Problem

Request for MicroStation, or applications built on the MicroStation platform, to be able to shutdown automatically after passage of a predetermined amount of time.

Solution

MicroStation V8 2004 Edition, V8 XM, V8i, CONNECT and platform based applications

A built-in configuration variable MS_IDLETIMEOUT has been included that allows you to define a set amount of idle time after which MicroStation will shut down. A minimum of 30 minutes can be used within this configuration variable and if set to 0 the software will never exit, even if idle.

When defined time period of non-use or idleness has been reached a dialog box will appear advising MicroStation will be terminating in 60 seconds. If you click on the OK button you can continue to work, otherwise MicroStation will then shut down.

Ideally this variable should be controlled by the site configuration, it is generally an option that would be applied across a whole organization or workgroup.

To set the time out to 30 minutes (the minimum) add the following line to the site configuration, to standards.cfg or it's equivalent.

MS_IDLETIMEOUT = 30

The default location for standards.cfg is C:\ProgramData\Bentley\.....\WorkSpace\Standards

In a networked workspace add this variable to the site configuration.

To enforce a time out period the variable can be locked at site level by adding a %lock statement:

MS_IDLETIMEOUT = 30

%lock MS_IDLETIMEOUT

Notes

MS_IDLETIMEOUT only takes effect during an Active application session, i.e. if a DGN file is open.

If DGN file is closed and an application is left at a file open dialog MS_IDLETIMEOUT will not have any effect.

Users should still be advised to close applications when they do not need to use them.

MicroStation V7 or /J

The Idle tool for these older versions "idle.ma" is available on request from technical support staff.

Other Language Sources

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See Also

Road and Site Design - Idle Timeout

Product articles and FAQs

External Links

Bentley LEARN Server