Open files without changing the last modified date

As I recall, MicroStation has always done that unless files were explicitly opened as "Read Only".
But I only have a couple of workspaces where I've ever wanted the Auto-save disabled, so I could be thinking of something else.

Does it change the date if the file IS opened as read-only? if not, that could be your workaround.

Thanks for the quick reply.

Yes, if the file is opened read-only the problem doesn't occur.

Not the best solution from a practical standpoint, since i cannot open any file directly from Windows with a double-click. 

Or am I missing something?

Mario Tosques said:

i cannot open any file directly from Windows with a double-click

If you understand how Windows file associations work, you can tell MicroStation to always open read-only when you double-click in Windows Explorer.

When you install a product, such as MicroStation, the installer adds a file association to Windows.  Windows associates the file extension .dgn with executable MicroStation.exe.  Windows subsequently sees a file having a .dgn extension and knows to start MicroStation.  You can modify the association to include the MicroStation read-only switch.

Of course, that means that all files you open with a double-click will be read-only.  That may not be what you (or your colleagues) expect.  An alternative would be to create a shortcut to MicroStation, and edit the shortcut to include the read-only command-line switch.  When you want to open a file read-only, double-click that shortcut and navigate to the file you want to open read-only.

Another alternative for you is to install Bentley View  and when you open thru windows explorer use the  open with  Bentely view , via the shift rmb open with >  Bentley view, and it will open as read only  and  no changes to dates,  as your  a subscriber to Bentley, then the viewer is FREE...

if you have custom rsc and  linestyles etc  you'll need to copy them into Bentley views folder

Ok, I understand there is not real solution to the bug. Because this is a bug.

As a workaround, I prefer using Bentley View as the default program (as Lorys suggests), and using Microstation on purpose only when I need to edit the file.

Adding the -R option to the command also works. But making it the default behavior of Microstation seems overkill. The shortcut solution is similar to using Bentley View.

Thanks.

I read the OP and was a bit confused. Perhaps lack of knowledge on my part. I had this issue when I started using the bug-ridden Connect. But it was because I needed to add each opened file to a Workset. I use file date for info, so I ran a batch file to add all main DGNs to the appropriate workset. Now when I just open a file the date does not change. The other thing that confused me was that you're getting a 'Save Changes To' prompt. I never see that, likely because I have Auto-Save Design Changes on. Being a long time Microstation user, I don't understand why you'd want that disabled, but there must be a reason. We do have undo.

I read the OP and was a bit confused. Perhaps lack of knowledge on my part. I had this issue when I started using the bug-ridden Connect. But it was because I needed to add each opened file to a Workset. I use file date for info, so I ran a batch file to add all main DGNs to the appropriate workset. Now when I just open a file the date does not change. The other thing that confused me was that you're getting a 'Save Changes To' prompt. I never see that, likely because I have Auto-Save Design Changes on. Being a long time Microstation user, I don't understand why you'd want that disabled, but there must be a reason. We do have undo.