Open dialog box

Used to open an existing DGN file or a file of a different type as the active DGN file. Opens when File > Open is chosen.

Open dialog box

MicroStation stores a thumbnail image in each DGN file that can be seen in the file open dialogs as well as Windows Explorer (the latter in versions of Windows that support this functionality). The thumbnail image is saved as a bitmap in standard clipboard format.

The configuration variable MS_THUMBNAIL can be used to control the behavior of thumbnail generation. If this variable is not defined, MicroStation looks for a saved view called “Preview,” and if found uses that saved view's settings (model, orientation, render mode, etc.) to create the thumbnail. If the variable MS_THUMBNAIL is defined, MicroStation takes whatever the variable is set to and looks for a saved view of the same name. If the specified saved view name cannot be found, then the system will create/update the thumbnail image using the lowest numbered open view (for example, if views 4-8 are open, view 4 is used).

The latter also occurs if MS_THUMBNAIL is not created and if the saved view called "Preview" does not exist in any design or sheet model in the DGN file. If MS_THUMBNAIL is set to "NONE", then no new thumbnail is generated. If a thumbnail already exists in the DGN file, setting MS_THUMBNAIL to "NONE" does not remove what already exists in the DGN file, it simply does not update what already exists.

Files

Shows the name of the file that is selected in the Files list box, or you can key in a filename. The Files list box lists the name of the existing files in the directory. Double-clicking a filename in the list box selects the file.

Name

Shows the name of the file that is selected in the Files list box; or you can key in a filename.

To bypass the Directories list box, you can key in a complete path specification for a file in the Name field.

Filter strings such as *.XYZ may also be keyed into the name field to limit the files displayed in the Files list box.

Directories

Lists the directories for selection. The Directory field identifies the selected directory.

Cancel

Closes the dialog box without opening a DGN file.

OK

Opens the selected DGN file.

If the filename in the Name field is the same as the name of an existing file, an alert box asks if you want to overwrite the existing file.

If a DGN file is already active, it is closed before the newly selected DGN file is opened.

List Files of Type

Sets the type of file to open.

Type	Filter	Causes to be displayed in list box
CAD Files	*.dgn, *.dwg, *.dxf	MicroStation DGN files, AutoCAD Drawing Files [*.dwg] and AutoCAD ASCII DXF Files [*.dxf]
DGN	*.dgn	MicroStation Design Files [*.dgn]
Cell	*.cel	Cell Files [*.cell]
Sheet	*.sht	Sheet Files [*.s*]
Hidden Line	*.hln	Hidden Line Files [*.h*]
DWG	*.dwg	AutoCAD Drawing Files [*.dwg]
DXF	*.dxf	AutoCAD ASCII DXF Files [*.dxf]
CGM	*.cgm	Computer graphics metafiles (CGM) [*.cgm]
Redline	*.rdl	Redline Files [*.rdl]
TriForma Document	*.d	TriForma Document Files [*.d]
All Files	*.*	All files, regardless of format [*.*]

Drives

Sets the source or destination drive.

Read-Only

If on, the file is opened in a read-only state. In MicroStation, the disk icon located in the lower right corner of the application window that normally indicates the need to save your work will appear with a large red X indicating the read-only status of the file.

Show File Icons

Displays icons next to the filenames in the Files list box above.

There are unique icons for the following types of files:

• V8

• V7

• DWG

Glyphs at the corners of icons indicate certain file properties:

Glyph	Corner	File Property
folded corner	upper left	2D (the file contains only 2D models)
ribbon	upper right	digitally signed (applicable to V8 DGN files only)
lock	lower right	protected (applicable to V8 DGN files only)

DWG Options

Opens the DWG Open Options dialog box. In this dialog box, you can set the options to use when opening a DWG file or a DXF file. See Working with DWG Files.

To enable this button, you must choose one of the following from the List Files of Type option menu and highlight a .dwg or .dxf file:

• CAD Files [*.dgn, *.dwg, *.dxf]

• AutoCAD Drawing Files [*.dwg]

• AutoCAD DXF Files [*.dxf]

• All Files [*.*]

File menu > < DGN_file>

See File History.

Directory menu > Select Configuration Variable

Opens the Select Configuration Variable dialog box. Use this dialog box to change the directory of files listed in the Files list box by selecting a configuration variable whose definition points to a different directory.

Select Configuration Variable dialog box

• List box
— Lists path and directory configuration variables for selection.

• OK
— Accepts the selected configuration variable and closes the dialog box. The directory whose files are listed in the Files list box in the Open dialog box changes to the directory specified in the configuration variable definition.

• Cancel
— Closes the dialog box without changing the directory.

Directory menu > Current Work Directory

Changes the directory whose files are listed in the Files list box to the current directory.

Directory menu > <directory_name>

The last directories that were opened are listed in the Directory menu.

The desired directory can be chosen from the menu.