Blogready552

Feedback from readers of 'Teach Yourself MicroStation/J' (TYMSJ) began coming in soon after the book was published in January 1999. A select collection of reader feedback from across the world-wide user-base of Bentley's MicroStation provides information on whether the book's content resonated with them, and when it did, what it was that resonated. That feedback is chronicled in this blog and is followed by a reprint of the book's Preface and a listing of the book's Table of Contents. Should you be interested in acquiring a reprint of any chapter from the book 'TYMSJ' for a $10USD fee, leave us a note on our Contact Us page.

• Buy Microstation Software
• Microstation Software Price
• Microstation Cad Software

Reader Feedback

'I had my 15 year old son read the Introduction to Teach Yourself MicroStation/J to give him an idea of what I lived through, also to inspire him with your documentary of the Bentley brothers. He is looking to follow an engineering career in the future, but had no idea what an engineering degree could do for him. You provided him with valuable insight into possibilities he had no idea existed. Thank you.'

'As we all prepare to make the transition from Computer Aided Drafting to Engineering Enterprise Modeling, we are truly fortunate to have an author and engineer of Ranjit's caliber to help lead the way.'

'Every MicroStation user, administrator, and programmer should read this outstanding book.'

'After finishing the chapter (Chapter 15: Fixing Corrupt Files), I wrote a couple of command files from the instructions and ran them on ten design files. The results? Outstanding!'

Pdf2cad generates scalable and editable CAD drawings for use in AutoCAD, UniGraphics, Microstation and other CAD, CAM and CNC systems. Convert PDF, EPS and AI into DWG, DXF and HPGL. Options for controlling layering, line. LibreCAD (originally QCad then CADuntu) is an open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. It is based on Qt, which is a leading cross-platform. Will not open.DGN file types. This is the standard file type for Microstation. Bentley is beta-testing MicroStation V5 on the Power Macintosh and will offer an upgrade program for users that want to run computer-aided design applications on a Mac or Power Mac Existing.

'Ranjit Sahai is an excellent author. His publications are very well written and I am looking forward to reading Teach Yourself MicroStation/J.'

'In Teach Yourself MicroStation, Ranjit expertly communicates all facets of MicroStation, that can overwhelm the novice and expert alike, in a truly engaging manner. Being a programmer, I am particularly envious of those who will start their programming journey with this book. It will take months off their learning curve.'

'Teach Yourself MicroStation/J is clean, clear, succinct, and comprehensive. I've completed my first reading of the book. There is no question, it is the single most comprehensive text on MicroStation, let alone MicroStation/J.'

'I just received my autographed copy of Teach Yourself MicroStation/J. Thanks a million Ranjit for a wonderful book. I now call it my MicroStation Bible.'

'It is a very comprehensive edition well worth having for any MicroStation user. The CD offers several exciting features as I prepare lessons for senior classes. I am very thrilled to be ahead of the pack so to speak.'

'I am thoroughly enjoying Teach Yourself MicroStation/J. Thanks for working so hard to produce quality educational books for the MicroStation community!'

'Great book! Ranjit's very clear explanations of the concepts and tools of MicroStation/J make this book a valuable resource for every MicroStation professional.'

'Though Teach Yourself MicroStation/J is mainly aimed at the beginner, it has enough to offer the experienced user. It provides an excellent introduction to programming MicroStation. For most MicroStation users it will fulfil all their documentation needs, and it contains more knowledge than most power users will ever gain.'

'I really enjoy Teach Yourself MicroStation/J. I've learned a lot from it.'

'I use Teach Yourself MicroStation/J constantly. I rely on it heavily and use it daily.'

'I've read several chapters from Teach Yourself MicroStation/J, and I must say Ranjit, you're an expert!'

'In the past, I've never acutally had a good grasp of MDL programming. After reading your articles I was able to make some sense of the process and can now edit and recompile existing code. Thank you!'

'Ranjit, you have written a lot of very good articles over the years. I've learned a lot from you - thanks.'

'I have been using MicroStation for nearly as long as you but recently purchased a copy of your Teach Yourself MicroStation/J and have since learned much more. Thank you for a great book.'

'Ever since we began carrying Teach Yourself MicroStation/J for the UK market, its sales have far exceeded our expectations overtaking those of other MicroStation books by a wide margin.'

'Teach Yourself MicroStation/J is a comprehensive and straightforward manual perfect for anyone using Bentley's home use license. The home use license program allows users to develop new techniques, this manual provides good information to utilize them.'

Preface to Teach Yourself MicroStation by Ray Bentley

Over the last dozen years, MicroStation has evolved from a relatively simple drafting program to become a mission-critical platform for the creation of design information for large engineering projects throughout the world. The introductory chapter of Teach Yourself MicroStation/J does an outstanding job of chronicling this evolution. With the release of MicroStation/J, and the impending delivery of ProjectBank and Engineering Component Modeling, we are poised to make a more revolutionary step with benefits that far exceed those realized when computers first replaced the tee-squares and drafting boards.

I have reviewed the manuscript of Teach Yourself MicroStation/J and am truly impressed with the attention to detail, and the breadth of coverage it provides. It takes new users by the hand and teaches them basic concepts through step-by-step exercises. It addresses the needs of CAD administrators with detailed information on everything from translation to standards implementation. Teach Yourself MicroStation/J can also serve as a corporate programmer?s introduction to all the programming interfaces in MicroStation, including JMDL.

The author, Ranjit S. Sahai, a professional engineer, has been authoring MicroStation texts since 1992. His knowledge of MicroStation, versatility as a writer, and experience as a workshop leader and trainer at Bentley FORUMs is clearly evident throughout the book. As we all prepare to make the transition from Computer Aided Drafting to Engineering Enterprise Modeling, we are truly fortunate to have an author and engineer of Ranjit's caliber to help lead the way.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Object Revolution

Ch. 1: Getting to Know MicroStation

Ch. 2: Your First Drawing Session

Ch. 3: The MicroStation Environment

Ch. 4: Mastering View Control

Ch. 5: Drawing and Editing Elements

Ch. 6: Referencing External Files

Ch. 7: Generating Output

Ch. 8: Mastering AccuDraw

Ch. 9: Dimension Driven Design

Ch. 10: Linking Nongraphic Data to Elements

Ch. 11: 3D Modeling and Rendering

Ch. 12: Using Web Links and Tools

Ch. 13: The Engineering Configurations

Ch. 14: Setting Drafting Standards

Ch. 15: Fixing Corrupt Files

Ch. 16: Exchanging Drawings with Archive

Ch. 17: Understanding Workspaces

Ch. 18: Translating Drawings

Ch. 19: Setting User Preferences

Ch. 20: Creating Custom Resource Data

Ch. 21: Creating Cells

Ch. 22: Using the Clipboard, OLE, and DDE

Ch. 23: The User Command Language

Ch. 24: Creating Macros In MicroStation BASIC

Ch. 25: Developing MDL Applications

Ch. 26: Programming In JMDL

Index

The Bonus CD accompanying the book includes:

Buy Microstation Software

• Exercise files and cell libraries
• Source code for many programs
• Demos of source code editors: Multi-Edit by American Cybernetics, Inc. and Visual SlickEdit by MicroEdge, Inc.
• RS Tools LE, an MDL toolbox for 2-click operation of common drafting tasks

There is no doubt that the Mac’s world is better, but our doubts for moving were always: and what do I do with AutoCAD?

Who would have believed it, when, after 1994 AutoCAD R13c42b was the last version we saw half running on PowerMacintosh. 18 years later AutoCAD returns for Mac. Just this year it is also separated from Linux.

What happens is that Mac instead of dying in an exclusive niche where there is no competition for choice (Charts) has grown in hardware at a level of impressive acceptance. Nobody doubt about Mac technology, we will hesitate about a couple of stupid things that from time to time are attributed to Steve Jobs, but Apple’s strategy has been to launch excellent products, like the case of the Ipod, Iphone and now Ipad that with everything and criticism, those who understand about usefulness know it is a platform on which to build graphical applications, not a phone in corn flakes box-size.

In the AutoDesk’s case, despite being the largest in the CAD environment in terms of market position, with just tickles made by competitions like Microstation, IntelliCAD, DataCAD and ArchiCAD, beyond the Civil environment has been very successful in the animation field and industrial design in recent years. Products like Maya are a luxury, for example.

In this case, AutoCAD is not in the position of that time. There, when it left dressed in white the Apple line, AutoCAD was fighting for the land wanted by Powerz and ArchiCAD that continued with Mac. It did not want distractions while engaged in buying Softdesk and Autoarchitect wanting to do something more than lines, areas in which Intergraph was already strong (not in numbers but in astral smoke).

And what does AutoCAD win going to Mac.

Elementary, my dear Watson. Working with Mac would exploit better the resource than being struggling with the PCs memory that is no longer for more. The 10 reasons given by AutoDesk for testing AutoCAD for Mac are based on that, hence the hurry for us to spend all to 64-bit PC and suddenly to Mac, because there it performs better the Monster’s can.

We are aware that the sharper I-mac will not come in the short term to have a higher proportion than they now have in respect to PC. But it can overcome them-and it already does-, with mobile devices. Also, be aware, if a technology is going to die, surely it must be a PC, that is from no one and not Mac which is Apple’s property. Although, desktop’s users will not die.

So go for Mac AutoDesk, partly because of the CAD application users’ niche that so many days ago called for it and partly for seeking space with applications for viewing / animation. While there are not moving, certainly it is seeking to position with mobile devices and other gadgets that are in the white oven; we talk about applications for iPhone and iPad, for which all CAD platforms partners are building prototypes.

Differences and similarities

AutoCAD 2011 for Mac has almost the same features as for the PC. With basic differences such as:

• Interface and the dubious Ribbon does not come as well but are adapted to Mac-style paddles.

• In addition to take advantage of all gestured juggling from the white magic mice.
• For some strange reason the routines are not entered when AutoCAD came out, that came with AutoDesk. I refer to the layers’ group management, layers filter and sheet set, underlay, those which in these earlier versions saved us the world at printing time. Although surely they will come in the next version.
• Neither comes with support for importing dgn, export to pdf or dwf.
• Obviously, it won’t run adjustments specific to Windows, like Visual Basic for Applications, OLE Objects or Media Audio. This is a great disadvantage if developments have been worked here, but those that are constructed with AutoLisp (minus DCL) do run and also most run on ObjectARX.
• It will not run on 32 bits, only 64. And it requests 3 GB of RAM, but for not falling short it recommends 4 GB.
• In terms of format support, it will endure from R14, 2000, 2004, 2007 and 2010. And if anyone wants to see how a brontosaurus egg is, you can do save as to dxf R12. Again, it doesn’t read dgn.

There is a trial version for 30 days.

AutoDesk has arranged for free download a version of 30 days to test. In addition to educational institutions there is always the option of licensing for this purpose. Then it can be get from zero, which goes for about $ 4,000 or migrate from an earlier version by paying only a cost of transfer.

They are also opening the door to be installed on two machines themselves. Like having an installation on the Office PC and one in the laptop; this will like everyone; but it seems that without doing a checkout as with MicroStation.

They have not said that other applications will go to Mac, for now is only the drawing board. But I can assure that the following application is Maya and Inventor. In particular, I find a great AutoDesk’s step towards a niche that moves a lot of money and had been neglected for 18 years. There have already been announced Mac compatible versions:

• In animation: Inventor, Maya, 3ds Max, Alias, Mudbox, Sketchbook.
• In construction: Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, Revit MEP

Microstation Software Price

As someone said in a forum, news is also good for those who use Linux, because possibly in 18 years we will have a distribution for Ubuntu.

Here you can download the trial version.

And there are more information and videos here.

Microstation Cad Software

Will there be Microstation for Mac?

It gave me pleasure to see in the Be Inspired a navigation prototype with a Ipad. But I don’t believe so, but if they would had tried it, at this point would be well positioned in this niche.