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.

Hi Mario,

You could create a new shortcut that opens MicroStation in read-only mode in the right-click "Send To" menu of Windows Explorer. This won't change the default DGN double-click behavior, but it will let you easily open any DGN in read-only mode by right-clicking it and choosing Send To> MicroStation (Read-Only).

1. Right-click on Start and choose Run
2. Type in shell:sendto and press enter to open your Send To folder
3. Copy the MicroStation shortcut from the Start menu with a right-click
4. Paste a copy of the shortcut into your Send To folder
5. Right click on this new shortcut and choose properties
6. On the Shortcut tab, in the Target field, after the last quotation mark add a space followed by -R
7. On the General tab, at the top, add (Read-Only) to the end of the name of the shortcut 
8. Click the OK button

Now you should be able to right-click on any DGN and pick the MicroStation (Read-Only) shortcut to open the DGN in MicroStation in read-only mode.

Regards,
Ron

Hi Mario,

You could create a new shortcut that opens MicroStation in read-only mode in the right-click "Send To" menu of Windows Explorer. This won't change the default DGN double-click behavior, but it will let you easily open any DGN in read-only mode by right-clicking it and choosing Send To> MicroStation (Read-Only).

1. Right-click on Start and choose Run
2. Type in shell:sendto and press enter to open your Send To folder
3. Copy the MicroStation shortcut from the Start menu with a right-click
4. Paste a copy of the shortcut into your Send To folder
5. Right click on this new shortcut and choose properties
6. On the Shortcut tab, in the Target field, after the last quotation mark add a space followed by -R
7. On the General tab, at the top, add (Read-Only) to the end of the name of the shortcut 
8. Click the OK button

Now you should be able to right-click on any DGN and pick the MicroStation (Read-Only) shortcut to open the DGN in MicroStation in read-only mode.

Regards,
Ron