CFG Variables for Plotting

That would be a nice list to have but I am not aware of one. Most of the variables work from one version to the next. Are there any variables in particular you have questions about?

I am looking to setup defaults for a number of plotting items. I tried some that I found somewhere but a number of the are either not working or I don't understand what they do.

I have a few users who only plot to their standard windows printer and would like to have it default to a Windows printer. Others very seldom print to the standard windows printer so defaulting to a Bentley driver is ideal.

I also noticed how the Print Organizer is defaulting to a driver folder instead of a project folder when I select the Open button.

We have multiple clients and use the PCF file to setup variables that need to vary by client, so PLTCFG and PLT folder locations need to honor the client. Likewise, pen table folders, plot output folders, folders where other plotting support files are saved.

I have seen these two variables described as basically doing the same thing. Is one obsolete or completely in errror?

• MS_DEFAULT_PLTCFG_FILE
• MS_PLOTDLG_DEF_PLT_FILE

There may be other confusing variables, too.

The configuration variable MS_DEFAULT_PLTCFG_FILE was added in 8.11.5. If it is set to a printer driver configuration filename, that file (instead of the most recently used one) is selected when you open the print dialog. The value of this variable may be either a .pltcfg or .plt file. This variable replaces the old variable MS_PLOTDLG_DEF_PLTFILE. The name of the old variable was misleading in that it implied only a .plt file could be defined, and that it only affected the print dialog application. Note that the old variable is still honored if MS_DEFAULT_PLTCFG_FILE is not defined.

What version of MicroStation are you using? If this variable is not behaving as expected, is it possible you have a default print style set that could be defining the default pltcfg?

The configuration variable MS_DEFAULT_PLTCFG_FILE was added in 8.11.5. If it is set to a printer driver configuration filename, that file (instead of the most recently used one) is selected when you open the print dialog. The value of this variable may be either a .pltcfg or .plt file. This variable replaces the old variable MS_PLOTDLG_DEF_PLTFILE. The name of the old variable was misleading in that it implied only a .plt file could be defined, and that it only affected the print dialog application. Note that the old variable is still honored if MS_DEFAULT_PLTCFG_FILE is not defined.

What version of MicroStation are you using? If this variable is not behaving as expected, is it possible you have a default print style set that could be defining the default pltcfg?