PDF Line Weight Inaccuracies
When comparing PDF files with different resolutions, the line widths in the resulting PDF files can vary. The following explains why this occurs.
A 'point' is 1/72 of an inch. This is the common unit of measurement in PostScript and PDF.
The printer…
Using Pen Table Multi-Field Text Substitutions
Typically when using the Text Substitution capability within a MicroStation Pen Table, only one replacement field is specified at a time. In order to allow for more flexibility, multiple replacement fields can be specified all at once. This is accomplished…
Find/Replace Paths in MicroStation Print Organizer Print Sets
When working with print sets (.PSET) in Print Organizer, the full path to the design file, pen tables, and design scripts are used. Sometimes the files that make up a print set are renamed or moved to another folder. This can cause problems when printing…
Preferences variables in Print Organizer
Let’s say you desire the ability to set all of the Preferences in Print Organizer to the same values for all of your users. You will need a listing of each of the MicroStation Printing variables associated with the Edit>Preferences option in Print Organizer…
Modify values in an existing Print Set
You can modify various output settings for existing Print Definitions that already exist in a Print Set. For example, if a Print Definition was created using 8.5” x 11” as the Paper Size and you now want your output to be 11” x 17”, double-click on the…
Extra lines extending to the edge of the plot (that are not in the design file)
Have you ever plotted a file and notice a single line or lines that extend to the edge of the plot (known as zingers) that are not in the design file?
This behavior can be caused by a bad element or elements in the design file. More than likely the…
MicroStation SS3 now allows the import/export of print styles
With the release of Microstation SS3, (8.11.9.292 or later), we now offer a way to import/export print styles from on DGN library or DGN file to another. This was added to aid users who have created print styles in DGN files thus finding their print styles…
Submitting MicroStation plot files to plotting devices
When using Bentley print drivers, you can print directly to the plotting device or print to file. When printing to file, the following methods are available to submit the MicroStation plot File to the plotting device:
1 – Copy command
The most basic…
MicroStation SS3 now supports Design Scripts
With the release of MicroStation SELECTseries 3, the Print dialog and Print Organizer interfaces now support using design scripts for print resymbolization. Design scripts were previously used in InterPlot in the IPLOT dialog and InterPlot Organizer interfaces…
Configuring Geographic Coordinates and PDF raster attachments
At times it is convenient to produce a PDF containing specific Geographic Coordinate System (GCS) data. This PDF could be attached later as a raster image (via Raster Manager) which contains that same GCS information. Here is a step-by-step process to…
Printing Enhancements for MicroStation SS3
The following features have been added to the printing system in MicroStation SS3:
3D PDF Property Publishing
You can now publish non-graphical business items to a 3D PDF document. These business items appear as objects in Adobe Reader's Model Tree…
Using MicroStation variables in border comments
Placing needful information in the border area of each of your plots can prove to be very useful. The name of the design file and/or the current date/time your plots are submitted can be printed on each plot.
For any of these options to work, the border…
Understanding Print Style Priority when multiple Print Styles are used in your workflow
MicroStation V8i SS3 always processes print styles in the following order.
Print styles assigned as default are always applied first when files are added to Print Organizer or when the Print dialog is opened. If you have multiple default print styles…
Improving PDF Quality
With the increased need for Portable Document Format files (PDFs), users may look for ways to enhance the quality of these documents. With MicroStation V8i, the ability to produce top quality PDFs is available.
By default, the MicroStation PDF printer…
MicroStation V8i Printer Driver Creation/Conversion
How do I create a new Printer Driver Configuration file that contains all the default properties?
Using the Printer Driver Configuration Editor, File > New Opens the Create New Printer Driver Configuration dialog, which is used to select the type…
How to include the filename extension in the plot file name
By default, when creating plot files using a MicroStation printer driver configuration file, only the name of the file is included when the plot file is generated. There may be a situation where you would like to include the filename extension as well…
What is the difference in the “Raster Quality Factor” setting and the “Rasterized Quality Factor” setting?
The Raster Quality Factor and the Rasterized Quality Factor settings are found in the PDF.pltcfg, Printer.pltcfg and the Pscript.pltcfg print driver configuration files.
In the Hpglrtl.pltcfg printer driver configuration file, the Raster Quality Factor…
Disabling/enabling Georeferencing and Measuring within PDF file created from MicroStation printing via PDF.PLTCFG
In MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 1), Bentley added the capability of creating a Georeferenced PDF and a PDF that can be measured.
By default, "Enable Georeferencing" is enabled in the printer Driver configuration file, but can be disabled for troubleshooting…
Opening Batch Print JOB files with Print Organizer
Print Organizer provides a seamless upgrade for Batch Print users. Legacy data created for the Batch Print utility such job set files are supported in Print Organizer.
Print Organizer's File > Open menu item can open a print set (.pset) file or a job…
How can I create a 3D PDF when printing with Property Publishing?
With the release of MicroStation V8i SS3 you can publish non-graphical business items to a 3D PDF document. These business items appear as objects in Adobe Reader’s Model Tree.
By default, business items are not included in the published 3D PDF document…
How can I combine the path to the design file name, date and time file into a single string inside of a MicroStation pen table?
By default a MicroStation pen table does not allow you to string variables together but via a named expression you can easily accomplish this.
First open .dgnlib file where you are going to store your named expression
From the pull down menus select…
Level and Reference overrides for Printing
MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 3) v08.11.09.292 and later provides a way to control level and reference output at print time. By default, both the Print and Print Organizer utilities output levels and references as they were last saved in the DGN file…
What’s the difference between a Fixed Print Definition and a Variable Print Definition?
The current release of Print Organizer in MicroStation Select Series 3 creates Fixed Print Definitions just like it always has. However, you now have the option to create Variable Print Definitions. The two types of Print Definitions are defined as follows…
Converting IPLOT settings files to MicroStation Print Styles
MicroStation SS3 allows Print and Print Organizer to attach IPLOT design scripts for plotting. This new feature opens the door for many InterPlot users to make the move to Print Organizer. While Print/Print Organizer does not accept IPLOT settings files…
Using MicroStation variables in Print border comments
Placing needful information in the border area of each of your plots can prove to be very useful. The name of the design file and/or the current date/time your plots are submitted can be printed on each plot.
For any of these options to work, the border…