Where is the Command Window in Microstation Connect?

We use the Microstation V8i Command Window (MS_USECOMMANDWINDOW) for typing commands.

We could turn it on under Workspace/Configuration/Operation/Use Command Window & set the value to 1.

Has this been eliminated in Microstation Connect?

Parents
  • I have been using Microstation since last 24 years. We have been using  command prompt to type commands throughout all version of Microstation.
    As this option is removed for Microstation Connect version we have to type command in Key-in  window. The problem with this option is that it doesn't retain the cursor as you hit enter key after typing some command. One has to click every time in the Key-in window for tying any command.

    Is there any solution for this. Else please retain the original command window.

Reply
  • I have been using Microstation since last 24 years. We have been using  command prompt to type commands throughout all version of Microstation.
    As this option is removed for Microstation Connect version we have to type command in Key-in  window. The problem with this option is that it doesn't retain the cursor as you hit enter key after typing some command. One has to click every time in the Key-in window for tying any command.

    Is there any solution for this. Else please retain the original command window.

Children
  • As explained previously that this Command Window is no longer available and that you should be using the key-in dialog.

    Regards
    Andrew Bell
    Technical Support
    Bentley Systems

  • Hi Bharat,

    As this option is removed for Microstation Connect version

    I am not sure whether my memory is correct, but Command window was replaced by Key-in dialog (and the window was marked as obsolete and to be released in future) in MicroStation V8 ... 17 years ago. Even when I agree new features should not be used just because they are new, it was long enough time to adapt used workflows to this change.

    The problem with this option is that it doesn't retain the cursor as you hit enter key after typing some command.

    Yes, it's default behaviour, because keyboard focus is needed somewhere else when a tool is activated: to start another tool using mapping or shortcut, to control Tool Settings dialog or to control AccuDraw. To keep the focus inside one dialog only would decrease "control ability" rapidly.

    One has to click every time in the Key-in window for tying any command.

    Why? A concept of "Home position" (home focus) was introduced long time ago (was it in V8i?) and it ensures that from "home" (ESC key) different dialogs can be navigated to without mouse clicking. In this case it's "Enter", so ESC > Enter > focus is in the dialog. Whereas there have been plenty of discussions about keyboard mapping vs. new keyboard shortcuts and in V8i time about the mapping itself, the workflow to press Enter to move focus to Key-in dialog is the same for years and as far as I remember from different trainings, usually accepted by users as good feature.

    Is there any solution for this.

    Yes, the solution is to adapt how MicroStation has worked from (at least) V8i version (> 10 years). Navigate to different dialogs from the home position is the key feature how MicroStation is controled from keyboard.

    Else please retain the original command window.

    You can post your wish to Ideas section.

    Regards,

      Jan

  • In the "simple" category, I will turn off Accudraw to get the focus to remain in the keyin window. This works for place line but does not work for place text, which will always return focus to the text dialogue box.

    what about the keyin  set items tool settings ...? how does one then find the additional commands?

    Connect r17 10.17.2.61 self-employed-Unpaid Beta tester for Bentley

  • Hi Jan,

    Thanks for your reply, I do agree with adopting new changes in software. Every time when new version will be released, look of tool bar will be changed, their grouping will be changed etc. Should we train the user every time to find tools? Our team is using V8i from last 2 years.

    Now we have spent almost a month to train them "Microstation Connect". How worth is it to repeat the story in future?

    What I think if we are good enough to work using commands then no matter how the software changes it's environment, user will have less difficulty in adopting changes. We can save lot of training hours and improve efficiency.

    So I strongly recommend to be a command base user and request to bring back the "Command Prompt".

    Remember "Command Prompt" in V8i have been attached with "Menu bar". Lots of things you can do using short cuts in "Menu Bar"

    e.g. In V8i You can load reference manager by pressing (Alt + F,  F) .........like so on 

  • Every time when new version will be released, look of tool bar will be changed, their grouping will be changed etc. Should we train the user every time to find tools?

    Your users should not need retrained for a simple GUI change. The issue with switching to Connect is the incredible amount of defects and bugs. Just the text routines alone I can list 6 things it does incorrectly. They're subtle, but when you first encounter they will confuse.

    Much like you can't fix stupid, you can't train for defective, sloppy software. You can adopt certain habits, engage some work arounds, which is what I have done. But my situation is much easier, it's just me.

    Connect r17 10.17.2.61 self-employed-Unpaid Beta tester for Bentley