides consistency across the comprehensive portfolio of Bentley point solutions when developed on the MicroStation V8 XM Edition platform.
Unchanged DGN file format
An unchanged DGN file format with continued V8 CAD standards' support makes updates easy for exisiting MicroStation users. Providing file and content stability across distributed enterprises. Full and continued team interoperability is preserved between MicroStation and AutoCAD. The unchanged file format continues to extend data to reach all relevant team participants, and provides a critical and necessary level of consistency, on large, long-lasting, infrastructure projects, where file format changes are a disruptive and unwelcome addition.
MicroStation Extensions
MicroStation Extensions are specialized tools that integrate with and expand MicroStation's core technologies. Each extension can be coupled with MicroStation and downloaded as a single installation package. Any user get a MicroStation Extension -- SELECT subscribers have the additional benefit of using any MicroStation Extension at any time.
MicroStation GenerativeComponents
GenerativeComponents is a parametric design system for creatively, efficiently, and iteratively exploring design alternatives. And it is the first parametric design system to apply the power of symbolic math-through graphical and scripting tools-in order to generate complex geometry with component relationships.
These new tools empower creative architects and engineers as they accelerate their search through endless possibilities for the most efficient design that benefits from both intuition and logic.
MicroStation TriForma
MicroStation TriForma provides the building and plant industries with a common platform for architectural and engineering design. Bentley Architecture, Bentley Structural, Bentley Building Mechanical Systems and Bentley Building Electrical Systems further extend these capabilities to increase discipline-specific productivity and enable Building Information Modeling BIM.
MicroStation PDF Composer
MicroStation PDF Composer provides a secure, compact, always readable format for project delivery. Package an entire AEC project-including MicroStation and AutoCAD drawings, specifications, and Microsoft Office files-into a single PDF document with the touch of a button.
PDF documents generated with MicroStation PDF Composer are interactive and include searchable text, security options, and level and file information.
Product Tour
Courses
http://www.bentley.com/en-US/Training/
See Also
MicroStation Desktop TechNotes and FAQs