Release Notes
=============

Welcome! Bentley Systems thanks you for testing this preliminary release of 
MicroStation Version 5.0. We look forward to receiving your problem 
reports. Please feel free to send them to us via fax (preferred) or E-mail. 
Contact information is enclosed with the software. As this is a preliminary 
version, please do not use it with design files for which you do not have a 
backup.

   Summary of Version 4.9.11 Changes and Enhancements
   Summary of Version 4.9.10 Changes and Enhancements
   Summary of Version 4.9.6 Changes and Enhancements
   Summary of Version 4.9.4 Changes and Enhancements
   Consolidated Palettes
   PC Display Driver Enhancements
   Configuration Variables
   Button Assignment
   Keyboard Accelerators
   Using Multiple Cell Libraries
   Plotting Enhancements
   Binary Portable Resource Files
   MicroStation for Windows NT


Summary of Version 4.9.11 Changes and Enhancements
--------------------------------------------------

The following sections summarize the differences between this version 
(4.9.11) and the final Beta version (4.9.10).

Hint:
You can view these release notes in on-line help by choosing Contents from 
the Help menu. To easily "jump" to more detailed help articles, which are 
not included in hard-copy form, click the blue, underlined hypertext. Each 
cross-reference in these printed release notes that does not identify a 
page number is to an article in on-line help.

Because of the large number of software changes just before this release, 
many changes are not yet reflected in detailed help articles. In each such 
case, as much detail as possible is given in the summary section in lieu of 
a cross-reference.

   3D tools
   Snapping
   Dynamic alignment
   Custom line styles
   Settings groups
   Associative patterning
   Reference file user preference
   Screen capture
   Database interface enhancements
   MicroStation button modifiers (Intergraph workstations)
   Panning (Intergraph workstations)
   Miscellaneous user interface enhancements


3D tools
--------

The composition and organization of 3D Tools and View Controls is further 
refined. 



Snapping
--------

There is a new palette, Snap Modes, for accessing snap modes. To open the 
Snap Modes palette, choose Snap Modes from the Palettes menu.



Dynamic alignment
-----------------

Dynamic indexing is enhanced and renamed Dynamic Alignment. As you use 
tools that support dynamic alignment, temporary alignment lines that lie 
along vectors from alignment points are displayed during dynamic update.



Custom line styles
------------------

Most of the enhancements to custom line styles are for improving line style 
definition and editing.

   Activating line styles
   Element line style modification
   Working with stroke pattern components
   Working with point symbol components
   Working with compound components


Activating line styles
----------------------

When using the ACTIVE STYLE (LC=) key-in to activate a line style, you can 
now key in partial line style names. If a partial name does not uniquely 
specify a line style, a dialog box opens from which you can select the line 
style from those whose names were partially specified.

The large button in the expanded Line Styles settings box is now labeled 
Click to Activate (followed by the component description) to indicate that 
clicking the button activates the illustrated line style.



Element line style modification
-------------------------------

The MODIFY key-ins, which were used to dynamically adjust line style 
modifiers for existing elements, are changed to MODIFY LINESTYLE. The 
correct procedure follows

>> To adjust line style modifiers for an existing element:

1. Adjust the modifier settings (Start Width, for example) in the Line 
Styles settings box.
2. In the Change Element sub-palette, select the Change Element Attributes 
tool.
3. Identify the element.
4. Accept the change.
   OR
1. With the MDL application "lstyle.ma" loaded, key in the appropriate 
MODIFY LINESTYLE key-in.
   
Key in:                  to change:

MODIFY LINESTYLE SHIFT   Shift (distance only)

MODIFY LINESTYLE SCALE   Scale factor (all)

MODIFY LINESTYLE DASHSCALScale of variable 
                         length dashes

MODIFY LINESTYLE GAPSCALEScale of variable 
                         length gaps

MODIFY LINESTYLE WIDTH   Width (both start and 
                         end)

MODIFY LINESTYLE STARTWIDStart width only

MODIFY LINESTYLE ENDWIDTHEnd width only


2. Identify the element.
3. Move the pointer to adjust the modifier (the results are displayed 
dynamically).
4. Enter a data point to set the modifier value.
   


Working with stroke pattern components
--------------------------------------

The positions of the two areas in the stroke pattern section of the Line 
Style Editor settings box (which opens when Line Style > Edit is chosen 
from the Element menu) are reversed: The Stroke Pattern Attributes area is 
now above the Stroke Pattern area.

The Stroke Pattern area contains two columns of controls as before but 
there are some changes in the controls.

The left column has the following controls:

Control         Status

Length: (Fixed/ Unchanged.
Variable)

Stroke Type: (DaUnchanged.
Gap)

Invert At: (NoneNew. See 
Origin/End/Both)Invert At.

Corners: (Break/Unchanged.
Bypass)



The right column has the following controls:

Control         Status

Width: (None/FulUnchanged
Left/Right)

Start:          Unchanged

End:            Unchanged

Dash Caps: (ClosOptions are 
Extended/Hexagonchanged. See 
Octagon/Decagon/Dash Caps.
Open)



Controls in the left column can operate on either type of stroke (dash or 
gap). Controls in the right column can operate only on dash strokes and are 
therefore disabled (dimmed) if the selected stroke is a gap stroke.

   Invert At
   Dash Caps


Invert At
---------

Used to change a dash to a gap or vice versa depending on the location of 
the stroke pattern.
*  None -- The stroke will not be inverted.
*  Origin -- The stroke will be inverted in the first repetition of the 
stroke pattern (at the origin of the element).
*  End -- The stroke will be inverted in the last repetition of the stroke 
pattern (at the end of the element).
*  Both -- The stroke will be inverted in both the first and last 
repetitions of the stroke pattern.
   


Dash Caps
---------

Controls the type of end cap that is displayed on each dash stroke. This 
affects only dash strokes that have a width greater than zero.
*  Closed (default) -- The end cap is a straight line connecting the 
outside lines of the stroke.
*  Extended -- similar to Closed but the end of the stroke is also extended 
by a distance equal to one half of the dash width.
*  Hexagon -- The end cap has the shape of an arc with three vectors (half 
of a hexagon).
*  Octagon -- The end cap has the shape of an arc with four vectors (half 
of an octagon).
*  Decagon -- The end cap has the shape of an arc with five vectors (half 
of a decagon).
*  Arc -- The end cap has the shape of a smooth arc (one with high number 
of vectors).
*  Open -- No end cap is displayed. The dash is drawn as two parallel lines 
representing the outside edges of the dash stroke.
   
Using an option with fewer vectors usually results in faster display speed.



Working with point symbol components
------------------------------------

The section of the Line Style Editor settings box (which opens when Line 
Style > Edit is chosen from the Element menu) that shows the base stroke 
pattern has three new controls: Origin, Vertex, and End, each of which 
represents a type of vertex in the base stroke pattern. Only one of these 
controls (stroke, Origin, Vertex, or End) can be selected at one time.

   Origin
   Vertex
   End
   Justify (formerly "Origin")
   Color
   Weight
   Rotation
   Angle
   Creating point symbols


Origin
------

Represents the origin (first vertex) of the element.



Vertex
------

Represents each internal vertex (non-endpoint) of the element.



End
---

Represents the end (last vertex) of the element.

The remaining controls affect the point symbol attachment to the selected 
base stroke pattern part (stroke, Origin, Vertex, or End). If no base 
stroke pattern item is selected, all of the point symbol attachment items 
are disabled.



Justify (formerly "Origin")
---------------------------

Controls the placement of the symbol origin relative to the selected 
stroke. Applies only to strokes and is disabled (dimmed) if a vertex type 
(Origin, Vertex, or End) is selected.



Color
-----

Affects the symbol display color.
*  Element -- The symbol will be displayed using the color of the base 
element.
*  Symbol -- The symbol will be displayed using the color(s) of the 
elements in the point symbol as originally created.
   


Weight
------

Affects the symbol line weight for display purposes.
*  Element -- The symbol will be displayed using the line weight of the 
base element.
*  Symbol -- The symbol will be displayed using the line weight(s) of the 
elements in the point symbol as originally created.
   


Rotation
--------

Affects the symbol rotation.
*  Relative -- The symbol rotation Angle is relative to the direction of 
the stroke. In other words, the stroke is the x- axis and the angle is the 
counter-clockwise rotation from the stroke. When displayed, the symbol 
rotates with the direction of the line. If the symbol is attached to the 
vertex of a line string, its rotation is based on the average of the angles 
of the previous and next segments (same as the joint lines of a 
multi-line).
*  Absolute -- The symbol rotation Angle is relative to the x-axis of the 
view the element was originally placed in. When displayed, the symbol 
rotation will appear "fixed" and will not be affected by the direction of 
the stroke.
*  Adjusted -- Similar to Relative but the symbol will automatically be 
"flipped" when necessary so that it always appears "right side up." This is 
most useful when using text in point symbols and follows the same text 
orientation used for dimensions.
   


Angle
-----

Sets the counter-clockwise rotation angle, in degrees, for the point symbol 
attached to the selected stroke. The exact effect of the angle depends on 
the Rotation.

Note:
X Offset and Y Offset are unchanged from previous versions.

Note:
When modifying the definition of a point symbol component, you can now 
double-click any part of the base stroke pattern to modify the base stroke 
pattern component.



Creating point symbols
----------------------

The LSTYLE LIBRARY key-in, which was used to designate the default line 
style library in which a newly created point symbol was stored, is changed 
to LINESTYLE LIBRARY.



Working with compound components
--------------------------------

When modifying the definition of a compound component in the Line Style 
Editor settings box (which opens when Line Style > Edit is chosen from the 
Element menu), you can now double-click a sub-component in the 
Sub-Components list box to modify the sub-component.



Settings groups
---------------

The MDL application, "setmgr.ma," can be used to define and activate groups 
of settings and to automatically select drawing tools. This feature is now 
complete and accessible by choosing Groups > Select or Groups > Edit from 
the Settings menu.



Associative patterning
----------------------

Problems with associative patterning are addressed.

   Angle
   Origin/offset


Angle
-----

In Beta versions, associative pattern and hatch angles did not work 
correctly in rotated views or in 3D. Now pattern and hatch angles are 
relative to the view in which the pattern was placed, as in non-associative 
patterning.

A possible drawback is that rotating an element that has an associative 
pattern will not rotate the pattern. In such cases, the pattern must be 
deleted and replaced, a fairly easy operation.



Origin/offset
-------------

In Beta versions, the pattern origin was always the first vertex or the 
center of an ellipse or circle. Now the pattern origin can be offset from 
the actual element origin, as in non-associative patterning.



Reference file user preference
------------------------------

There is new user preference, Save Settings to Save Changes, in the 
Reference Files category of the Preferences dialog box. If Save Settings to 
Save Changes is on, the results of reference file manipulations do not 
become permanent until Save Settings is chosen from the File menu. If Save 
Settings to Save Changes is off (the default), the results are immediately 
permanent -- that is, reference file attachment information is immediately 
rewritten -- as in previous versions.



Screen capture
--------------

Choosing Capture Screen from the User menu's Utilities sub-menu now opens a 
settings box with buttons for starting screen (and partial screen) capture 
operations.



Database interface enhancements
-------------------------------

The Oracle database interface for MicroStation PC (DOS) now supports 
SQL*Forms screen forms.

The RIS database interface now exists for MicroStation PC (DOS).

The Xbase database interface now exists for MicroStation on Windows NT.



MicroStation button modifiers (Intergraph workstations)
-------------------------------------------------------

You can now use the Repeat key on an Intergraph workstation keyboard as a 
logical <Alt> modifier key for MicroStation buttons. For example, if the 
button combination Alt-Button 2 is assigned as the Tentative button, you 
can enter a tentative point by holding down the Repeat key when you press 
Button 2 rather than having to use the Alt-Mode lock key.

Note:
When you press the Repeat key in conjunction with another keyboard key, it 
repeats the key, as you would expect.



Panning (Intergraph workstations)
---------------------------------

Either the left or the right Shift key on an Intergraph workstation 
keyboard can now be used to initiate panning (in conjunction with the Data 
button). Previously the right Shift key did not work.



Miscellaneous user interface enhancements
-----------------------------------------

*  The Construct Line at Active Angle tool is added to the Lines 
sub-palette.
*  The Use Fence tool setting is disabled (dimmed) if the fence is not 
placed.
*  Fence Mode is removed as a tool setting for the Fence Stretch tool 
because the tool disregards the setting.
*  File and Directory menus are added to additional standard file dialog 
boxes.
*  The Directory menu in standard file dialog boxes has a new item, Select 
Configuration Variable..., which opens a dialog box for switching to a 
directory based on a configuration variable definition.
*  The items in the User menu's Utilities sub-menu are now in alphabetical 
order.
*  The mnemonic access character for Key-in Browser in the Help menu is now 
<K> instead of <B>.


Summary of Version 4.9.10 Changes and Enhancements
--------------------------------------------------

The following sections summarize the differences between the third (and 
final) Beta version (4.9.10) and the second (4.9.6).

Note:
Because of the large number of software changes just before Version 4.9.10, 
some changes are not yet reflected in detailed help articles. In each such 
case, as much detail as possible is given in the summary section in lieu of 
a cross-reference.

   Snapping
   3D tools
   Custom line styles
   Settings groups
   New sample workspaces
   License registration
   License administration
   Design file access
   MicroStation Manager
   View rotation user interface
   Tag reporting
   Dimension units
   Dimension alignment
   Associative patterning
   Dimension-driven cell creation
   Dimension-driven cell usage
   RIB file export
   Visible edges design file creation
   Text element creation
   Window color scheme
   Reference file reloading
   Use Color Plane for Dynamics preference (Environ V only)
   Screen font selection
   Database interface enhancements
   3D/2D file conversion enhancements
   Backward compatibility
   Miscellaneous user interface enhancements


Snapping
--------

Geometric and location constraints can now be applied by means of snapping. 
For example, when constructing an element, you can snap a tentative point 
to an existing element at the point of tangency. Tool modifiers no longer 
exist, and the Modifiers menu is now the Snaps Menu.

To more easily draw planar elements in 3D, you can use the new Depth Lock, 
which is set in the Locks settings box. If on, Depth Lock projects 
tentative points along the view z-axis onto the plane of the Active Depth. 
Depth Lock is particularly useful for dimensioning.



3D tools
--------

The composition and organization of 3D tools and view controls is further 
refined. 

There is no longer a separate 3D B-splines palette.

See 3D Tools and View Controls.



Custom line styles
------------------

These element types can be placed with Custom line styles:

Type    Name

3       Line

4       Line string

6       Shape

11      Curve

15      Ellipse

16      Arc

27      B-Spline curve

36      Multi-line[a]

[a]Components of multi-lines can now be defined with custom line styles.
   
Complex elements can be composed of elements with custom line styles.

   Integrated line style user interface
   Element line style modification
   Symbol creation
   Drop Line Style tool


Integrated line style user interface
------------------------------------

Standard line styles and custom line styles are now integrated. The Element 
menu now has a single Line Style sub-menu for setting the Active Line 
Style, which can be either a custom line style or a standard line style. A 
custom line style can now also be set as the Active Line Style with the 
Element Attributes settings box.

When you open a line style library in the Line Style Editor settings box, 
nine "Internal" stroke pattern components are listed in the Components list 
box. The first eight are standard line styles; they are labeled "Line code 
0" through "Line code 7." The ninth is labeled "Default solid line." Of 
these, only "Default solid line" supports true width through line style 
modifiers in the same manner as custom line styles.

A new line style name is automatically linked upon creation to the "Default 
solid line" component.



Element line style modification
-------------------------------

You can now not only adjust the line style modifiers for existing elements 
but you can optionally do so dynamically.

>> To adjust line style modifiers for an existing element:

1. Adjust the modifier settings (Start Width, for example) in the Line 
Styles settings box.
2. In the Change Element sub-palette, select the Change Element Attributes 
tool.
3. Identify the element.
4. Accept the change.
   OR
1. With the MDL application "lstyle.ma" loaded, key in the appropriate 
MODIFY key-in.
   
Key in:            to change:

MODIFY SHIFT       Shift (distance only)

MODIFY SCALE       Scale factor (all)

MODIFY DASHSCALE   Scale of variable 
                   length dashes

MODIFY GAPSCALE    Scale of variable 
                   length gaps

MODIFY WIDTH       Width (both start and 
                   end)

MODIFY STARTWIDTH  Start width only

MODIFY ENDWIDTH    End width only


2. Identify the element.
3. Move the pointer to adjust the modifier (the results are displayed 
dynamically).
4. Enter a data point to set the modifier value.
   


Symbol creation
---------------

A newly created symbol is stored as follows
*  If the Line Style Editor settings box is open when the symbol is 
created, the symbol is stored in the line style library that is open for 
editing if any.
*  If the settings box is closed but was previously open during the session 
and a library was open for editing when the settings box was closed, the 
symbol is stored in that library.
*  Otherwise, you must use the LSTYLE LIBRARY <library> key-in to identify 
the open line style library in which new symbols are stored. If a library 
name is not specified with the LSTYLE LIBRARY key-in, a dialog box opens in 
which you can select a library.
   
When creating a symbol, you can now use the fence to identify the elements 
that will compose the symbol (or select the elements as before). If the 
fence is placed, the symbol will be composed of all of the elements 
completely enclosed by the fence (the Fence Selection Mode is disregarded).

You can now use the Define Cell Origin tool to define the symbol origin. If 
you do not use this tool when creating a symbol, you will be prompted to 
enter an origin point for the symbol as before.

If a symbol with the same name is already present in the destination line 
style library, an alert box containing that information is displayed, and 
you are given the option of overwriting the existing symbol or cancelling 
creation.

Note:
If a library is specified with the LSTYLE LIBRARY key-in, it is 
automatically opened in the Line Style Editor settings box the next time 
the settings box is opened (it will not be necessary to use the settings 
box's File menu).

Note:
The name of the destination library for newly created symbols is not saved 
between MicroStation sessions.



Drop Line Style tool
--------------------

You can now convert any element with a custom line style to an identically 
appearing group of primitive elements with standard line styles using the 
Drop Line Style tool in the Drop Element sub-palette. The tool works with 
elements selected with the Element Selection tool as well as with 
individually identified elements.

Dash strokes are converted to line or line string elements. Point symbols 
are converted to primitive elements (but not dropped to individual 
vectors).

>> To drop an element with a custom line style:

1. Select the element.
2. Select the Drop Line Style tool.
3. Accept the drop.
   OR
1. Select the Drop Line Style tool.
2. Identify the element.
3. Accept the drop.
   
Key-in: DROP LINESTYLE



Settings groups
---------------

The MDL application, "setmgr.ma," can be used to define and activate groups 
of settings and to automatically select drawing tools. This feature is not 
yet complete. Note that the terminology and user interface will be changed 
for the production version



New sample workspaces
---------------------

Several sample workspace components are provided for the first time.

This table shows the sample workspaces in this Beta version:

Workspace          Description

MDE (MicroStation  MDL application development 
Development        environment, similar to the 
Environment)       MDE product available for 
                   MicroStation Version 4 on the 
                   SPARC and HP700 platforms.

Modeling           For 3D modeling.

New User           Friendlier environment for 
                   learning MicroStation.

Review             Emulation of the MicroStation 
                   Review user interface for 
                   reviewing design files.

Version 4          Emulation of the Version 4.0 
                   user interface.

Architecture       For architectural 
                   applications.

Civil Engineering  For civil engineering 
                   applications.

Mapping            For mapping applications.

Mechanical DraftingFor mechanical drafting 
                   applications.

 

>> To switch between workspace user interfaces:

1. From the User menu's Workspace sub-menu, choose Switch User Interface.
   The Switch User Interface dialog box opens.
2. Select the desired user interface ("default" is "as delivered" 
MicroStation).
3. Click the OK button.
   
Change requests for the sample workspace components will continue to be 
considered (and are in fact encouraged) until early July 1993.

When testing a sample workspace user interface, consider whether the 
modifications are sensible for the discipline or intended class of user. 
Some tools and menu items are removed. In some cases, discipline-specific 
pull-down menus are added.

When examining sample workspace modules, consider whether the provided data 
-- cells, patterns, line styles, function key menus, seed files, etc. -- 
are useful for the discipline or intended class of user.

If you would like to see changes made to the sample workspace components, 
please submit change requests. Keep in mind, though, that these components 
are intended as samples. It is expected that they will be customized for 
production use; customization tools will be provided.

For more information about workspaces, see Workspace Components.



License registration
--------------------

The labeling of the buttons in the license registration dialog boxes has 
been improved.



License administration
----------------------

Site administrators can now centrally administer the license tokens created 
by the MicroStation license registration process. Optionally, license usage 
can be logged for analysis of usage patterns.



Design file access
------------------

There are menu items in the Command Window's File menu for as many as the 
last four opened design files. Choosing an item of this type is a fast way 
to open a design file.



MicroStation Manager
--------------------

A completely rewritten version of the MicroStation Manager file manager 
makes its debut with this Beta version. The MicroStation Manager dialog box 
opens when MicroStation is started without a design file specification or 
when Close is chosen from the Command Window's File menu.

The MicroStation Manager dialog box is primarily used to open a design 
file. It can be operated in the same manner as the Open Design File dialog 
box, which opens when Open... is chosen from the Command Window's File 
menu.

   File menu/New...
   File menu/Copy...
   File menu/Rename...
   File menu/Delete...
   File menu/<filename>
   File menu/Exit
   Directory menu/New...
   Directory menu/Copy...
   Directory menu/Current Work Directory
   Directory menu/<path>


File menu/New...
----------------

Opens the Create Design File dialog box, which is used to create a design 
file (the effect is the same as choosing New... from the Command Window's 
File menu). Upon creation, the design file is automatically selected in the 
MicroStation Manager dialog box.



File menu/Copy...
-----------------

Opens the Copy File dialog box, which is used to make a copy of a file.



File menu/Rename...
-------------------

Opens the Rename File dialog box, which is used to change the name of a 
file.



File menu/Delete...
-------------------

Opens an alert box for confirming the request to delete the file selected 
in the Files list box. If the request is confirmed, the file is deleted.



File menu/
----------

<filename>:Opens the specified design file (and closes the dialog box). 
There are menu items for as many as the last four opened design files.



File menu/Exit
--------------

Closes the dialog box, thereby ending the MicroStation session (the effect 
is the same as clicking the Cancel button).



Directory menu/New...
---------------------

Opens the Make Directory dialog box, which is used to create a directory.



Directory menu/Copy...
----------------------

Opens the Copy Directory dialog box, which is used to copy the current 
Directory based on the Filter.



Directory menu/Current Work Directory
-------------------------------------

Changes the directory whose files are listed in the Files list box to the 
current directory.



Directory menu/
---------------

<path>:Changes the directory whose files are listed in the Files list box 
to the specified path. There are menu items for as many as the last four 
directories from which design files were opened.

Note:
Abbreviated versions of the File and Directory menus are now in the Open 
Design File dialog box.



View rotation user interface
----------------------------

Rotation in the View menu is now a sub-menu. The By Element and By Points 
items could formerly be activated only with key-ins.

To:                      Choose from the View 
                         menu:

Control view rotation witRotation > Settings
View Rotation settings box.

Rotate a view(s) to alignRotation > By Element
with a planar element.

Rotate a view(s) by enterRotation > By Points
data points.

Rotate a view(s) to Top  Rotation > Top
orientation.

Rotate a view(s) to BottoRotation > Bottom
orientation.

Rotate a view(s) to Left Rotation > Left
orientation.

Rotate a view(s) to RightRotation > Right
orientation.

Rotate a view(s) to FrontRotation > Front
orientation.

Rotate a view(s) to Back Rotation > Back
orientation.

Rotate a view(s) to IsomeRotation > Isometric
orientation.





Tag reporting
-------------

You can now request reporting on all elements or just elements with tags by 
choosing the corresponding item from the new Report On menu in the Generate 
Templates settings box.

You can now also use the fence to identify elements on which to report.

Note:
For more information about tag reporting, see Reporting on Tags.



Dimension units
---------------

The Dimension Text Format settings box is renamed "Dimension Units" and 
enhanced to allow more options for secondary dimension units and to 
simplify dual dimensioning setup.

If Format is set to AEC, MicroStation assumes master units are either 
Meters (when Primary Units are Metric) or Feet (when Primary Units are 
English).

If Format is set to Mechanical, MicroStation assumes master units are 
either Millimeters (when Primary Units are Metric) or Inches (when Primary 
Units are English).

The options for secondary units are the same for both AEC and Mechanical 
Format: Inches or Feet for English Secondary Units and Millimeters, 
Centimeters, or Meters for Metric Secondary Units.



Dimension alignment
-------------------

There are three new key-ins that can be used to place linear dimensions. 
These key-ins let you define the y-axis of the dimension with data points 
(rather than the x-axis as with linear dimensioning tools). The key-ins 
ignore the dimension Alignment setting and generate the x-axis of the 
dimension perpendicular to the y-axis.

   DIMENSION SIZE PERPENDICULAR POINTS key-in
   DIMENSION SIZE PERPENDICULAR ELEMENT key-in
   DIMENSION SIZE PERPENDICULAR BASE key-in


DIMENSION SIZE PERPENDICULAR POINTS key-in
------------------------------------------

Operation is identical to the Dimension Size with Arrows tool except the 
first two data points define the dimension y-axis, and the dimension 
Alignment setting is ignored.



DIMENSION SIZE PERPENDICULAR ELEMENT key-in
-------------------------------------------

Operation is similar to DIMENSION SIZE PERPERPENDICULAR POINTS except the 
first data point must be on a linear element. The dimension y-axis is 
defined by the identified segment. The second data point is used only to 
define the extension line length.



DIMENSION SIZE PERPENDICULAR BASE key-in
----------------------------------------

Operation is similar to the other DIMENSION SIZE PERPENDICULAR key-ins 
except the second data point is not needed and there is not an extension 
line at the first point. The first data point must be on a linear element. 
The dimension y-axis is defined by the identified segment, and the 
dimension line (terminator) is located at the data point location. The 
second data point defines the base of the next extension line.

Note:
DIMENSION SIZE PERPENDICULAR BASE is a new option of the Dimension Element 
tool.



Associative patterning
----------------------

You can now convert any associative pattern (or hatch) (that was placed 
with a tool in the Patterning palette) into an identically appearing group 
of primitive elements using the Drop Associative Pattern tool in the Drop 
sub-palette. Upon conversion, the associative pattern attribute linkage is 
removed from the original patterned element.

>> To drop an associative pattern (or hatch):

1. Select the patterned element.
2. Select the Drop Associative Pattern tool.
3. Accept the drop.
   OR
1. Select the Drop Associative Pattern tool.
2. Identify the patterned element.
3. Accept the drop.
   
Key-in: DROP PATTERN



Dimension-driven cell creation
------------------------------

There are three new dimension-driven cell construction tools and several 
additional enhancements.

   Construct Attached Ellipse or Circle tool
   Attach Pen Element to Point tool
   Equate Parameters or Constructions tool
   Other changes and enhancements


Construct Attached Ellipse or Circle tool
-----------------------------------------

Used to create and attach a circle to a construction circle (or an ellipse 
to a construction ellipse).

>> To construct an attached ellipse or circle:

1. In the Attach Element sub-palette, select the Construct Attached Ellipse 
or Circle tool.
2. Identify the target construction.
3. Accept the attachment.
   
Key-in: MDL LOAD DDDESIGN ATTACH CIRCLE



Attach Pen Element to Point tool
--------------------------------

Used to cause an element (of any type) to track a point, ellipse, or 
constraint, leaving a "trail" behind it.

Whenever the model is re-solved, the "pen element" is moved to the target 
point's location without first being erased from its old location. A 
history of images accumulates in the view. A pen attachment is useful for 
"range of motion" and interference studies.

>> To attach a pen element to a point, ellipse, or constraint:

1. In the Attach Element sub-palette, select the Attach Pen Element to 
Point tool.
2. Identify the element that is to become the "pen."
3. Identify the element to which to attach the pen.
   
>> To erase a trail of "pen ink" images:

1. Update the view.
   
Key-in: MDL LOAD DDDESIGN ATTACH PEN



Equate Parameters or Constructions tool
---------------------------------------

Used to cause the geometry of two variables or constructions to be equal. 
The two must be of the same type -- for example, both variables, both 
lines, both circles, etc. Variable identifiers do not need to be distinct 
(such as an algebraic equation would require).

This constraint is useful for "sewing" model fragments together.

>> To cause the geometry of two variables or constructions to be equal:

1. In the Constraint sub-palette, select the Equate Parameters or 
Constructions tool.
2. Identify one of the variables or constructions.
3. Identify the variable or construction to which the one previously 
identified is to be equated.
4. Accept the constraint.
   
Key-in: MDL LOAD DDDESIGN CONSTRAIN MATCH



Other changes and enhancements
------------------------------

B-splines can now be the targets of point-on, point-at-intersection, 
tangent, and point-curve distance constraints. The B-spline's geometry is 
held constant.

You can now make two constructions tangent at more than just one point, if 
their geometry makes that possible. For example, a circle can be tangent to 
an ellipse at two points. Any construction can be tangent to a B-spline at, 
possibly, many points. Each tangency is created as a separate constraint.

More dimensional constraints are supported. The new ones are as follows:
*  Point-to-curve minimum distance -- constrains the distance from a point 
(or circle center) to a line, B-spline, or the edge of a circle or ellipse 
along the construction's "normal" vector.
*  Diameter -- constrains the diameter (rather than the radius) of a circle 
or ellipse.
   
The line-line distance dimensional constraint no longer encompasses the 
dimension alignment; its alignment is forced to True.

When identifying targets for tangent, point-on, and point-at-intersection 
constraints, the acceptance point determines which solution is selected if 
there are two or approximately where the solution will be if there is a 
range of possibilities.

When the Describe Selected Construction or Constraint tool is used, the 
target constraints of an identified constraint are highlighted.

Note:
The sample design file, "constrn.dgn," illustrates several types of 
constraints.

Note:
For more information about dimension-driven cell construction, see 
Dimension-driven Design.



Dimension-driven cell usage
---------------------------

There are two new dimension-driven cell placement and modification key-ins 
and several additional enhancements.

   SET_CELL_DIMENSION key-in
   RESET_DIMENSION key-in
   Other changes and enhancements


SET_CELL_DIMENSION key-in
-------------------------

Used to place a derived cell -- a cell that is derived from a 
dimension-driven cell -- without using the Place Dimension-Driven Cell 
dialog box. The dimensions to be set and the values to be assigned to them 
are specified as part of the key-in syntax.

>> To place a dimension-driven cell without using the Place 
Dimension-Driven Cell dialog box:

1. If the MDL application, "ddcell.ma," is not already loaded, key in MDL 
LOAD DDCELL.
2. Key in SET_CELL_DIMENSION <parameter>[=]<value> 
[<parameter>[=]<value>...].
   Parameter is the name of some constant in the model (or possibly the 
internal name of some dimension), and value is a numeric constant. Each 
assignment expression must be preceded by a space or punctuation. The 
syntax permits comments enclosed in brackets ("[ ]").
   Upon entry of the key-in with a valid syntax, the dimension-driven cell 
is solved and placed.
   


RESET_DIMENSION key-in
----------------------

Used to modify the dimensions and constants of a dimension-driven cell or a 
derived cell without using the Modify Dimensions dialog box. The dimensions 
to be reset and the values to be assigned to them are specified as part of 
the key-in syntax.

>> To modify a dimension-driven cell without using the Modify Dimensions 
dialog box:

1. If the MDL application, "ddcell.ma," is not already loaded, key in MDL 
LOAD DDCELL.
2. Key in RESET_DIMENSION <parameter>[=]<value> [<parameter>[=]<value>...].
   Parameter is the name of some constant in the model (or possibly the 
internal name of some dimension), and value is a numeric constant. Each 
assignment expression must be preceded by a space or punctuation. The 
syntax permits comments enclosed in brackets ("[ ]").
   Upon entry of the key-in with a valid syntax, the dimension-driven cell 
is modified.
   


Other changes and enhancements
------------------------------

You can now use the Place Dimension-Driven Cell dialog box to place any 
cell -- including cells that are not dimension-driven (do not contain 
dimensions or constraints). Clicking the Place button when the active cell 
is not dimension-driven has the same effect as selecting the Place Active 
Cell tool.

Under-constrained variables are now denoted with the "~" character in the 
Place Dimension-Driven Cell and Modify Dimensions dialog boxes. When you 
change the value of an under-constrained variable, the model will use the 
keyed in value (if it is feasible) when solving. Thus, if there is more 
than one under-constrained variable in the list, you can change one to 
compute the other; then, change the second to re-compute the first.

Note:
For more information about dimension-driven cell placement and 
modification, see Dimension-driven Design.



RIB file export
---------------

The capability to save the contents of a view in a RenderMan Interface 
Bytestream (RIB) file for rendering with a RenderMan-compatible package 
returns for Version 5.0 with this Beta version. As in Version 4, choosing 
Export > RIB from the File menu starts the process.



Visible edges design file creation
----------------------------------

The capability to save a view's visible edges in a design file returns in 
enhanced form for Version 5.0 with this Beta version. As in Version 4, 
choosing Export > Visible Edges from the File menu starts the process.



Text element creation
---------------------

The Glossary settings box, which opens when Glossary is chosen from the 
User menu's Utilities sub-menu, is used to build and place commonly used 
text strings and combinations of text strings.

Commonly used text strings are stored in a glossary file which must be 
created with a text editor or word processor. The glossary file is a text 
file with a text string alias on one line and the associated text string on 
the next line, and so on for additional text strings. (A glossary file can 
likewise be modified only with a text editor or word processor.)

The contents of the glossary file pointed to by the MS_GLOSSARY 
configuration variable are displayed in the Glossary settings box. By 
default this file is "example.gls" in MicroStation's "wsmod/default/data" 
directory.

Note:
The Glossary settings box is the MDL application, "glossary.ma," which 
loads when Glossary is chosen from the User menu's Utilities sub-menu.

   Aliases (list box)
   Associated Text String (field)
   Place Text (field)
   Build
   Options menu/Line Length > Custom...
   Options menu/Line Length > 30
   Options menu/Line Length > 40
   Options menu/Line Length > 50
   Options menu/Line Length > 60
   Options menu/Case > 


Aliases (list box)
------------------

Lists text string aliases in the glossary file.



Associated Text String (field)
------------------------------

Shows the text string associated with the alias selected in the Aliases 
list box.



Place Text (field)
------------------

Shows the text string that can be placed in the design.



Build
-----

Appends the selected text string to the string in the Place Text field and 
makes it possible to place the resulting string by entering a data point in 
a view.



Options menu/Line Length > Custom...
------------------------------------

Opens the Custom Line Length dialog box, which is used to set the text line 
length.

   Line Length


Line Length
-----------

Sets the text line length, expressed as the number of characters. The valid 
range is TBD.



Options menu/Line Length > 30
-----------------------------

Sets the text line length to 30 characters.



Options menu/Line Length > 40
-----------------------------

Sets the text line length to 40 characters.



Options menu/Line Length > 50
-----------------------------

Sets the text line length to 50 characters.



Options menu/Line Length > 60
-----------------------------

Sets the text line length to 60 characters.



Options menu/Case > 
--------------------

Controls the case of the built string for placement (UPPER, lower, or 
Default as built).



Window color scheme
-------------------

There is now a dialog box for customizing the window color scheme.

>> To open the Color Control dialog box:

1. From the User menu, choose Preferences.
   The Preferences dialog box opens.
2. In the Category list box, select GUI Options.
3. Click the Dialog Colors button.
   


Reference file reloading
------------------------

By default MicroStation now attempts to preserve cached reference files 
when one design file is closed and another is opened. If the Max(imum) 
Element Cache preference is set large enough to hold all the files (and 
there is enough physical memory to accommodate the cache), the new behavior 
dramatically speeds up the opening of design files that are referenced to 
each other.

To disable the new behavior, turn on the new Reload When Changing Files 
user preference (Reference File category).



Use Color Plane for Dynamics preference (Environ V only)
--------------------------------------------------------

In most situations, MicroStation draws its dynamics by using "exclusive 
or." This method effectively inverts the existing color on the screen to 
the color you want to draw in. That works fine most of the time, but  when 
you have two lines of the same color that overlap each other in dynamics, 
the display inverts a second time back to the original color. This happens 
in 3D when you have a slab in an orthogonal view. The effect is to make 
dynamics close to invisible.

On some Intergraph workstations, there is an extra color "plane" in which 
to draw dynamics. The color of the extra plane can be set to a single 
color, and the plane can therefore be drawn in without affecting any of the 
colors currently on the screen. This prevents the color cancellation effect 
described above. This type of dynamics is called "plane dynamics."

Under Environ V, it is possible to manipulate the way colors are used to 
simulate plane dynamics on workstations with 256 colors.

MicroStation has a new user preference, Use Color Plane for Dynamics, which 
is off by default (use exclusive or dynamics). Turning it on causes 
simulation of plane dynamics. The advantages and disadvantages of doing so 
are as follows:
*  With plane dynamics, you can see the element weight and line style, 
whereas under Environ V this is not possible with exclusive or dynamics.
*  The color cancellation effect is prevented. (This is the primary 
advantage.)
*  Using a dynamics plane cuts the number of colors available to 
MicroStation from 256 to 128.
*  Using a dynamics plane causes all the elements in a complex element or 
selection set to be drawn in the same color (the color of the first element 
encountered).
   


Screen font selection
---------------------

Dialog box text can now be displayed as large as 24 points. This can be set 
as a user preference in the Dialog Font category of the Preferences dialog 
box.



Database interface enhancements
-------------------------------

The Oracle Database Interface is included with this Beta version for 
MicroStation PC. However, SQL*Forms is not yet supported.

Three versions of the Xbase Database Interface and the datadict utility are 
included with this Beta version, one compatible with each of the following 
index file formats: dBASE IV (.mdx), dBASE III+ (.ndx), and FoxBase 
(.cdx/.idx).

The RIS Database Interface for the Windows NT version of MicroStation is 
included with this Beta version. This version requires that RIS be 
installed on the same system as MicroStation.



3D/2D file conversion enhancements
----------------------------------

When a 3D file is translated to 2D (File menu/Export > 2D...), cones and 
cylinders are now converted, and degenerate arcs are now converted to 
lines. These enhancements are of particular interest to piping designers.



Backward compatibility
----------------------

The FREEZE, FENCE FREEZE, THAW, and FENCE THAW key-ins now support element 
tags to preserve backward compatibility.



Miscellaneous user interface enhancements
-----------------------------------------

Version 4.9.10 has the following miscellaneous user interface enhancements
*  The Save Image dialog box (File menu/Save Image As...) now has radio 
buttons for determining the shading method.
*  The Selector settings box (Edit menu/Select By) is renamed the Select By 
settings box.
*  The Replace Text settings box (Edit menu/Replace Text) is reorganized.
*  The Multi-lines settings box (Element menu/Multi-lines) is reorganized 
(and also contains controls for defining multi-line components with custom 
line styles). The settings box is now the MDL application, "mlineset.ma," 
which opens when Multi-lines is chosen from the Element menu.
*  The Line Styles settings box (Element menu/Line Style > Custom) is 
expandable. In its default smaller size, the settings box contains only a 
list of line styles and a check button, which is off by default, for 
displaying detail.
*  The list boxes in the Line Style Editor settings box (Element menu/Line 
Style > Edit) are now labeled Styles and Components as documented. The 
shorthand for "Point Symbol" in the settings box is changed from "Symbol" 
to "Point."
*  The Fonts item is removed from the Settings menu. The Fonts settings box 
now opens when the View button is clicked in the Text settings box (Element 
menu/Text). The Text settings box now also has an option menu, Font, for 
setting the Active Font (in addition to the previously existing key-in 
field).
*  The Color Table settings box is reorganized and now opens from the 
Settings menu's new Colors sub-menu (Settings menu/Colors > Color 
Table...). There is now a child dialog box for interpolating colors.
*  The new Element Highlight Cursor settings box can be used to set the 
highlight color (SET HILITE). To open the settings box, choose Element 
Highlight Cursor from the Settings menu's Colors sub-menu.
*  The new Vector Cursor Color settings box can be used to set the color of 
the dynamics pointer. To open the settings box, choose Vector Cursor Color 
from the Settings menu's Colors sub-menu.
*  The Styles list boxes are removed from the Define Tag, Tag Value, and 
Review Tags dialog boxes.
*  The following tools are restored to palettes: Construct Angle Bisector 
and Construct Minimum Distance Line (Lines sub-palette); Place Half Ellipse 
and Place Quarter Ellipse (Arcs Sub-palette); and Place Stream Curve 
(Curves sub-palette).
*  A new tool setting, Space, is added for point curve placement with the 
Place Curve tool. Turning Space on is equivalent to selecting the Version 4 
Place Space Curve tool.
*  The Fence Stretch tool is now in the Modify Element sub-palette.
*  ACS Plane (Lock) and ACS Plane (Snap) are added as tool settings for the 
Define ACS tools in the ACS palette.
*  The tool settings for the Dimension Element tool now include a Next 
button for cycling through the various options.
*  The new Display Levels user preference (Operation category in the 
Preferences dialog box) is used to control whether level names or numbers 
are displayed in the Command Window's Message field ("LV=").
*  The Review Raster Files item is removed from the User menu's Utilities 
sub-menu.
*  The Help Menu is changed. There is a new item, Product Support, which is 
not yet implemented. The On Context item is removed. The names of other 
items are changed.


Summary of Version 4.9.6 Changes and Enhancements
-------------------------------------------------

The following sections summarize the differences between the second Beta 
version (4.9.6) and the first (4.9.4).

   License registration
   Custom line styles
   Workspaces
   Tool modifiers
   Dimensional constraints
   Pop-up menus
   Dynamic indexing and alignments
   Create Complex Shape tool
   Boolean operations
   Reorganized 3D tools
   Expanded on-line help
   Reorganized Dimension Attributes settings box
   Dimension-driven cell creation
   Dimension-driven cell usage
   New function key modifiers
   Text enhancements
   Element tags
   Database interface enhancements
   Miscellaneous user interface enhancements


License registration
--------------------

MicroStation PC Version 5.0 will not require (nor be supplied with) a 
hardware lock. Beginning with this Beta version, a new license registration 
scheme is implemented. Upon starting this version for the first time, you 
will be prompted to complete a series of registration dialog boxes. As part 
of the procedure, you will need to key in the serial number on the enclosed 
Beta License Registration Form.

Note:
Do not discard your hardware lock. You will need the hardware lock supplied 
with Version 4 (or earlier) as long as you intend to continue to use that 
version.

Note:
With the 5.0 production version (and hopefully the next Beta version), 
license administration software will be included that will let system 
managers administer multiple MicroStation licenses over a network from a 
single node. This software will be intended to work on any network with 
homogeneous or heterogeneous (mixed platform) nodes.



Custom line styles
------------------

The user interface for defining and modifying custom line styles is greatly 
simplified. The five principal settings boxes in Version 4.9.4 are now 
consolidated into a single settings box, and the relationship between line 
style names and components is clearer. The user interface for defining 
custom line styles is now completely separate from that for selecting 
(activating) custom line styles. See Line Style Libraries.



Workspaces
----------

A workspace is a custom environment that adapts MicroStation for a specific 
discipline, project or task.

Discipline-specific and task-oriented workspaces will be provided with 
MicroStation Version 5.0. The new MicroStation directory structure supports 
the modular aspect of workspaces in which workspaces can be selectively 
used, installed, and removed. The directory structure also groups data so 
that, for example, an architect will only find architectural data by 
default.

On the command line to start MicroStation, you can specify a workspace. 
Also, you can easily switch between workspaces from within MicroStation.

This table shows the sample workspaces in this Beta version:

Workspace          Description

MDE (MicroStation  MDL application development 
Development        environment, similar to the 
Environment)       MDE product available for 
                   MicroStation Version 4 on the 
                   SPARC and HP700 platforms.

New User           Friendlier environment for 
                   learning MicroStation.

Review             Emulation of the MicroStation 
                   Review user interface for 
                   reviewing design files.

Version 4          Emulation of the Version 4.0 
                   user interface.

 

For more information, see Workspace Components.



Tool modifiers
--------------

The Constraints menu in Version 4.9.4 was renamed "Modifiers" in Version 
4.9.6 (and "Snaps" in Version 4.9.10). For information, see Snapping.



Dimensional constraints
-----------------------

The following tools have tool settings that let you fix (constrain) 
dimensional attributes of the element being placed or modified. Like other 
tool settings, they are set in a tool's pop-down or the Tool Settings 
window.
*  Place Line tool
*  Place Multi-line tool
*  Place Line String tool
*  Place Shape tool
*  Place Circle by Center tool
*  Place Circle by Edge tool
*  Place Ellipse by Center and Edge tool
*  Place Ellipse by Edge Points tool
*  Place Arc by Edge tool
*  Place Arc by Center tool
   
For each element type, the following dimensional attributes can be fixed:
*  Line -- length, angle.
*  Line String -- segment length, segment angle.
*  Multi-line -- segment length, segment angle.
*  Shape -- segment length, segment angle.
*  Arc -- radius, sweep angle.
*  Circle -- radius.
*  Ellipse -- primary axis radius, secondary axis radius, rotation.
   
Note:
It is no longer possible to save constraints applied using tool modifiers 
or fixed dimensional attributes for use with dimension-driven design tools. 
The Constraints settings box no longer exists. Dimension-driven design 
tools can still be used, though, to create Dimension-driven cells.



Pop-up menus
------------

To make it easier to select view controls and to set snap overrides, a 
Pop-up menu can now be activated when the screen pointer is in a view.



Dynamic indexing and alignments
-------------------------------

Some tools now support "smart pointer"-type enhancements to dynamic update 
known as Dynamic Alignment.

In this Beta version, the following tools support dynamic indexing and 
alignments through the Indexing tool setting:
*  Place Line
*  Place Multi-line
*  Place Line String
*  Place Shape


Create Complex Shape tool
-------------------------

The Create Complex Shape tool now supports Boolean operations and flood 
fill.



Boolean operations
------------------

You can now identify more than just two elements for Boolean operations 
with the Create Complex Shape, Measure Area, Hatch Area, Crosshatch Area, 
and Pattern Area tools.



Reorganized 3D tools
--------------------

3D tools and view controls are reorganized and consolidated similarly to 2D 
tools. See Consolidated Palettes.



Expanded on-line help
---------------------

The content of on-line help in this Beta version is a preliminary, 
incomplete version of the help that will be provided in the 5.0 production 
version. Notable is the inclusion of information especially for users 
making the transition from AutoCAD to MicroStation; see AutoCAD Transition.

Choosing Contents from the Help menu (rather than choosing Topics, as in 
Version 4.9.4) opens the Help window with the table of contents displayed. 
Choosing How to Use Help from the Help menu (rather than On Help, as in 
Version 4.9.4) opens the Help window with instructions for using on-line 
help displayed. See Using On-line Help.

Note:
As the on-line help in Version 5.0 will include all material from the 
printed manuals except lessons, this Beta version's help can also be 
regarded as a preview of the content of the printed manuals. Please report 
errors in the help content as well as software problems.



Reorganized Dimension Attributes settings box
---------------------------------------------

The Dimension Attributes settings box (opened from the Element menu's 
Dimensions sub-menu) now consists of four main sections rather than three. 
It has also been reorganized slightly to present settings in a more logical 
order.

The major changes are as follows:
*  What used to be called "Alternate" symbology is now "Extension line" 
symbology. (Witness lines are now referred to as extension lines.)
*  The additional section is labeled "Terminators." It has controls for 
overriding the color, numbered line style, and line weight of dimension 
terminators.
   
For preliminary reference documentation, see Element menu/Dimensions > 
Attributes.



Dimension-driven cell creation
------------------------------

B-splines can now be used as constructions in addition to points, lines, 
circles, and ellipses. Also, more types of dimensions can be converted to 
constraints than in Version 4.9.4. See Dimension-driven Design (Concepts 
and Terminology).

Note:
The Dimension-Driven Design palette can no longer be opened from the 
Palettes menu. However, the palette still opens automatically when the MDL 
application "dddesign.ma" is loaded. To load "dddesign.ma," select it in 
the MDL settings box, and click the Load button, or key in MDL LOAD 
DDDESIGN.



Dimension-driven cell usage
---------------------------

The procedures for placing and modifying dimension-driven cells are 
simplified, and the supporting dialog boxes are more intuitive to operate. 
See Dimension-driven cells.



New function key modifiers
--------------------------

On the PC, you can now use the <Ctrl> and <Alt> keys to modify Function 
Keys, in addition to <Shift>.



Text enhancements
-----------------

You can now place slanted or underlined text, specify inter-character 
spacing, and place text vertically. See Element menu/Text.

There are also new user preferences to control the manner in which fitted 
text is fitted and to edit text in the Command Window. See Text user 
preferences.



Element tags
------------

Non-graphical element attributes stored in the design file are now referred 
to as element tags. Controls in the user interface are relabeled 
accordingly. The MDL application that lets you work with tags is "tags.ma" 
(formerly "adm.ma").

The following new features related to tags are in this Beta version:
*  Report templates
*  Specialized tool for tag review
*  Tag values as element selection criteria
   
See Attaching Non-graphical Element Tags.



Database interface enhancements
-------------------------------

The RIS database interface now recognizes the nextocc mscatalog column, 
with which users of pre-5.0 versions of the RIS database interface may be 
familiar. (The RIS database interface is not in this Beta version but will 
be available in Version 5.0.)

There is a new user preference, Block Database Undeletes, that controls 
whether it is possible to undo deletion of elements that have database 
linkages.



Miscellaneous user interface enhancements
-----------------------------------------

Version 4.9.6 has the following miscellaneous user interface enhancements
*  To make it easier to set the Fence Selection mode, that setting is now a 
tool setting for the fence placement tools in the Fence sub-palette.
*  To make it easier to open and close views, a new settings box with 
controls for all eight views now exists. The View Open/Close settings box 
is opened by choosing Open/Close > Dialog from the View menu.
*  Controls for setting active element Attributes that are specific to 
closed elements are now tool settings for the relevant tools. The controls 
are no longer in the Element Attributes settings box, making this 
frequently used settings box smaller.
*  The individual tools in Version 4 for changing the attributes of 
existing elements and in the MDL application "match.ma" for matching the 
active attribute settings to the attributes of an element are each 
consolidated into a single tool in the Change Element sub-palette.
*  The order of items on the Element Menu is now more sensible.
*  To make the Tool Settings window easier to open, the positions of the 
Tool Settings and Precision Input items are swapped in the Settings Menu. 
Tool Settings is now the first item in the menu.
*  Rendering-related view attributes are now set in a separate settings 
box, which is opened by choosing Rendering > View Attributes from the 
Settings menu. These view attributes are no longer set in the View 
Attributes settings box.
*  To make it easier to close a multi-line, shape, or fence (shape) as it 
is drawn, a button labeled Close Element (or Close Fence) is now with the 
tool settings controls for Place Multi-line, Place Shape, and Place Fence 
Shape. Clicking the Close button automatically closes the element or fence 
shape. (In Version 4, you had to key in CLOSE ELEMENT to obtain this 
result.)
*  The reference file Display, Snap, and Locate check buttons are moved 
from the Reference Files settings box to a new dialog box that is opened 
from the Settings menu in the Reference Files settings box. See File 
menu/Reference.
*  To make it less likely that the Delete Fence Contents tool will be 
accidentally selected, it is now on the Fence sub-palette. The Delete 
Element sub-palette in Version 4.9.4 no longer exists; the Delete Element 
tool in the lower right corner of the Main palette does not have an 
associated sub-palette (as in Version 4).
*  A graphical user interface has been added for CHANGE MLINE: the Change 
Multi-line to Active Definition tool in the Change Element sub-palette.
   


Summary of Version 4.9.4 Changes and Enhancements
-------------------------------------------------

The following sections summarize the differences between the first Beta 
version (4.9.4) and production Version 4.

Note:
As the majority of new Version 5 features were implemented in the first 
Beta version, these sections are of a more general nature than those under 
Summary of Version 4.9.11 Changes and Enhancements, Summary of Version 
4.9.10 Changes and Enhancements, and Summary of Version 4.9.6 Changes and 
Enhancements.

   Consolidated tool palettes
   Custom line styles
   Constraint-based element placement tools
   Dimension-driven design tools
   Trim Element and Place Composite Curve tools
   Section tools
   Surface modeling tools
   Rendering enhancements
   PostScript Type 1, TrueType, and .SHX font support
   DWG, DXF, IGES, and CGM file conversion
   Charting and graphing
   Raster file viewing and plotting
   Xbase and RIS database interfaces
   Design file-resident non-graphical database
   On-line help
   EdG
   PC display driver enhancements
   Configuration variables
   MicroStation button assignment
   Sticky menus
   Keyboard navigation
   Keyboard menu accelerators
   Filled element color
   Multiple cell library usage
   Rendered cell preview
   Fast Cells view attribute
   True plot preview
   Undoable viewing operations
   Clipboard operations on elements
   Element selection criteria
   Text search and replace
   Exact color selection
   New Preferences dialog box
   Reference file caching preference
   Tool Settings window access
   Utilities sub-menu
   Offset multi-line placement
   Optional scaling and mirroring of multi-line offsets
   Boolean operations
   Associative patterning
   Flood fill
   Length and volume measurement
   Mass properties analysis
   Changes to traditional MicroStation font attributes


Consolidated tool palettes
--------------------------

The number of tools is reduced to make it easier to find the one you need. 
Many new tools combine the functionality of multiple Version 4 tools. See 
Consolidated Palettes.



Custom line styles
------------------

You can now place elements with custom, named line styles, that feature 
specifiable colors, offsets, end caps, true width, and more. Several custom 
line styles are supplied with MicroStation. For information about using 
line styles, see Line Style. For information about creating custom line 
styles, see Line Style Libraries.

   Comparing line styles with linear patterns


Comparing line styles with linear patterns
------------------------------------------

Some of the appearance characteristics of a custom line style can be 
duplicated using linear patterning tools, but a custom line style has 
significant advantages
*  Because line style is an element attribute, it updates automatically 
when an element is modified. If a linear patterned element is modified, the 
original pattern elements must be removed and the patterning operation 
repeated.
*  Since the custom line style definition is stored externally and not 
duplicated throughout the design file, as it is with linear patterning, 
custom line styles are much more efficient. Any modification of a custom 
line style definition is automatically reflected by all elements that 
reference it. Custom line styles can be completely replaced simply by 
changing symbology line style libraries.
*  A custom line style definition has more sophisticated components than a 
linear pattern and is hence more flexible and powerful.
   
In summary, linear patterning is effectively obsolete but is retained for 
compatibility with previous versions.



Constraint-based element placement tools
----------------------------------------

You can now apply dimensional, location, and geometric constraints when 
using many element placement tools. This feature evolved in subsequent Beta 
versions; see Snapping and Tool modifiers.



Dimension-driven design tools
-----------------------------

You can now design a cell in terms of constraints and constructions and 
automatically preserve the relationships between component elements as you 
build and modify the cell. See Dimension-driven Design.



Trim Element and Place Composite Curve tools
--------------------------------------------

The Trim Element tool is used to trim an element(s). The Place Composite 
Curve tool is used to place a composite curve.



Section tools
-------------

Section tools let you easily generate sections that show interior detail 
that is too complex to see clearly in an ordinary wireframe view. See User 
menu/Utilities > Generate Section.



Surface modeling tools
----------------------

This version has a number of new surface modeling tools, as well as 
enhancements to existing ones. See 3D Tools and View Controls.



Rendering enhancements
----------------------

The overall quality of rendered images is greatly improved. New features 
include pattern mapping, transparency, bump mapping, shadows, 
anti-aliasing, and delayed display. See Rendering and Visualizing 3D 
Models.



PostScript Type 1, TrueType, and .SHX font support
--------------------------------------------------

You can now place text using fonts in the industry-standard PostScript Type 
1 and TrueType formats (also AutoCAD .SHX format). The traditional 
MicroStation font format is still supported. Fonts are now stored in Font 
Symbology Resource Files.



DWG, DXF, IGES, and CGM file conversion
---------------------------------------

AutoCAD binary drawing ("DWG") files can be opened or saved directly, with 
no intermediate translation required. DXF files are converted exactly the 
same way as DWG files. The same settings are used for both conversions and 
there no longer is a separate DXF translator.

IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) is a public domain format 
for the exchange of data between different CAD/CAM systems. The former 
MicroStation IGES option is now included in MicroStation at no extra cost.

You can now import and export CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile) files.

The procedure for all types of file exchange is about the same, with some 
differences that depend on the format, the type of data being translated, 
and the sending or receiving application.

See Exchanging Data With Other Applications for more information about file 
conversion.



Charting and graphing
---------------------

You can now create a variety of charts and graphs in MicroStation. See 
Charting.



Raster file viewing and plotting
--------------------------------

You can now view and plot raster files. See Viewing and Plotting Raster 
Files.



Xbase and RIS database interfaces
---------------------------------

The Xbase Database Interface, with enhanced SQL support, replaces the dBASE 
database server supplied with Version 4.

The RIS Database Interface, previously available only for the Intergraph 
workstation, will be available in Version 5.0. 



Design file-resident non-graphical database
-------------------------------------------

You can now store non-graphical attributes of elements in design files. 
(Beginning with Version 4.9.6, this feature is referred to as Attaching 
Non-graphical Element Tags instead of "Attribute Data Manager.")



On-line help
------------

The usability and performance of on-line help is much improved. See Using 
On-line Help.

Note:
The MicroStation Version 5.0 Help window on all supported platforms is 
similar in functionality to Microsoft Windows' Help system. If you run 
MicroStation Version 5.0 under Microsoft Windows (including Windows NT), 
you will also be able to use the Windows help system while running 
MicroStation.

The production version of MicroStation Version 5.0 will include help in 
Intergraph I/Help 8.0 (MicroStation) and Microsoft Windows formats. It will 
continue to display help resources created for Version 4; however, old help 
resources do not have sufficient data to fully support the new features in 
Version 5.0.



EdG
---

The EDG utility, which is used to edit design files and cell libraries in a 
non-graphical environment, is replaced by an enhanced version, renamed EdG. 
Enhancements include automated file repair.



PC display driver enhancements
------------------------------

The display driver interface for MicroStation PC has been enhanced to allow 
the drivers to integrate more closely with MicroStation's window manager. 
See PC Display Driver Enhancements.



Configuration variables
-----------------------

MicroStation now obtains configuration information from MicroStation for 
Windows NT, rather than system-level environment variables.



MicroStation button assignment
------------------------------

The new Button Assignment dialog box lets you change the "mapping" between 
the buttons on your mouse or digitizing tablet cursor and the MicroStation 
buttons (Data button, Tentative button, etc.).



Sticky menus
------------

You now no longer need to hold down the Data button to display a pull-down 
menu. See Using Pull-down Menus.



Keyboard navigation
-------------------

You can now use the keyboard to navigate between and inside pull-down 
menus, dialog boxes, and settings boxes. See Window Navigation.



Keyboard menu accelerators
--------------------------

Some Keyboard Accelerators for choosing pull-down menu items have been 
changed to be consistent with the emerging Windows 3.1 standard.



Filled element color
--------------------

It is now possible to fill closed elements with a different color than the 
element (outline) color. See Area and fill.



Multiple cell library usage
---------------------------

It is now no longer necessary to attach a cell library to place its cells. 
But by the same token, it is now easier to attach different cell libraries. 
Both of these enhancements are possible because of the addition of the 
configuration variable MS_CELLLIST. See Using Multiple Cell Libraries.



Rendered cell preview
---------------------

The Cells settings box now lets you preview wiremesh displays, polygon 
displays, and shaded models of cells (in addition to wireframe displays). 
See Settings menu/Cells.



Fast Cells view attribute
-------------------------

The Fast Cells view attribute lets you speed up view updating by omitting 
the display of cell detail. See View menu/Attributes.



True plot preview
-----------------

True plot preview is the most notable of several plotting enhancements. See 
Plotting Enhancements.



Undoable viewing operations
---------------------------

All view control operations and view attribute changes can be undone by 
choosing Previous from the View menu and redone by choosing Next. A history 
of eight viewing operations is stored for each view.



Clipboard operations on elements
--------------------------------

Even in the absence of a system Clipboard, you can now cut, copy, and paste 
elements (in addition to the contents of the Text Editor window). See Edit 
menu/Cut, Copy, and Paste.



Element selection criteria
--------------------------

You can now select or locate elements (or filter their display) based on 
element type, level, symbology, properties, class, or tag value. See Edit 
menu/Select By.



Text search and replace
-----------------------

As with a word processor, you can now perform search and replace operations 
on text strings. See Edit menu/Replace Text.



Exact color selection
---------------------

The Exact Color Selections dialog box lets you select specific colors as 
exact colors (design file-specific or system default). Design file-specific 
exact color selections are stored in a Type 66 element in the design file. 
System default exact color selections are saved as a user preference. See 
Settings menu/Colors > Color Table...



New Preferences dialog box
--------------------------

The Preferences and More Preferences dialog boxes are replaced with a new 
Preferences dialog box, featuring built-in help and more logical 
organization. See User menu/Preferences....



Reference file caching preference
---------------------------------

Turning off Cache When Display Off in the Preferences dialog box disables 
the memory caching of reference files that are not displayed. Disabling 
caching improves startup time when reference files are attached but not 
displayed.



Tool Settings window access
---------------------------

You need no longer click in the Tool Settings window (or have the palette 
open) to access the controls for tool settings. However, if you prefer the 
old keyboard focus behavior, you can turn off the new Auto-focus Tool 
Settings window preference to restore it.



Utilities sub-menu
------------------

The new Utilities sub-menu of the User Menu provides convenient access to 
several utilities, such as the screen capture utility and Font Installer, 
and to new features, such as section generation.



Offset multi-line placement
---------------------------

You can now adjust the work line when placing multi-lines with the Place 
Multi-line tool.



Optional scaling and mirroring of multi-line offsets
----------------------------------------------------

You now have the choice of whether to scale or mirror multi-line offsets 
when manipulating elements with the Scale or Mirror tools, respectively.



Boolean operations
------------------

The Measure Area, Hatch Area, Crosshatch Area, and Pattern Area tools can 
now perform Boolean operations; that is, they can operate on the 
intersection of, union of, or difference between two elements.



Associative patterning
----------------------

Using the area patterning tools in the Patterning palette, you can now 
associate a pattern with a closed element such that when the element is 
modified or manipulated, the pattern is automatically updated.



Flood fill
----------

The Measure Area, Hatch Area, Crosshatch Area, and Pattern Area tools now 
let you distinguish the area by entering a single data point anywhere 
within it.



Length and volume measurement
-----------------------------

The new Measure Length and Measure Volume tools make it easier to measure 
length and volume, respectively.



Mass properties analysis
------------------------

You can now perform mass properties analysis on measured geometry with some 
measuring tools and the new Mass Properties window.



Changes to traditional MicroStation font attributes
---------------------------------------------------

The following changes relate to specification of traditional MicroStation 
Font Attributes:
*  The new descender attribute specifies the uniform descender to be 
applied to all characters.
*  The default value of the height attribute is now 8192.
   


Consolidated Palettes
---------------------

MicroStation Version 5.0 features new palettes that have far fewer tools 
than the palettes in MicroStation Version 4. The tool palettes were 
reorganized because users told us that MicroStation would be easier to use 
if there were fewer tools. 

An example is the elimination of the need for a separate Fence palette -- 
instead the Main palette has a Fence sub-palette and the element 
manipulation tools that had analogous fence tools now have a pop-down check 
button called Use Fence, which if on makes the operation be performed on 
the fence contents.

   Using the 4.x palettes
   Main Palette


Using the 4.x palettes
----------------------

You can still use the Version 4 palettes, although for testing purposes we 
hope you will try the new ones and let us know what you think of them. 

>> To switch between the Version 5.0 and 4.x tool palettes:

1. From the User menu's Workspace sub-menu, choose Switch User Interface.
   The Switch User Interface dialog box opens.
2. In the list box, select default (for the 5.0 palettes) or v40.
3. Click the OK button.
   


Main Palette
------------

The Version 5.0 Main palette is arranged as follows

Left Column:                Right Column:

Element Selection           Lines sub-palette

Fence sub-palette           Polygons sub-palette

Arcs Sub-palette            Circles and Ellipses sub-palette

Curves sub-palette          Text sub-palette

Points sub-palette          Cells sub-palette

Fillets sub-palette         Manipulate Element sub-palette

Change Element sub-palette  Modify Element sub-palette

Chain sub-palette           Drop Element sub-palette

View Control                Delete Element
sub-palette



These Version 4 sub-palettes are removed. Their tools are consolidated with 
others, moved to another palette, or both:

Version 4    Comments:
Sub-palette:

Line Strings Tools are moved to either the Lines or 
             Curves sub-palette.

B-splines[a] Renamed the Curves sub-palette, with 
             curve placement tools from the Version 
             4 Line Strings and 3D Curves 
             sub-palettes added. The version 4 
             B-spline tools are consolidated.

Mirror ElemenAll six tools, along with the six tools 
             from the Fence Mirror sub-palette, are 
             combined in one 
             Mirror tool in 
             the Manipulate Element sub-palette.

Enter Data   Tools moved to the Text  sub-palette.
Fields 

[a]This is part of an overall effort to integrate B-splines into 
MicroStation and emphasize the geometry they let you represent instead of 
the fact they happen to be B-splines.
   
   

PC Display Driver Enhancements
------------------------------

The display driver interface for MicroStation PC has been enhanced to allow 
the drivers to integrate more closely with MicroStation's window manager. 
Drivers that take advantage of this new interface will provide
*  backing store, if Use Backing Store is on in the Display category of the 
Preferences dialog box (when a window is closed, graphics it was hiding 
update instantly), 
*  a more accurate display (weighted elements no longer extend into window 
borders), and 
*  faster updates (with graphics processors that support hardware 
clipping). 
   
Drivers that do not implement these features will operate as they did with 
Version 4.

The following MicroStation display drivers have been enhanced to take 
advantage of the new interface:
   VGA/Super VGA -- This driver takes advantage of the new interface to 
provide backing store for view windows. The same range of hardware 
supported by the Version 4.0 driver -- standard VGA 16-color modes as well 
as VESA compatible 8-, 16-, 24-, and 32-bit-per-pixel modes -- is supported 
by this driver. Using this driver with backing store enabled will increase 
MicroStation's memory requirements, since an offscreen image must be 
maintained for each view window. To calculate the amount of memory required 
for each view's offscreen image, multiply the pixel area of the view window 
(width times height) by the pixel depth in bytes (1 for 16- or 256-color 
display modes; 2, 3, or 4 for true color display modes).
   TIGA 2.x -- The same range of hardware that was supported by the Version 
4.0 driver is supported by this driver. Backing store is supported if 
sufficient offscreen memory is available on the TIGA board. (The amount of 
offscreen memory required is calculated in the same way as the VGA driver's 
backing store memory requirements are calculated.) Enabling backing store 
for the TIGA driver does not increase MicroStation's memory requirements.
   


Configuration Variables
-----------------------

The way your system hardware and software are set up is your configuration. 
MicroStation needs information about your configuration in order to work 
properly. To get this information, every time you start MicroStation 
Version 5.0, it processes the configuration variable files.

In Version 4, MicroStation obtained configuration information from 
system-level environment variables, which are set differently in different 
operating systems. Configuration variable files make Version 5.0 more 
consistent on different systems and give you greater flexibility in 
managing your configuration. Also, application programs written in MDL can 
create their own configuration variable files to define information they 
need.

If MicroStation cannot find the configuration variables it needs, it looks 
to system-level environment variables. This backwards compatibility means 
that pre-Version 5.0 configurations should continue to work with Version 
5.0 without any modifications.

There are the following levels of configuration variables:
*  System -- Automatically created when you install MicroStation. Some of 
the information, such as the directories in which particular files are 
located, is defined by the MicroStation installation program. Other 
information, such as the kind of graphics adapter and plotter in the 
system, is defined by the hardware.
*  Application -- Created by MDL applications.
*  Site -- (Optional) Created by the system manager at your site.
*  Project -- (Optional) Created by the project manager.
*  User -- Created by you, according to your needs.
   
You can edit user-level variables with the User Configuration Variables 
dialog box, which opens when you choose Workspace > Modify User 
Configuration... from the User menu. If you are a project manager, you may 
wish to edit project configuration variables, which are referenced in the 
user configuration variable file. You can do so with the Project 
Configuration Variables dialog box, which opens when you choose Workspace > 
Modify Project Configuration... from the User menu.

You cannot use the dialog box to directly edit the system-, application-, 
and site-level variables. (Few of them ever need to be changed, and most 
should not be changed.) However, you can define a user-level configuration 
variable with the same name as a lower-level variable. When your user 
variable file is processed, that user-level variable will override the 
lower-level variable. Other users will not be affected.

If your requirements are extraordinary and you feel that you must modify a 
sytem, application, or site configuration variable file, see Configuration 
Variable Files. You must use a text editor, and you must have some basic 
knowledge of programming concepts and techniques.



Button Assignment
-----------------

The Button Assignments dialog box, which opens when Button Assignments... 
is chosen from the User menu, is used to change digitizing tablet or mouse 
button assignments.

Some aspects of dialog box operation are platform- or device-specific. For 
information, see PC (DOS) and 32 (Environ V).

   PC (DOS)
   32 (Environ V)


PC (DOS)
--------

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).
   
   Mouse
   Digitizing tablet


Mouse
-----

The default mouse button assignments are as follows

MicroStation       Invoked by
button

Data               Button 1 (left button)

Tentative          Button 1-Button 2 Chord

Reset              Button 2 (right button)

Command            Not available

Cursor 1/3D Data   <Alt>-Button 1

Cursor 2/3D Tentati<Alt>-Button 1-Button 2 
                   chord

Cursor 3-12        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.



Digitizing tablet
-----------------

The default digitizing tablet button assignments are as follows

MicroStation       Invoked by
button

Data               Button 1

Tentative          Button 3

Reset              Button 4

Command            Button 2

Cursor 1/3D Data   Button 5

Cursor 2/3D TentatiButton 6

Cursor 3-12        Buttons 7-16



If you are using a digitizing tablet, you will probably want to reassign 
the buttons because the mapping between buttons and the button reports sent 
by the tablet to MicroStation varies from one tablet model to another.



32 (Environ V)
--------------

You can assign button combinations that are
   A single button.
   A single button modified by double-clicking.
   A single button modified by the <Alt> key.
   
On many Intergraph workstation keyboards, the <Alt> key is a "lock," 
requiring two pushes to apply and release. If you find the "lock" feature 
to be inconvenient, you may want to change the default mouse button 
assignments for the Command, 3D Data, or 3D Tentative buttons. On the other 
hand, avoiding double-click assignments results in faster response time.

   Mouse
   Digitizing tablet


Mouse
-----

The default mouse button assignments are as follows

MicroStation       Invoked by
button

Data               Button 2 (middle button)

Tentative          Button 1 (left button)

Reset              Button 3 (right button)

Command            <Alt>-Button 3

Cursor 1/3D Data   <Alt>-Button 2

Cursor 2/3D Tentati<Alt>-Button 1

Cursor 3-12        Not available





Digitizing tablet
-----------------

The default digitizing tablet button assignments are as follows

MicroStation       Invoked by
button

Data               Button 2

Tentative          Button 6

Reset              Button 3

Command            Button 1 (cannot be 
                   changed) 

Cursor 1/3D Data   Button 5

Cursor 2/3D TentatiButton 7

Cursor 3-5         Buttons 9-11

Cursor 6-8         Buttons 13-15



The defaults are set up for the common 12-button cursor. With this cursor, 
buttons 4, 8, and 12 are never reported, and thus are not assigned by 
default. If you have a 16-button cursor, you will probably want to modify 
the assignments to take advantage of the additional buttons.

The Command button assignment cannot be changed. The list box entry for the 
Command button cannot be selected.



Keyboard Accelerators
---------------------

The following table lists changes since Version 4 to keyboard accelerators 
for choosing menu items. These changes keep MicroStation consistent with 
the emerging Windows 3.1 standard.

Menu item    V4               V5.0             Notes
             accelerator      accelerator

File menu/Exi<Ctrl-Q> or      none             Neither of the V4 
             <Ctrl-Z>                          "accelerators" could be 
                                               used to directly exit; 
                                               they merely "typed" exit 
                                               in the Command Window.To 
                                               directly exit V5.0 using 
                                               the keyboard, press 
                                               <Alt-F>, .

Edit menu/Und<Alt-BackSpace>  <Ctrl-Z> or      <Ctrl-Z>, the Windows 3.1 
                              <Alt-BackSpace>  standard, is displayed in 
                                               the menu.

Edit menu/Red<Alt-Ins>        <Ctrl-R> or      <Ctrl-R> is displayed in 
                              <Alt-Ins>        the menu.



Note:
The Windows 3.1 (and Macintosh) standard accelerators for the Edit menu 
items Cut, Copy, and Paste are now displayed in the menu. They are 
<Ctrl-X>, <Ctrl-C>, and <Ctrl-V>, respectively. The Motif standards 
<Shift-Del>, <Ctrl-Ins>, and <Shift-Ins>, respectively, still work but only 
for text editing.



Using Multiple Cell Libraries
-----------------------------

Beginning in Version 5.0, if you key in ACTIVE CELL <cellname> or 
AC=<cellname>, MicroStation searches for the specified cell in the list of 
cell libraries in the MS_CELLLIST configuration variable definition if it 
cannot locate the cell in the attached cell library. If the active design 
file does not have an attached cell library, MicroStation starts searching 
in the cell library list.

As in previous versions, MicroStation uses only the attached cell library 
for any operation that modifies the cell library (for example, cell 
creation and renaming).

MS_CELLLIST may contain a list of library names (possibly containing 
wildcard characters) separated by semicolons. The libraries are searched in 
the order that they appear in the definition. If wildcard characters are 
used, libraries are searched in alphabetical order.

For example, if MS_CELLLIST expands to:
   C:\proj1\master.cel;C:\frank\mine;C:\cell\p*.cel
and the files "projcel.cel," "pipe2.cel," "house.cel," and "peter.cel" are 
in the "C:\cell" directory, MicroStation will search the attached cell 
library and then the files in MS_CELLLIST in the following order:
   <attached cell library>
   "c:\proj1\master.cel"
   "c:\frank\mine.cel"
   "c:\cell\peter.cel"
   "c:\cell\pipe.cel"
   "c:\cell\projcel.cel"
   
Hint:
A menu item for each cell library in MS_CELLLIST is appended to the File 
menu's "Cell Library" sub-menu and also to the new File menu in the Cell 
Library settings box. This makes it easier for you to attach different cell 
libraries.

>> To attach a cell library (without using the Attach Cell Library dialog 
box or the ATTACH LIBRARY (RC=) key-in):

1. From the File menu's Cell Library sub-menu, choose the desired cell 
library.
   or
   From the File menu in the Cell Library settings box, choose the desired 
cell library.
   
Note:
Cell libraries in MS_CELLLIST must have a cell library index file.

Note:
3D cell libraries are ignored when the active design file is 2D.

Note:
Nested cells are always expanded from the same library as their parent.



Plotting Enhancements
---------------------

Version 5.0 has several plotting enhancements, the most notable of which is 
true plot preview.

   Previewing plots
   Other


Previewing plots
----------------

MicroStation emulates the selected plotter to display on-screen previews of 
plots.

>> To preview a plot:

1. In the Preview Plot dialog box, click the Preview button.
   The preview window opens. The text in the title bar corresponds to the 
border comment.
2. To stop generation of the preview image in progress, press <Esc>.
   or
   When done with the preview, press any key.
   In either case, you are returned to the Preview Plot dialog box.
   


Other
-----

The following sections cover other plotting enhancements.

   Hewlett-Packard DesignJet/DesignJet 600 support
   Filled polygons and filled text
   Points
   PostScript prolog file specification
   Borders
   RGB pen color specification
   Default scale for paper size
   LaserJet 3-specific enhancements


Hewlett-Packard DesignJet/DesignJet 600 support
-----------------------------------------------

MicroStation now supports the HP DesignJet and HP DesignJet 600 plotters. A 
new sample plotter configuration file, "hpdjet.plt," is supplied.



Filled polygons and filled text
-------------------------------

HP-GL and HP-GL/2 plotters use general polygon filling rather than 
trapezoid filling. The benefits are smaller files, faster processing and 
better quality. 

The maximum filled polygon that a plotter can handle varies by model, 
memory and setup. To enable filled polygon plotting and to specify the size 
threshold above which polygons are cut into trapezoids before filling, 
include a record of the new type LARGEST_POLYGON in the plotter 
configuration file. The format is as follows:
LARGEST_POLYGON=<threshold>

Practical threshold values are 100 for HP-GL plotters and 512 for HP-GL/2 
plotters.



Points
------

Plotting of points is enabled by including a record of the new type 
POINT_SIZE in the plotter configuration file. The format is as follows
   POINT_SIZE=<cm>
For example, the record POINT_SIZE=0.5 enables plotting of points of 0.5 
cm.

Representation is determined by the device driver. The HP-GL and HP-GL/2 
drivers represent points as filled circles; the Calcomp 906/907 drivers, as 
circles.



PostScript prolog file specification
------------------------------------

The new PROLOG PostScript plotter configuration file record specifies the 
PostScript prolog file, whose contents are copied by MicroStation into 
PostScript plotfiles.

The format is as follows:
   PROLOG=<file_spec>
A full or partial path specification is allowed. In the absence of a full 
path specification, MicroStation uses the MS_PLTR configuration variable 
definition to complete the specification.

For example:
   PROLOG=myps.pro
The default is still "pscript.pro." The file "pscript.pro" is installed in 
MicroStation's "plotting/pltcfg" directory.



Borders
-------

*  You can now include a BORDER record in the plotter configuration file 
that specifies a border that will not be plotted unless you turn on Draw 
Border in the (Plot) Options dialog box before creating the plotfile. The 
option is /OFF.
*  Border comments can now be specified in the BORDER plotter configuration 
file record in addition to in the Options dialog box. The option is 
/COMMENT=("comment_text").
   
The following is an example of a BORDER record with the new options:
   BORDER/PEN=1/COMMENT=("My plot")/TIME/OFF


RGB pen color specification
---------------------------

The new RGB option for PEN plotter configuration file records specifies pen 
color using the RGB color model. If you are using a pen plotter, the RGB 
option is necessary for on screen plot preview. If you are using a plotter 
with programmable color, the RGB option lets you override the screen color 
when plotting.

The following is an example of a PEN record with the new option:
   PEN(2)=6/RGB=(100,100,100) ; medium grey


Default scale for paper size
----------------------------

The new SCALE option for SIZE plotter configuration file records can be 
used to set the default plotting scale factor for a particular paper size.

The following is an example of a SIZE record with the new option:
   SIZE=.../SCALE=.2/NAME=E


LaserJet 3-specific enhancements
--------------------------------

On the HP-GL/2-based Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 3
*  You can now plot the full extent of the page (10.6" x 8.16").
*  Paper tray selection is now implemented.
*  All page sizes are now supported.
   


Binary Portable Resource Files
------------------------------

Many resource files are now "binary portable." That is, they can be used 
with MicroStation Version 5.0 running on any platform.

The following are examples of resource files that are binary portable:
*  style libraries
*  parametric curve libraries
   
Some files, because of the platform-specific nature of their contents, are 
not binary portable -- for example, "ustation.rsc," MDL application (.ma) 
files, and user preference files.



MicroStation for Windows NT
---------------------------

Included is an incomplete, preliminary version of MicroStation 5.0 for the 
Windows NT (Beta) operating system. Currently, only an x86 (Intel) 
executable is provided. Please do not use it with design files for which 
you do not have a backup.

The following Windows NT-specific capabilities are supported in this 
version:
*  Windows Clipboard (partial implementation).
*  Printing (the File menu has a Print item).
*  Windows Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) client application support.
*  Backing store for view windows (usage is a MicroStation user 
preference).
   
The following are known limitations of this version:
*  Digitizing tablets are not supported.
*  Only a single screen can be used.
   
