Archive for August, 2006

FileFixer certified for MicroStation V8 XM Edition.

Monday, 7 August 2006

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, USA — Axiom, the world’s most experienced developer of time-saving MicroStation solutions, announces the release of FileFixer version 8.7b for MicroStation V8 XM Edition. FileFixer, Axiom’s solution for MicroStation design file corruption, is ready for clients as they move to XM.

Red hot and ready to repair! FileFixer for V8 has been put through two year’s worth of testing to ensure it is ready for the much-anticipated V8 XM Edition

FileFixer version 8.7b for MicroStation V8 XM Edition certification began in 2005 with early XM betas. Five years’ worth of carefully collected and catalogued client files were thoroughly tested to identify differences in behavior between MicroStation V8 version 8.5 (V8 2004) and 8.9.2.52 (V8 XM). FileFixer for V8 was enhanced to accommodate key differences. Clients using MicroStation V8 2004 will also benefit from the FileFixer for V8 version 8.7b enhancements.

When a V8 file’s level table is damaged or missing, graphical elements become “stranded” on levels which aren’t defined. In such cases MicroStation V8′s Element Information command displays a blank level name for the element — a blank level name is a symptom of level table corruption.

When such “stranded” graphical elements are modified (moved, scaled, changed symbology, etc.) MicroStation always “moves” the element to the Default level — without warning and without choice. One FENCE MOVE command could completely destroy the level structure of a design — all graphical elements ending up on the Default level.

FileFixer for V8 offers a superior solution and keeps the user in control. When a file’s level definitions are damaged or missing, FileFixer for V8 moves each stranded element to a new level, but retains the original level relationships for all elements. Elements which previously occupied a particular level are reunited with all other elements which also occupied that level. New level names are auto-generated and can be used as is or can easily be edited in MicroStation’s Level Manager dialog to restore their original labels.

FileFixer for V8 version 8.7b now has the ability to create a missing level table (to which repaired levels can be added). Previously, there were cases of design file corruption where it was necessary to manually import a healthy level table by opening the Level Manager dialog, selecting File|Import, browsing for the correct level table and hitting <OK> prior to FileFixer repair processing.

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Bentley announces the commercial release of MicroStation V8 XM Edition.

Monday, 7 August 2006

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, USA — During the BE Conference that took place 21–25 May, Bentley announced the official release of the much-anticipated commercial version of MicroStation V8 XM Edition. With a new and aesthetic user interface, an unchanged DGN file format and full support for existing V8 standards, Bentley reassured users that V8 XM allows current V8 users to implement the new version without disrupting their workflow.

Transparent dialog boxes are one of the many interface enhancements in MicroStation V8 XM Edition

CEO Greg Bentley said, “MicroStation V8 XM hits the mark! It brings immediate project throughput improvements without introducing the pain and delays that so often accompany advances this substantial.”

What’s new?
Here is a list of some of the innovations in V8 XM:

Reference Enhancements: Among the many enhancements in V8 XM, now users can: attach a PDF as a reference to a design file, dynamically manipulate reference clipping boundaries with handles and attach multiple instances of the same model at different stages of development using Design History.

Element Templates: An element template is a set of attributes, saved under a name, which can be applied to new or existing elements. Element templates may be organized in hierarchical groups for easy organization. Each element template is created and modified inside the Customize dialog box (Workspace | Customize, “Templates” tab).

Project Explorer: The Project Explorer is a Windows-Explorer-looking window, accessible from File | Project Explorer, that allows XM users to easily group project information including DGNs, DWGs, PDFs and Microsoft Office documents.

The new Project Explorer allows users to easily group project information including DGNs, DWGs, PDFs and Microsoft Office documents.

DirectX Graphics System: A new display subsystem leverages Microsoft DirectX technologies — the same high-speed graphics technology that drives the video gaming industry — to significantly increase view and navigation speed in 2D and 3D designs.
PANTONE® and RAL Color Systems: V8 XM’s 24-bit color support delivers richer, more consistent presentations.

Keyboard Position Assignments: V8 XM’s patented keyboard position assignment provides users with immediate access to any MicroStation command at the stroke of a key. Also, it allows users to customize their mouse functionality to increase the performance of view and model navigation.

Visualization, Animation and 3D Modeling Enhancements: With the added ability to create parametric 3D geometry, mesh modeling for creating lightweight structures and new handles for intuitive and interactive editing, V8 XM is the MicroStation edition with the most 3D modeling power. Also, V8 XM has improved visualization capabilities for photo-realistic rendering and new animation tools.

V8 XM has improved visualization capabilities for photo-realistic rendering and new animation tools.

V8 XM is a part of the V8 Generation, which already features the following innovations:
Native DWG Support: Enables MicroStation users to work directly with DWG files, DGN files, or any combination of the two. Since MicroStation is the only CAD program that fully supports both DGN and DWG files, MicroStation users have a clear competitive advantage over firms using other CAD software.

Digital Security: Applies electronic signatures to drawings and supports multi-level access privileges for projects.

Design History: Gives users the ability to isolate and view any change or set of changes to a design file. Using Design History, users can review a complete history of changes made to a design file and restore the design data in a file to before any particular set of changes.

What do the users think?
Below are some thoughts about V8 XM gathered at BE Conference:

  • “The user interface and features were shocking to me in their power and vision.”
  • “Very exciting stuff!”
  • “Transparency, PANTONE referencing and priority element selection are terrific!”
  • “Keyboard mapping is fantastic and will massively improve efficiency for advanced users.”

Where can you get V8 XM?
V8 XM is now available to all Bentley SELECT subscribers for immediate download from SELECT Services Online. For more information on V8 XM, go to www.bentley.com/microstation.

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Did you BE?

Monday, 7 August 2006

Scenes from the BE Conference 2006

Axiom’s Greg McKinney has some “Q and A” time with the attendees.

A crowd gathers to watch Axiom’s Vice President for Marketing, Ivan Pena, demonstrate MicroStation Productivity Toolkit.

BE attendees got to practice their driving skills between sessions.

Mark Eugenio of Hawaiian Electric Company and Axiom’s Mike Arroyo

The “BE Speedway” was the center point of the exhibit floor.

Peter Sagal of the National Public Radio program “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me!” hosts the BE Awards of Excellence Ceremony.

Greg Bentley participating in the Pit Stop challenge

Axiom’s Mogens Troelsen and Fortis Bank’s Philippe Monserez pointing to Axiom’s $12 million sign in disbelief

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Introduction to Level Libraries

Monday, 7 August 2006

Level libraries are a MicroStation V8 enhancement that allow you to ensure consistency by offering an easy way to standardize level settings in your design files. Level libraries are very similar to the LVL files found in previous versions of MicroStation [Editor's note: In V7, the levels are not named, they are numbered and the names are just aliases stored in a text file with the extension .lvl.].

Find the Level Manager display under the Settings dropdown.

Making a Level Library
The Level Manager (Settings | Level | Manager) dialog box is where you create, modify and manage the levels you are working with.
First, you need to build your library:

Click the New Level icon to create a new level.

When your library is complete, go to Levels | Export to export your level library as a DGNLIB file or as a CSV file.

Attaching a Level Library
From the Level Manager dialog box, select “Attach” from the Levels drop down menu. This opens the Attach Level Library dialog box where you can browse and attach a level library.

Select “Attach” from the drop down menu.

Browse to find the appropriate library. Hit <OK> to attach the library.

The Level Manager dialog will now display the levels in the attached level library.

Filtering Out the Library Name
When a level library is attached to a design file, the name of the level library (filename) shows up next to the level name. Sometimes, depending on the length and complexity of your level and level library names, the Level Manager dialog box can get cluttered and can be hard to read with the level name and level library filename together. Using a handy configuration variable, you can hide the level library filename from view so that it does not show next to the level name.

Here’s how:

  1. Open the “Configuration: User” dialog (Workspace | Configuration).
  2. Select “Level” as the category and click <New>. Enter the following variable into the New Configuration Variable dialog:
    MS_HIDE_LIBRARY_SOURCE_NAMES = 1

    3. Enter in the new configuration variable.

  3. Accept and save the configuration variable.
  4. Close MicroStation and relaunch it.

Now, look at the Level Manager dialog and you will notice that the level library filename is gone, leaving you with a simplified display in the Level Manager dialog.

End result: clarity!

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New Mexico Department of Transportation uses MicroStation Productivity Toolkit to fight file corruption and gray hair.

Monday, 7 August 2006

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, USA — Due to the ever-changing world of technology, the New Mexico Department of Transportation implemented a CAD support team that uses MicroStation Productivity Toolkit to handle issues such as file corruption, cell management and project specification adherence. Silas Salazar, CAD Support Unit Manager, was available to tell us a bit about his team and their success over the past eight years implementing Toolkit in the department. Read on to see what he had to say about Toolkit, the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the future of CAD.

The New Mexico DOT CAD support team. Front row, left to right: Tina Ruiz, Val Salazar and Jessica Roybal. Back row, left to right: Steve Trujillo, Ricardo Lopez and Silas Salazar

MicroStation Today: How was your team assembled?
Silas: Our group was created ten years ago to begin the transition from our mainframe CAD system to PC-based workstations. Our group, as it exists today, supports over 120 MicroStation and InRoads users throughout the New Mexico Department of Transportation. The strength of our staff is the result of the wide range of experiences they bring to the table as former bridge, roadway and traffic designers and technicians. As in all drafting and design environments, we are constantly fighting a battle to control the quality of the digital data flowing in and out of our department of transportation.

MST: How have Axiom products helped solve the problems that you encounter in your position?
Silas: Our department of transportation has been using Axiom products for nearly eight years. At the user level, we attempt to simplify drafting workflow so the staff can concentrate on design issues. Microsoft Office Importer and CellManager have served us well in this arena. Our traffic section especially loves the ease of cell creation and maintenance that CellManager offers due to the sheets no longer being a merging and scaling battle.

The bulk of MicroStation Productivity Toolkit is used by the support group as a maintenance and quality control tool. FileFixer and Problem Element Viewer have saved our department of transportation countless hours and dollars by simply not having to recreate corrupted design files. These tools along with SpecChecker are used to review our consultant electronic deliverables as part of the project closeout process.

MST: Where do you see yourselves in ten years?
Silas: In ten years, three of us will be retired and probably spending our days fishing while letting others fight the gray hairs. At this point in all our careers I do not believe we would rather be doing anything else. For me personally, it takes an extreme amount of energy to keep up with this workload and ever changing technology. I hope ten years down the road I find myself in good health and able to enjoy a slower-paced lifestyle.

MST: What book do you wish you had written?
Silas: My son will turn two years old next month, so I wish I had written A Two-Year-Old’s Guide to Raising a 40-Year-Old Dad.

MST: What do you predict will be the “next big thing” in CAD?
Silas: In the transportation CAD field, I believe the “next big thing” will be GIS [Editor's note: GIS or "geographic information systems" is a collection of computer hardware, software, and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information]. The ability to easily interface and manipulate GIS datasets for transportation projects will determine which companies will continue to do business within department of transportation environments.

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