Microstation V8i configuration files

Unknown said:

What is wrong with the definitions I currently have designating "MS_DRY=P:/...../12-01 AE-UPTOWN/" and "MS_COLD=S:/BENTLEY/V8/WORKSPACE/System/"

May be nothing, usually the way is to use existing configuration as much as possible and to create the new ones when it unambiguously simplify the solution. I just offered you the idea of the solution that works for sure and doesn't require to use nothing else than standard variables. If you decided to use own solution, but don't define exactly what is the overall concept of your solution (what is where, what file is shared on what level), you cannot expect somebody will invest substantial time and effort to examine the whole your system and workspace and investigate the problems.

Unknown said:

The intent is to keep all of the used cells, tables, fonts, etc. on the server

Done.

Unknown said:

and refer back to them as new projects come in (City, Client, TxDOT, etc).  This description sounds like the intent is to copy all the cells, etc. to each project as it comes about, which would lead to the duplication of files.

From your description I understood the files are project files, so they will be used in one project, not shared between more projects. If they are the same for all projects, they would belong to Standard (and never ever into System).

Unknown said:

Even with the Project configuration set to look for on location, why is it that when the configuration has different results when placed in one place versus another?

No way how to answer your question other than you use differently set configuration files (at least one of them), there probably cannot be any different reason. But you don't provide any valuable information  (msdebug log from these two computers but with the same user + project + interface), that can help to asnwer the question.The only solution is to create msdebug files with completely the same workspace, compare it side by side (any advanced text editor can do it) and check, where they are different.

Regards,

  Jan

What is wrong with the definitions I currently have designating "MS_DRY=P:/...../12-01 AE-UPTOWN/" and "MS_COLD=S:/BENTLEY/V8/WORKSPACE/System/"

The intent is to keep all of the used cells, tables, fonts, etc. on the server and refer back to them as new projects come in (City, Client, TxDOT, etc).  This description sounds like the intent is to copy all the cells, etc. to each project as it comes about, which would lead to the duplication of files.

Even with the Project configuration set to look for on location, why is it that when the configuration has different results when placed in one place versus another?

One more note (there is always one more note ;-)

Another approach is to share the whole workspace folder (everything under Workspace) on a network, which can be done by changing _USTN_WORKSPACEROOT configuration variable. But in my opinion it's more complex because many more files are shared, so I think you should start with simplier "project only" sharing.

With regards,

 Jan

Hi,

I think the discussion should be split into two topics: (A) Why your current configuration doesn't work as expected and (B) How your workspace should be implemented in a right way. I think (A) is not so important now, because your try has substantial weaknesses, so we should focus on (B).

A few notes:

• MicroStation configuration, workspaces and configuration files are complex and wide area.
• To try something without good specification what is the aim and priorities usually fails.
• Each workspace (final MicroStation configuration) is a result of many configuration files. Because of that, msdebug is the basic tool how to share information. To discuss e.g. project file only is the same as to discuss car properties without knowledge about things like engine, its output, specific configuration etc.
• One situation / request can be sometimes solved in different ways.

You have defined that the basic features are:

• Files should be shared over network by more MicroStation users.
• Files like cells are project specific, so they should not be available generally.

What I think you can do (or at least try):
(It's a simplified template you can try and to modified accordingly to your needs.)

1. Leave System (and any other) MicroStation folder intacted, don't place any files into them!
2. On the server create a folder named e.g. SharedProjects.
3. From standard MicroStation workspace copy to this folder untitled folder (including subfolders) and untitled.pcf file .
4. Rename both to WP1201-AE-UPTOWN and WP1201-AE-UPTOWN.pcf.
5. Copy cell libraries and other files to proper subfolders in WP1201-AE-UPTOWN folder.
6. Share this folder to network users.
7. On your workstation attach this shared drive as e.g. disc P:
8. Start MicroStation with ustation.exe -WS_USTN_PROJECTSROOT=P:\ -WPWP1201-AE-UPTOWN -WUuntitled
   Note: Recommended way is to copy MicroStation shortcut to your desktop and to change Target in shortcut properties. It would be something like "C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\MicroStation\ustation.exe" -WS_USTN_PROJECTSROOT=P:\ -WUuntitled -WPWP1201-AE-UPTOWN ... be careful where quotations are ;-)
9. MicroStation should start with set project to WP1201-AE-UPTOWN and untitled user with all path configured to the shared network disc.
   Note: Because MicroStation remembers the last used folder, sometimes it's necessary to switch project to untitled and back to the one shared on the network, otherwise it still points to former folder.

As you can see, you don't have to do anything with pcf file. It's because the system how variables are evaluated is defined in a hierarchic way, so the only way you have to do is to start MicroStation with own definition where project files (pcf file + project folder) are placed.

If you add another project (pcf file + project folder with standardized subfolders) into this shared folder, it will be automatically available in MicroStation open file dialog immediately (after MicroStation restart).

With regards,

  Jan

Attached is the debug for the S: drive.