MicroStation V8 Printing

Beyond the Basics

Presenter: Michael Eyre

San Diego Bentley Users Group Presents

MicroStation Printing

• What printing files are available?

• Print drivers (.plt) Basic Settings to Interface with the Printer

• Pen Tables (.pen or .tbl) More advanced options for resymbolization

• Configurations Files (.ini or .cfg) A file to pull everything together for future recall

Print Drivers

What options are available in the print driver? in the print driver?

• Default settings for styles, weights, and colorsDefault settings for styles, weights, and colors• Pen Records – Making a color printer become B&WPen Records – Making a color printer become B&W• The driver’s model = the output language (.pro files)The driver’s model = the output language (.pro files)• Sending output to a file or to a print queueSending output to a file or to a print queue• Size records control what paper sizes are availableSize records control what paper sizes are available• Edits done in a text fileEdits done in a text file

Pen Tables

What options are available in the pen table? in the pen table?

• Element processing order, the priorityElement processing order, the priority• Changing color, weight, style, or hiding the elementChanging color, weight, style, or hiding the element• Screening the elementsScreening the elements• Text SubstitutionsText Substitutions• Respecting or Ignoring Level SymbologyRespecting or Ignoring Level Symbology• Exploding CellsExploding Cells

Print Configurations

What are print configuration files for??

• To recall the previously used plot driverTo recall the previously used plot driver• To recall the previously used pen tableTo recall the previously used pen table• To recall other key settings (paper size, scale, etc)To recall other key settings (paper size, scale, etc)

Let’s Experiment

• I want to:• Scale a specific linestyle on a specific level

• Using the pen table to identify the proper element

• Change the print order of my filled shapes• Priority in action

• Screen existing elements• Insert the date/time/filename into the border

Best Practices

• How do I know where to put my customization?How do I know where to put my customization?• As with configuration variables, Bentley allows As with configuration variables, Bentley allows

customization anywherecustomization anywhere• Treat the .plt file as a Bentley system fileTreat the .plt file as a Bentley system file• Put customizations in pen tables – GUI is betterPut customizations in pen tables – GUI is better• Save .ini files for user convenienceSave .ini files for user convenience

Best Practices

Questions? Scenarios?

For more information on printing:

• MicroStation Help, Printing guide.• Microstation Workspace > Configuration, Printing category• Bentley discussion groups – http://discussion.bentley.com/ go to bentley.microstation.v8.plotting

SDBUG needs you!

• Meeting Minutes

• Future Topics / Presenters

• Next Featured Tool Segment?

San Diego Bentley Users Group

Thank you all for coming!