MicroStation CONNECT Edition Frequently Asked Questions

Which operating systems are supported?

• Windows 10 (64-bit) - Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education
• Windows 8 (64-bit) - Standard, Pro, and Enterprise
• Windows 8.1 (64-bit) - Standard, Pro, and Enterprise
• Windows 7 SP1 (64-bit) - Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate
• Windows Server 2016 (64 bit)
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (64 bit)
• Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1(64 bit) - Standard and Enterprise

Note: MicroStation CONNECT Edition runs on 64-bit systems only

What are the minimum hardware requirements?

• Processor: Intel® or AMD® 64-bit processor.

• Memory: 4 GB minimum, 16 GB recommended. More memory almost always improves performance, particularly when working with larger models.

• Hard Disk: 9 GB free disk space (which includes the 5.6 GB install footprint for a complete installation)

• Video: See the graphics card manufacturer for latest information on DirectX drivers. 256 MB of video RAM or higher is recommended. If insufficient video RAM or no graphics card supported by DirectX can be found, MicroStation attempts to use software emulation. For optimal performance, graphics display color depth should be set to 24-bit or higher. When using a color depth setting of 16-bit, some inconsistencies will be noted. For more information on recommended workstation profiles for MicroStation, see MicroStation System Requirements and Hardware Recommendations.

• Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 or higher.

Is the V8 DGN file format sustained in this release?

Yes, the V8 DGN format remains unchanged for the MicroStation CONNECT Edition

Can I install MicroStation CONNECT Edition on the same workstation as MicroStation V8i?

You can install MicroStation CONNECT Edition on workstations that are also running the V8i edition of Bentley products. 

Will my existing Bentley applications run on this version?

CONNECT Edition releases of Bentley applications will become available. Until then, V8i applications are still compatible with this version at the file level, since the V8 DGN format has not changed.

What versions of ProjectWise Design Integration will be supported by this release?

MicroStation CONNECT Edition commercial release will support ProjectWise Explorer Client CONNECT Edition commercial release. The ProjectWise Explorer Client CONNECT Edition will be able to connect to  ProjectWise Integration Servers V8i SS4 version 08.11.11.111 or higher.

What is the easiest way to find the tools I need in this new version?

After familiarizing yourself with the layout, be sure to use the integrated search found in the upper right corner of the interface to find any command quickly. You can also launch commands directly from the search bar.

What versions of Autodesk ® RealDWG™ are supported?

The MicroStation CONNECT Edition ships with Autodesk ® RealDWG™ 2016 which supports DWG versions 14 – 2016.

Which object enablers are supported?

Any object enablers that are compatible with Autodesk ® RealDWG™ 2016

Are my existing Workspaces supported?

MicroStation CONNECT Edition adds new concepts to the application's configuration.  Please check the product documentation for details on how to upgrade existing Workspaces to a CONNECT Edition configuration.

In particular the Configuration topic as well as the The WorkSpaceSetup.cfg Configuration File topic should be consulted.

How do I migrate my V8i user interface customizations to this version?

All of your exiting toolboxes, tasks, cursor menus and custom application user interfaces from MicroStation V8i are supported in this version. We have also provided easy migration tools to upgrade your existing V8i customizations to the new ribbon and ribbon panel popups when you chose to do so. We estimate that 80-90% of your user interface customizations are immediately useful in this version.

Here is a complete list of what V8i user interface concepts are supported in this release with no additional effort

• Tasks and Task Workflows
• Icons and Toolboxes
• Cursor menus
• Custom application interfaces using MDL, MFC, and Winforms

Is MicroStation BASIC still supported?

MicroStation no longer includes MicroStation BASIC, it is suggested that existing MicroStation BASIC macros be rewritten as VBA to be used in the new version.  The MicroStation VBA help documentation provides a good reference for VBA creation and we have included some of the primary differences between the two languages below to help you get started. Additionally, the Bentley Institute offers several MicroStation VBA Programming courses which provide in-depth instructions for customizing MicroStation with VBA

How do I migrate MicroStation BASIC macros to the new version?

MicroStation BASIC macros can be migrated to the new version with one of the following methods:

• Simple macros that only set parameters (color, style, weight, etc.) can be converted to Element Templates. The Element Templates will be immediately usable in the new version. If your macro also needs to execute a command you can create a custom tool which utilizes the Element template, this processes allows the Element template to be reused by several different tools.
• Rewrite your MicroStation BASIC macro in VBA using the information provided in the MicroStation VBA Help documentation and the Bentley Institute course “MicroStation VBA Programming”.

What is the activation period for MicroStation CONNECT Edition?

MicroStation will run without a license for 7 days as an evaluation period.  After being licensed, it must communicate with a license server at least every seven days to continue operation.  In fact, all Bentley desktop products are now standardized on a seven day activation period.  This ensures better, more accurate reporting and helps to make sure a company does not inadvertently exceed their license count.

For those customers running disconnected or mobile solutions the best option for uninterrupted operation is to check out a license.  A checked out license can run up to a year without connecting to a license server.

How are new element types such as tables and parametric cells handled in previous editions of MicroStation?

New element types are generally displayed in previous versions of MicroStation but remain read-only in that they cannot be edited or moved.  However they can be copied or deleted.

Are two licenses used if I start MicroStation CONNECT and V8i at the same time?

Although two usage records are recorded, one for each product, only one usage is calculated as it is run on one unique machine.  So the behavior is the same as if two instances of the same version were started at the same time. 

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