Dynamic Composition Server for PDF (DCS for PDF) FAQ
Please refer to the ProjectWise Implementation guide and the help for more information
What are the operating system requirements for DCS for PDF Server?
Windows Server 2008R2 SP1, Standard and Enterprise Editions(64-bit)
Is the old Distribution Service still delivered with Projectwise SS4?
Yes, the old Distribution Service is still delivered and available for use with Projectwise SS4 (08.11.11.111)
Can I have both DCS for PDF Server and Distribution service on the same server?
No. This configuration is not supported.
Where can I find information on how to install and configure DCS for PDF?
The ProjectWise Server Setups delivers the ProjectWise Implementation guide. See chapter 14 for installing and configuring DCS for PDF.
Does Dynamic Composition Server for PDF require a license?
Yes, Dynamic Composition Server for PDF does require a license.
What are the supported input file types for Renditions?
DGN,DWG, Word, Excel, PDF, and Raster.
What type of rendition output files can be published with DCS for PDF?
DCS for PDF lets you publish renditions (PDF, JPEG, TIFF, and/or CALS) from documents stored in ProjectWise.
Which print engine or engines should you install to publish CAD files?
ProjectWise Dynamic Composition Server for PDF supports using either MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 3) or Bentley View V8i (SELECTseries 3) as the default print engine for publishing renditions from DGN and DWG source documents. For other organizations, you may have some DGNs which require special processing and which MicroStation or Bentley View alone cannot adequately publish. In those cases, you will need to install (in addition to MicroStation or Bentley View) the necessary print engines to process those other DGNs
What are some examples of when you might need additional print engines?
AECOsim Building Designer for DGN’s authored with Bentley Building and Architecture applications, and Geo mapping products may be needed for full fidelity with screen display
How can you determine which additional print engines you might need?
Open a particular DGN in MicroStation. If the graphics appear correct and the Items dialog (File > Item Browser) shows the correct properties, then you can assume you do not need to install that DGN’s source design application on the ProjectWise Dynamic Composition Server for PDF computer, and you can simply use MicroStation or Bentley View as the print engine.
What happens when the required additional print engines are not installed?
In this case, MicroStation or Bentley View will be used to publish renditions from DGNs and DWGs as usual, but some of the renditions may not properly display all of the graphics or all of the property information you are expecting
What requirements are necessary to publish renditions from Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel documents?
Besides having to install a Postscript to PDF converter such as Ghostscript, you need to install the native Microsoft application (Microsoft Word/Excel) for each type of document you plan to publish renditions for and create a Windows postscript printer and specify that printer on the ProjectWise InterPlot Organizer Configure - Integrate dialog.
For prints up to 11 x 17, use the HP Color LaserJet 8500 PS printer driver. For prints larger than 11 x 17, use the HP DesignJet T7100ps PS3 printer driver.
Additionally, install the Word and Excel providers when installing ProjectWise InterPlot Organizer by selecting the Specifications feature. (The Specifications feature is installed by default).
Which PDF creator application should you install?
Ghostscript (32–bit version) works well with ProjectWise InterPlot Organizer’s Word and Excel providers, and it is the recommended choice for the PDF creator application.
Is it possible to send notifications via email when a job completes?
Yes, you can configure notifications during the install process or via the Projectwise Dynamic Composition Server Administrator. Email notifications can also be sent when running a job from the Projectwise Client by turning the option on in the user settings.
Can I migrate my jobs from old distribution to the new DCS for PDF?
It is recommended that you recreate your jobs as some of the settings have changed from the old system to the new system
How can I load balance the system?
You can run the Configuration Wizard any time after installation if you need to change any of the settings for number of processors, by going to the Windows Start menu and selecting Programs > Bentley > ProjectWise V8i (SELECTseries 4) > Dynamic Composition Server for PDF > Dynamic Composition Server for PDF Configuration. Additionally, There are process management features available for each processor and dispatcher in the orchestration instance. To review or edit the values of these features, right-click on a particular dispatcher or processor, select Properties, then click the Process Management tab on the Component Properties dialog.
Can I run on demand jobs from a client machine?
Yes (if enabled) a user can right click a document and choose Create Renditions then place a check in the box for “send e-mail notification on completion.”
Is it possible to just distribute files without creating renditions?
If necessary you can also use Dynamic Composition Server Administrator to run “distribution only” jobs — that is, jobs that do not generate renditions, but only copy source files from one folder to another.
Where can I get a custom connector created for connecting to a different DMS?
Bentley Professional Services can create custom connectors for connecting between Projectwise and a different Document Management System.
What happened to the InterPlot Archive?
Since DCS now uses MicroStation and post script printers as their print engines, there is no longer a need for InterPlot Archive.
How often can you run jobs?
Once every 30 minutes. You were allowed to run it less then this in Distribution Services however it would never work properly.
How do we restrict users from running jobs?
In the [RenditionWebServices] section in the dmskrnl.cfg on the Integration Server you can set Allow/Denies for users running from the client.
Can we use Multiple processors now?
Yes, back in Distribution Server multiple processors never fully worked due to various TRs. DCS now handles multiple processors well, so running multiple processors is definitely recommended for better performance.