Microstation V8 Xm Configuration Tricks
MicroStation V8 XM
Configuration Tricks
Some Variables You Might Enjoy
BE 2007 Conference Session MW1BP404
P.H. Rhodes, Inc.
Training, Consulting and Support Services
Copyright
Copyright 2007 P.H. Rhodes, Inc. All rights reserved. Produced in the United States of America. This
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About the Presenter
Patrice Rhodes of P.H. Rhodes, Inc. is an independent consultant specializing in on-site customized
software training, support and CAD management services. Patrice has provided CAD management
services and extensive MicroStation training for clients in a variety of disciplines including civil,
municipal, transportation, architectural, mechanical, electrical, environmental remediation and cartography,
with a strong focus on incorporating client data and procedures into her training programs. Patrice has also
designed custom training programs in areas related to document management, engineering safety
procedures and insurance rate quoting software. She also conducts seminars on training and course
development for her clients. Patrice has been creating and implementing successful training, support and
CAD management programs for eighteen years, and is celebrating her thirteenth anniversary as President of
P.H. Rhodes, Inc. in 2007. Patrice is a member of Mensa, Intertel and the NTA.
.
P.H. Rhodes, Inc.
Training, Consulting and Support Services
E8185 Hogsback Road
Reedsburg, WI 53959
(608) 524-0831
patrice@phrhodesinc.com
Copyright © 2007 P.H. Rhode s, Inc. All rights reserved.
1. Mask the Ability to Create Graphic Groups
The ability to create graphic groups can be removed by adding the following capability
masking variable:
_USTN_CAPABILITY < -CAPABILITY_GRAPHIC_GROUP
With this capability masking option set as shown:
v Users CANNOT create new graphic groups by using either the Add to Graphic
Group tool or the group add key-in.
v Users CAN drop elements from existing graphic groups by using either the
Drop from Graphic Group tool or the group drop key-in.
2. Mask the Ability to Lock Elements
The ability to lock elements can be removed by adding the following capability masking
variable:
_USTN_CAPABILITY < -CAPABILITY_ELEMENT_LOCK
With this capability masking option set as shown:
v Users CANNOT lock selected elements by using either the Lock item in the
Edit menu or the change lock key-in.
v Users CAN unlock existing locked elements.
3. Mask the Ability to Set the Active Element Class to
Construction
The ability to set element class to Construction can be removed by adding the following
capability masking variable:
_USTN_CAPABILITY < -CAPABILITY_ELEMENT_CLASS
With this capability masking option set as shown:
v Users CANNOT set Active Class to Construction by using either the Active
Element Class menu in the Attributes tool box or the active class construction
key-in.
v Users CANNOT change existing elements to Construction class by using either
the Change Attributes tool or the change class key-in.
4. Mask the Ability to Set the Active Element
Transparency
The ability to set element transparency can be removed by adding the following
capability masking variable:
_USTN_CAPABILITY < -CAPABILITY_ELEMENT_TRANSPARENCY
With this capability masking option set as shown:
v Users CANNOT set the Active Transparency by using either the Active
Element Transparency menu in the Attributes tool box or the active
transparency key-in.
v Users CAN change the transparency of an existing element with the Change
Attributes tool, but the Change Attributes tool will not change the Active
Transparency setting.
v Users CAN change the transparency of an existing element to the Active
Transparency with the change transparency key-in, but users will be unable to
change the Active Transparency setting.
Copyright © 2007 P.H. Rhodes, Inc. All rights reserved.
5. Mask the Ability to Set or Change Element Priority
The ability to set or change element priority can be removed by adding the following
capability masking variable:
_USTN_CAPABILITY < -CAPABILITY_ELEMENT_PRIORITY
With this capability masking option set as shown:
v Users CANNOT set element priority by using either the Active Element Priority
menu in the Attributes tool box or the active priority key-in.
v Users CANNOT change element priority with the Change Attributes tool.
6. Control the Display of Level Names
The display format for level names, numbers and/or descriptions in the Active Level
menu in the Attributes tool box can be controlled by setting the following variable:
MS_LEVEL_DISPLAY_FORMAT = <format>
<format> can include any sequence of the following:
N
- Displays level name
D
- Displays level description
C
- Displays level code (number)
<format> can also include most other keyboard characters. except </> and <#>.
Copyright © 2007 P.H. Rhodes, Inc. All rights reserved.
7. Set the Active Level Menu Width
The width of the Active Level menu in the Attributes tool box can be controlled by setting
the following variable:
MS_LEVEL_PICKER_WIDTH = <width>
The <width> value sets the menu width in pixels. The default is approximately 130.
8. Control the Use of Design History
The ability to access design history can be removed by setting the following variable:
_USTN_CAPABILITY < -CAPABILITY_DESIGN_HISTORY
Masking this capability prevents users from initializing, committing changes to and
reviewing design history. Changes made to the design file while this capability is
masked will appear as recent (uncommitted) changes in the Design History box when
design history is enabled.
For those who use design history, the following three variables can be set to control how
design history saves changes:
MS_DESIGN_HISTORY_COMMIT_ON_MODEL_SWITCH = 2
MS_DESIGN_HISTORY_COMMIT_ON_SAVE = 2
MS_DESIGN_HISTORY_COMMIT_ON_CLOSE = 2
Setting those three variables will cause design history to commit changes “silently”
without prompting the user upon switching models, saving changes or closing a file,
respectively.
Copyright © 2007 P.H. Rhodes, Inc. All rights reserved.
9. Select Default View Menus
The following configuration variables select the default view tool boxes (that appear in
the view borders) for 2D and 3D design files:
MS_VIEWTOOLBOX2D = <tool_box_name>
MS_VIEWTOOLBOX3D = <tool_box_name>
v The default view control tool box for 2D files is 2D View Control.
v The default view control tool box for 3D files is 3D View Control.
v Creating and selecting a custom tool box that contains view control tools along
with other useful tools is a great way to make use of otherwise wasted screen
space.
10. Assign a Macro to Run Each Time a Design File is
Opened
The following configuration variables can be set to direct MicroStation to automatically
run macros each time a design file is opened:
MS_DGNAPPS < RUNMACRO
MS_DGNMACROS < <macro_name>
The MS_DGNAPPS variable creates the MS_DGNMACROS variable. The
MS_DGNMACROS variable assigns the names of macros to run each time a design file
is opened.
Copyright © 2007 P.H. Rhodes, Inc. All rights reserved.
Thank you!
I hope you enjoyed the session!
Need help with training or CAD management?
If you would like some help with this or any other MicroStation topic,
I offer the very best consulting services
and the finest quality training programs,
customized to fit your standards.
Patrice H. Rhodes
of
P.H. Rhodes, Inc.
Training, Consulting and Support Services
(608) 524-0831
patrice@phrhodesinc.com
Copyright © 2007 P.H. Rhodes, Inc. All rights reserved.
