MicroStation configurations




Understanding configuration variables

What are these things called configuration variables?
A configuration variable is a storage item that contains data which can change during the execution (launch) of MicroStation and is defined by the following syntax: [VARIABLE_NAME] [operator] [value] [# comment]

For example: MS_CELLLIST = d:/Production/Cells/

Where MS_CELLLIST is the variable_name
= is the operator
d:/Production/Cells/ is the value.


Are there different kinds of variables?
Sure thing....MicroStation access and uses a variety of variables, additionally, MicroStation and other programs may also access environment variables in your are set at the operating system level.


Where are the variables set?
MicroStation's variables are set via a number of cascading configuration files which are loaded in a very specific order when you launch MicroStation. Inside of each of these configuration files, you'll find dozens of variables directing MicroStation on where to look for specific files, specific folders and specific settings.


How can I view my variables?
There are a number of ways to view and determine what your configuration variables are including just opening any configuration file with a text based editor.

A simple example is the following snippet from a delivered project configuration file:


Ok, I've just looked at some of the variables and see some wierd syntax like <> and = . What's with that?
What you're seeing are things called configuration variable operators which define how MicroStation will process each variable.


Are those different than the %if and %endif things I see in msconfig.cfg?
Yep, those are preprocessor directives for processing the configuration files.


I've also seen something that looks like this: $(variable_name) and ${variable_name}. What are those?
Those are directives that allow you to refer to other pre-defined variables. Using this method can eliminate the need for creating new and possibly redundant variables and can also streamline how MicroStatio resolves variables.


Why are configuration variables in CAPS?
Although it's not a requirement, it allows the reader to view and locate them easier within the configuration files.


Why do some start with MS and others with _USTN?
The variables that start with MS will be seen in the dialog when you go Workspace > Configuration while the ones that start with an underscore ie: _USTN won't....well, by default anyway.


Sounds fishy. Can I do something so that I can see the _USTN ones?
Sure thing, just set this variable _USTN_DISPLAYALLCFGVARS = 1.


Wow! is there anything else you can share?
Yeah, to finish this article off, here's a little list of pointers to keep in mind:

Copy User Preferences and User Configuration Files to a new or different PC

This article targeted at experienced MicroStation users who are comfortable in working with Windows file browsers and MicroStation configuration files.

Please note that .upf file should be copied only if both the source and target PCs have the exact same release of MicroStation installed. Should this not be the case, the user preferences should be set on the new PC from scratch, in order to avoid any possible incompatibility.

Steps to Accomplish

Copying the User Preferences (.upf) file

  1. On source PC, open MicroStation with any file (please note the name of the user in MicroStation manager) and open  the key-in panel (menu Utilities->Key-in)
  2. Type the following key-in: $ % explorer $(_USTN_HOMEPREFS) - This will open Windows explorer showing the content of your user preferences folder
  3. Copy the content of this folder to a usb stick or to a networked folder, accessible by both PCs.
  4. Repeat point (1) and (2) on the Target PC
  5. CLOSE all instances of MicroStation but keep the Windows explorer window open.
  6. Delete the content of this folder and replace it with the data saved on the usb stick or in the networked folder at point (3)

Copying the User Configuration (.ucf) file:

  1. On source PC, open MicroStation with any file (please note the name of the user in MicroStation manager) and open the key-in panel (menu Utilities->Key-in)
  2. Type the following key-in: $ % explorer $(_USTN_USER) - This will open Windows explorer showing the content of your User folder
  3. Copy the .ucf file corresponding to the User name noted at point (1) of previous procedure to a usb stick or to a networked folder, accessible by both PCs
  4. Repeat point (1) and (2) on the Target PC and copy the .ucf file just copied in the source PC user folder.

When you restart MicroStation you should see the old "User" available in MicroStation Manager. If you haven't changed any variables and are using an unchanged "untitled" user, then you do not need to carry out the procedure above.

Configuration Variables In MicroStation V8

Overview

This technical Document provides a description of the variables in MicroStation V8 (2004 Edition, V8.0 and V8.1)

This table lists the new variables available only in the MicroStation V8 2004 Edition. For other variables available in the MicroStation 2004 Edition as well as all variables available in MicroStation V8.0 and V8.1 see the second table on this page.

Configuration
_USTN_CAPABILITY _V7 Defines one or more capabilities in V7 workmode that are to be restricted. See MicroStation 's documentation for a full list of features and capabilities.
_USTN_CAPABILITY_DGN Defines one or more capabilities in DGN workmode that are to be restricted.
_USTN_CAPABILITY Defines one or more capabilities in MicroStation that are to be restricted.
Database
MS_ORACLEPREFETCH Specifies the number of rows pre-fetched from the database, maximum 65535. For example if MS_ORACLEPREFETCH is set to 1000, there will be 1000 rows of data returned to the client and cached. If this configuration variable is not set, one row is pre-fetched. Setting MS_ORACLEPREFETCH can result in improved query performance over high latency networks, such as Wide Area Networks (WANs).
Data Files
MS_CUSTOMSHEETSIZEDEF Defines the location of the sheetsizes definition file that can be used when creating sheet models.
MS_CUSTOMSCALEDEF Defines the location of the scales definition file that can be used when creating models.
MS_REMAP_CSVFILE If this configuration variable points to a remapping comma separated value (CSV) file, the remap filter defaults to that file for the remapping during the Save As operation.
Design History
MS_DESIGN_HISTORY_COMMIT_ON_SAVE Specifies if the File>Save (^S) command should commit changes to design history. Possible values:
  • 0 - Save command should save changes to the design file but should not commit changes to design history or prompt the user. The default is 0 (do not prompt or commit).
  • 1 - Save command should prompt the user, offering the chance to commit changes to design history with a description.
  • 2 - Save command should quietly commit changes to design history without prompting the user and without a description.
MS_DESIGN_HISTORY_COMMIT_ON_CLOSE Specifies if changes should be committed to design history before closing the file. Possible values:
  • 0 - Close command should save the changes to the design file but should not commit changes to design history or prompt the user. The default is 0 (do not prompt or commit).
  • 1 - Close command should prompt the user, offering the chance to commit changes to design history with a description.
  • 2 - Close command should quietly commit changes to design history without prompting the user and without a description.
MS_DESIGN_HISTORY_OWNERSHIP_WARNING Specifies if the user should be prompted to confirm when opening a file that contains changes made by another user and not yet committed. Possible values:
  • 0 - Open the file without prompting for confirmation The default is 1(prompt).
  • 1 - Prompt for confirmation before opening the file.
MS_DESIGN_HISTORY_COLORS The colors to use when identifying changed elements. The value must be a list of four color numbers, in the following order added, deleted, changed and pre-changed. Each color number must be a menu color index value. The default is: 2 4 1 3.
MS_DESIGN_HISTORY_REVISION_NUMBER_FORMAT Specifies the how to display a revision number. The syntax is:

formatClause := { [ "[" range "]" ] msgFormatPattern }+
range := start [,end]
msgFormatPattern := string [ "{" msgFormatElement "}" string ]*
msgFormatElement := argument [ "," elementFormat ]
elementFormat := "number" | "letter" [ "," letterStyle ]
letterStyle := { "uppercase"|"lowercase"|"AA"|"AB"|{"omit" letter}* }+ The default is {0}.{1}
Dimensioning
MS_ANNOTATIONSCALEPROPAGATION Will turn off the message box if the annotation scale is changed with the following settings:
  • PROMPT (default) Will display the prompt dialog.
  • ALWAYS Will make the change and not display the dialog.
  • NEVER Will not make the change and will not display the dialog.
MS_NOTEAUTOUPDATE Will control what will be propagated from the style if the style is changed. The following list will not be changed when the style is changed unless you set to "all" or set each of the below all separated by a comma. If not set the only way to change the note properties is with the Change Text tool. The default is off.
  • ALL
  • TEXTROTATIOM
  • HORIZONTALATTACHMENT
  • EDITABOUT
  • HORICONTALJUSTIFICATION
  • VERTICALLEFTATTACHMENT
  • VERTICALRIGHTATTACHMENT
MS_DIMLEGACYPOINTORDER If set to 1, the dimensioning tools will use the legacy datapoint sequence for placing linear and angular dimensions (ie., StartPoint - ExtensionPoint - EndPoint) instead of the current datapoint sequence (ie., StartPoint - EndPoint - ExtensionPoint).
DWG
MS_DWG_PRE2004_COLOR_TABLE Sets the color table for DWG files in MicroStation. In version 2004, AutoCAD began displaying indexed colors with a slightly different (generally lighter) colors. MicroStation also uses these new colors unless this variable is set.
MS_DWG_CREATE_SEPERATE_SHEETS If set, if a DGN contains sheet models, the sheet models are saved to separate DWG files with the file name created by appending the model name to the original file name. If not set, the sheets are saved to separate layouts within the DWG file.
MS_DWG_VPORT_LAYER_FROM_CLIP Defines the viewport level in DWG files. Viewport entities are represented as reference attachments in MicroStation - the viewport level is extracted from the reference attachment. If no level is set for the reference attachment then by default the viewport is assigned to layer 0 . However, if this variable is set and a clip element is present, then the viewport layer is extracted from the clip element.
MS_DWG_VPORT_MAP_LOCATE_OFF_TO_LOCKED If set, the Display locked status of a viewport entity is mapped to the Locate setting of the reference attachments that represent this viewport. In this case, a viewport with Display locked off will have Locate turned off - and changing the Locate status of the reference attachment will change the Display Locked status of the viewport.
MS_DWG_DISCARD_INVALID If set, entities that are outside the DGN design plane are discarded and will not be written back to the DWG file on the next file save. If the variable is not set, MicroStation ignores these entities.
MS_DWG_LEADER_HOOKLINE If set, an inline elbow is displayed on notes.MicroStation allows a note to be placed without an inline elbow (a hook line in AutoCAD) when the inline toggle is unchecked, but AutoCAD does not. This type of note (for instance, a leader without a hook line) saved to DWG will retain correct graphical presentation, and will operate properly in AutoCAD.
MS_DWGINSERTLAYER Specifies the layer to which normal (unshared) cells and reference attachments are assigned when saving the open DGN file in DWG format. If this configuration variable is not defined, layer 0 is used.
MS_DWGOMITUNIQUEEXTENSION If more than one file with the same name is present in the same directory, appends the extension to the output filename when saving the file.
MS_DWG_LSTYLE_FONTPATH Determines the location for the font file.
MS_DWG_LSTYLE_FONTNAME Determines the name of the font file (and therefore the name of the font).
Extensions
MS_FEATURE Path to directory that contains MDL applications for Feature Modeling.
MS_MODELER Path to directory that contains the MDL application MSMODELER which implements base functionality for Feature Modeling.
MS_DWG_OBJECT_APP Lists Object Enabler MDL applications to be loaded. It is currently set to use applications that enable Architectural Desktop and AutoPlant objects (AdtDirectApp and RebisDirectapp). Users should not need to change this setting.
MS_DWG_PROXYSHOW This variable controls the display of proxy objects within a DWG drawing. It is analogous to the AutoCAD registry setting "PROXYSHOW". Possible settings include 0 - no graphics, 1 - complete graphics and 2 - bounding box display only. The default setting is 1.
MS_DWG_LWDEFAULT Controls the width of the default lineweight and is analogous to the AutoCAD registry variable "LWDEFAULT". The default value is 0 for unweighted default lines. valid LWDEFAULT values are 0, 5, 9, 13, 15, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 53, 60, 70, 90, 100, 106, 120, 140, 158, 200, 211.
MS_PROCESSEXCEPTIONLOG : It is used too limit the number (and consequently the size) of the exception.log file.
File Saving
MS_V7AUTOSAVE Determines the frequency, in seconds of the auto-save timer for V7 format files. For example, If set to 300 (the default), an auto-save will occur approximately 5 minutes after the first change to the design. The minimum value is 30 seconds.
MS_V7AUTOSAVE_NODIALOG V7 format files take far longer than V8 format design files to save. Therefore, by default MicroStation displays a dialog box allowing the user to defer the auto-save operation. If this configuration variable is set, this dialog is skipped and auto-save occurs automatically.
MS_V7BACKUPV8 If this variable is set when working on a V7 DGN file, MicroStation will automatically create a backup file in V8 format every time you save. This provides a fallback in cases where you inadvertently create information that cannot be represented in the V7 format. This variable specifies a "template" that is used to create the backup filename. If you simply set the value to 'true', a file in the same directory as the original with the extension '.v8' is created.
MS_DWGAUTOSAVE Determines the frequency, in second of the auto-save timer for DWG and DXF format files. For example, If set to 300 (the default), and auto-save will occur approximately 5 minutes after the first change to the design. The minimum value is 30 seconds.
MS_DWGAUTOSAVE_NODIALOG DWG and DXF format files take far longer than V8 format design files to save. Therefore, by default MicroStation displays a dialog box allowing the user to defer the auto-save operation. If the configuration variable is set, this dialog is skipped and the auto-save occurs automatically.
Levels
MS_MERGE_DISPLAYEDLEVELSONLY When set, only the displayed levels will be merged when saving to V8 or DWG.
MS_LEVEL_EDIT_ATTRIBUTE_LIST This variable controls the list of reference or library level-attributes that can be edited The attributes can be one or more of the following as a comma separated list : OverrideSymbology, OverrideColor, OverrideStyle, OverrideWeight, ByLevelSymbology, ByLevelColor, ByLevelStyle, ByLevelWeight, GlobalDisplay, GlobalFreeze, Lock, Plot. Each of the above attributes can take a "Reference" or "Library" prefix. Without the prefix, the said attribute will be editable for both reference & library levels.
See ** below When set to 1, reference attachment levels will not synchronize to an attached library.
MS_HIDE_LIBRARY_SOURCE_NAMES (this variable must be created) Hides the Level library name that is in brackets that proceeds the level name if set to 1.
MS_LEVEL_EDIT_NESTED_ATTACHMENT_LEVELS If defined, then allow editing of nested attachment levels.
MS_LEVEL_SEED_LEVEL_NAME If defined, then name of seed level. A new level inherits its properties from the seed level. If not defined, then the default level is the seed level.
MS_LEVEL_LOAD_ATTACHMENT_FILTERS If defined, then level-filers of reference attachment is loaded.
MS_LEVEL_CREATE_FROM_SEED_ATTRIBUTE_LIST This variable controls the list of level attributes that are copied from the seed level. (Ms_Level_Create_From_Seed_Attribute_List). The attributes can be one or more of the following as a comma separated list: OverrideSymbology, OverrideColor, OverrideStyle, OverrideWeight, ByLevelSymbology, ByLevelColor, ByLevelStyle, ByLevelWeight, GlobalDisplay, GlobalFreese, Lock, Plot.
MS_LEVEL_AUTO_SYNC_ATTRIBUTE_LIST This variable controls the list of level-attributes that will automatically synchronized when a file is opened. The attributes can be one or more of the following as a comma separated list: OverrideSymbology, OverrideColor, OverrideStyle, OverrideWeight, ByLevelSymbology, ByLevelColor, ByLevelStyle, ByLevelWeight, GlobalDisplay, GlobalFreeze, Lock, Plot. Each of the above attributes can take a "Reference" or "Library" prefix. Without the prefix, the said attribute will be synchronized for both Reference and Library levels.
Operation
MS_NATIVEMAINMENU If set to "0", menus that are larger than the screen size no longer function as they did in MicroStation/J. Top and bottom scroll arrows no longer appear and auto menu positioning no longer functions. If set to "1", Menus will appear correctly.
MS_MAINMENUDOCKINGBESIDE If set to a non-zero value, tool boxes and dockable dialogs may be docked alongside the main menu bar. If not set (default) or set to 0, MicroStation's main menu bar spans the entire width of the application window.
MS_IDLETIMEOUT If defined, specifies the number of minutes of inactivity to wait before exiting MicroStation. Minimum value is 30 minutes. A value of 0 means never exit, even when idle.
MS_COMPRESS_OPTIONS Set the values for individual items by alias. To turn an item on, precede the alias with a +. To turn an item off, precede the alias with a -. For example, +FONTS;-LEVELS will will delete unused fonts but leave unused levels. The special aliases ALL and DEFAULT can be used here. +DEFAULT means that any items not in the list should default to on; -DEFAULT means that any items not in this list should default to off. If this variable is set, it will override user preferences.
MS_POPUPDIALOGCLOSEDELAY Specifies the amount of time to wait before closing a popup dialog (Eg. the dialogs launched from the Primary toolbox).The value, specified in 1/60 second increments, should be a number between 0 (very little delay) and 120 (2 seconds).The default is 30 (1/2 second).
MS_FULLPATHINTITLEBAR When turned on, the full path of the current Design File is displayed in the main title bar.
Primary Search Paths
RDL_DIR Defines the location and/or extension of the Bentley Redline generated redline file that the Redline On tool searches for. Defaults to <ActiveFileName>.rdl in the same directory as the active DGN file.
DWGRDL_DIR Defines that location and/or file name appendage of the Bentley Redline generated DWG redline file that the Redline On tool searches for. Defaults to <ActiveFileName>_redline.dwg in the same directory as the active DWG file.
Print/Plot
MS_PLOTBORDER_TIME_FORMAT Changes the date and time format for printed outputs from Windows Regional Settings to another format. Set to v7.0 to use the v7.0 format.
MS_PLT_NORASTERTRANSPARENCY If defined, disables raster transparency settings when generating print files with drivers that do not support transparency (mainly postscript drivers). This prevents inflating the size of printed output, thus improving printing speeds.
MS_PLTMODELNAME Displays the name of the model from which the print is produced.
MS_PLOTDLG_DEF_PLTFILE If this variable is to a printer driver (.plt) filename, that printer driver will be loaded (instead of the last used printer driver) when you open the print dialog box.
MS_PLT_SYSPRT_PLTFILE If this variable is set to a fully-qualified print driver (.plt) filename, then this will be used instead of Printer.plt when Windows Printer is selected in the print dialog box.
MS_PLT_SYSPRT_DEFAULT_PRINTER Allows you to specify the printer name that is selected when a default system printer is opened.
MS_PLT_SYSPRT_DEFAULT_FORM Allows you to specify the form name that is selected when a default system printer is opened.
MS_PLT_SYSPRT_DEFAULT_TRAY Allows you to specify the tray name that is selected when a default system printer is opened.
MS_PLTFILES Default output directory for plot files, if the most recently used directory is not defined.
MS_PLTDLG_FORCEOUTDIR May be used to specify the output directory for plot files, if not specified in the .plt file or on the key-in command. This variable takes precedence over the most-recently-used directory stored in the user preference file.
MS_BATCHPRINT_LOGFILE Used to set the name of the batch printing log file.
MS_BATCHPRINT_ADD_ONLY_SHEET_MODELS If set to 1, Batch print will only add sheet models to the job set when the design file is added. The Default is 0.
MS_BATCHPRINT_ADD_ALL_MODELS if set to 0, Batch print will not add multiple entries, one per model, to the job set when the design file is added. The default is 1.
MS_BATCHPRINT_SETUPSYSPRT Can be used to control the behavior of the Batch Print Setup System Printer Dialog. The following values are recognized. PRNSELECT; (default) the icon invokes the Windows printer selection dialog. PAGESETUP; the icon invokes the Windows page setup dialog.
MS_PLT_USE_MRU_DEFAULTS The variable is a convenient way to disable use of most-recently-used default files and directories throughout the plotting system. Normally, MRU locations are used instead of configuration variables when Open or Save dialogs are presented. If this variable is set to '0' the configuration variable will always be used instead.
MS_PLTDLG_ENABLE_ORIENTATION The orientation control on the print dialog allows you to quickly reverse the X&Y values of the paper size record without having to edit the .plt file. This is necessary for printer.plt and helpful for some Postscript-to-PDF workflows, but not desirable for most HP/GL2 and HP/RTL workflows. To reduce confusion and prevent any accidental swapping of the X&Y sizes, the orientation control is disabled by default for Bentley Printer drivers. You may control this behavior by using the variable.

Valid values are:

  • 0 orientation is always disabled for Bentley drivers (default)
  • 1 orientation is always enabled for Bentley drivers.
NOTE: This variable does not apply to system printers.
MS_PLTDLG_PREVIEW_ORIENTATION By default, MicroStation displays the preview window with the same orientation as the design, regardless of the orientation of the paper size definition. This prevents you from having to twist your head when previewing landscape designs maximized to portrait-oriented forms. You can use MS_PLTDLG_PREVIEW_ORIENTATION to change this behavior, as may be desired when working with portrait designs and landscape forms.

Recognized values are:

  • DESIGN: the preview will use the orientation of the design (default behavior).
  • PAPER: the preview will use the orientation of the paper size definition.
  • LANDSCAPE: the preview use landscape orientation.
  • PORTRAIT: the preview use portrait orientation.

Note that if the preview is displayed in a different orientation than that indicated by the orientation radio button, then the preview display of 'rotate 90' will be reversed as well. This variable does not apply to system printers.
MS_PLT_PREVIEW_USABLEAREACOLOR specifies the color of the usable area rectangle in the preview window. If zero, the rectangle is not drawn. For legal values, see the description for MS_PENTABLE_DISABLECOLOR.
MS_PLT_PREVIEW_PRINTABLEAREACOLOR Specifies the color of the printer driver's printable area rectangle in the preview window. If zero, the rectangle is not drawn. For legal values, see the description for MS_PENTABLE_DISABLECOLOR.
MS_PLT_PREVIEW_PLOTBOXCOLOR Specifies the color of the print bounding box rectangle in the preview window. If zero, the rectangle is not drawn. For legal values, see the description for MS_PENTABLE_DISABLECOLOR.
MS_PLT_PREVIEW_PLOTFENCECOLOR Specifies the color of the print fence shape in the preview window. If zero, the shape is not drawn. For legal values, see the description for MS_PENTABLE_DISABLECOLOR.
MS_PLT_ENABLE_SCALE_CLIPPING If it is set to 0, the plot dialog does not reduce the plot fence or sheet size in order to accommodate the user-or-sheet-specified scale factor.
MS_PLT_ENABLE_AUTO_ROTATE If it is set to 0, the print dialog does not automatically change the plot rotation in order to achieve a best fit. This variable only applies to Bentley plotter drivers.
MS_PLT_ENABLE_PRESERVE_SCALE If it is set to 0, the plot dialog does not attempt to preserve the current plot scale when a new view, fence, or paper size is selected.
MS_PLT_ENABLE_AUTO_ORIENT If it is set to 0, the print dialog does not automatically change the paper orientation in order to achieve a best fit. This variable only applies to system printers.
MS_PLT_HONOR_SHEET_INFO The variable can be used to prevent the plot dialog from applying sheet attributes stored in the model when it creates a plot description. Normally, if sheet attributes are present, the plot will default to PlotArea=Sheet and the plot boundary is set automatically from the sheet. If this variable is set to 0, the print dialog acts as if there are no sheet attributes present.
MS_PLT_AREA_PRIORITY If it is set to 1, sheet definitions in the model take priority over the active fence. New fences are ignored when the print area mode is sheet. This is the default setting. If this variable is set to 2, the active fence takes priority over sheet definitions.
MS_PLT_FORM_SCALE_PRIORITY If it is set to 1, the default form scale specified in the .plt file is re-applied whenever the paper size changes. By default, the current print scale is preserved.
MS_PLT_MAX_ON_NEW_AREA If it is set to 1, the print size is automatically maximized when the print area is changed. This includes when a view number is selected or a fence is placed. By default, the current print scale is preserved.
MS_PLT_FIT_RASTER_REFS If it is set to 1, the print dialog includes raster references when computing the design range for the Fit print area modes. By default, it does not.
MS_PLT_AUTO_FIT_VIEW If it is set to 1 or 2, the print dialog automatically sets the print area mode to Fit Master or Fit All respectively when first invoked (and a fence or sheet is not defined). Otherwise, the print area mode is set to View.
MS_PLTDLG_KEEPVIEWFLAGSONFENCECHANGE When a new fence is placed, the print dialog obtains new view information from the view the fence was placed in, and resets the print attributes if the new fence view is different than the current print view. However, if MS_PLTDLG_KEEPVIEWFLAGSONFENCECHANGE is set, the print dialog will always preserve current print attributes.
MS_PLTDLG_WEIGHTOVERRIDE Can be used to set the print dialog's weight print attribute automatically to a value other than the one obtained from the view. This is may be desirable when plotting DWG files (which typically do not have weights turned on) with pen tables. The override is applied whenever print dialog settings are obtained from the view. The following values are honored:
  • 0: weight override is set; the print weight attribute is turned off regardless of the view setting.
  • 1: weight override is set; the print weight attribute is turned on regardless of the view setting.
  • VIEW: weight override is not set; the print weight attribute is obtained from the view setting.
  • PENTABLE: weight override is conditionally set; the print weight attribute is turned on if a pen table is attached that contains output width specifications. Otherwise, the attribute setting is obtained from the view. This is the default value when the variable is not defined.
MS_PLOTDLG_DEF_PENTABLE Defines a default pen table that is loaded when you open the Print dialog box.
MS_PLTDLG_SETUPSYSPRTICON Can be used to control the behavior of the 'Configure Windows Printer' icon on the print dialog. The following values are recognized:
  • PRNSELECT: (default) the icon invokes the Windows printer selection dialog.
  • PAGESETUP: the icon invokes the Windows page setup dialog.
MS_PLT_ENABLE_PAGESETUP_MARGINS If it is defined, the margins are enabled on the Windows Page Setup dialog. By default, the margins are disabled. This variable only applies to system printers not in fullsheet mode.
MS_PLTDLG_SETUPSYSPRT_ENABLE_PRINT Can be used to control the print behavior of the "Configure Windows Printer" icon on the print dialog. By default, the print button on the Windows Print dialog in this mode saves printer driver changes without submitting a plot. If this variable is set to 1, the print button will submit a plot (original MicroStation V8 behavior).
MS_PLTDLG_ENABLE_SAVE_CONFIG If it is set to 0, the print dialog save configuration menu items are disabled.
MS_PLT_SCALE_METHOD Determines how the print scale is displayed in the print dialog. This variable overrides the corresponding user preference. The following values are recognized:
  • 1: the scale display is paper-to-design format (default).
  • 2: the scale display is design-to-paper format. If this variable is not defined, the user preference controls the scale method. This variable also controls the appearance of MS_PLTSCALE_SHORT.
MS_PENTABLE_IMPORTEMPTYSECTIONS By default, during AutoCAD plot style table import, pen table sections which have no effect (the settings are default) are ignored. Setting this variable to 1 will cause empty sections to be created.
MS_PENTABLE_DISABLECOLOR A disabled section in a pentable is shown in medium gray by default. You can modify the disabled color by setting this configuration variable to one of these numbers: blue=1; red=4; magenta=5; light-gray=8; medium-gray=10; turquoise=13; dark-green=14; maroon=15; dark-yellow=17.
MS_PENTABLE_REGEX_LEVEL_COMPARE If is defined, regular expressions will be evaluated when comparing level names in the pen table.
MS_PENTABLE_SLOTNUM_MATCH_APPLIES_TO_CHILD By default, a pen table reference slot number match applies to both a parent reference and its children. If MS_PENTABLE_SLOTNUM_MATCH_APPLIES_TO_CHILD is set to 0, then the slot number match applies only to the parent reference.
MS_PENTABLE_IMPORTCTB_NOPENMAP By default, the pen table creates printer driver pen maps when importing CTB files. This permits proper color-to-width resymbolization of multi-colored elements. The legacy, element-output-action-based behavior may be restored by setting the MS_PENTABLE_IMPORTCTB_NOPENMAP configuration variable.
MS_PLTFILE_EDITOR Fully qualified name of a text editor to use for when File > Edit Printer Driver on the Plotdlg menu is activated. Setting this variable to HIDE_MENU_ITEM will prevent the File > Edit Printer Driver and the File > Reload Printer Driver menu items from being shown.
MS_PLNONAME If set, the RTL/PCL drivers will not insert the DGN name in the output file. Adding the DGN name should allow a printer to display the name in its front panel window, etc. but setting this variable will allow the feature to be disabled, since some printers cannot handle it.
MS_PLT_VIEWFLAGOFF_LINEWIDTHMM When the view flags have line weights turned off, all lines are drawn with the thinnest line available. However, as printer DPI has increased over the years, the thinnest line is getting too thin. Setting this variable allows you to set minimum line thickness in millimeters.
MS_PLT_INVERT_WHITE_COLORS The variable allows you to override the colors that are automatically inverted from white to black if necessary. If this variable is not defined, the default inverted color numbers are 0 and/or 7, depending on the drawing file format and color table. The syntax for this value is the same as a level number list, with range 0-254.
MS_PLT_OLE_MAX_MFB_SIZE When plotting OLE objects to non-system printers, MicroStation must render the object at device resolution into a memory frame buffer (MFB). By default, the MFB is limited to 4096 pixels in both width and height. This is approx.. 13x13" at 300 dpi, and consumes 48MB. If the paper size of the object is larger than 4096 dots, the MFB is scaled accordingly. That can reduce the sharpness of the image. For sharper plotted OLE objects at the expense of memory usage, processing time, and plot file size, you may set MS_PLT_OLE_MAX_MFB_SIZE. The valid range is 1024 through 16384 (units are pixels). This variable does not apply to system printers.
MS_PLT_FORCE_HARDWARE_TEXT If it is set to 1, some text that otherwise would be stroked in software is sent to the printer driver as hardware text. These conditions include rotated, slanted, mirrored, and vertical text. Note that it is likely the text will not be output correctly in these cases. Therefore, this variable should only be set if the text representation is more important than the text display.
Protection
MS_PROTECTION_LICENSE_ENABLE
  • Set to 0 to disable license creation.
  • Set to 1 to enable password licenses.
  • Set to 2 to enable certificate licenses.
  • Set to 4 to enable Everyone Licenses.
  • Set to 7 to enable all types of licenses.
  • The default is 7 (all types of licenses).
Reference
MS_REF_DEFAULTATTACHDIRECTORY If this variable is set, the reference attachment dialog defaults to this directory, rather then the directory of last attached reference.
MS_REF_DEFAULTSETTINGS This variable controls the default settings for reference attachments. It is set to a comma separated list of key=value pairs, for example:

snap=1, locate=0, truescale=1, scalelinestyles=0, Recognized keys and values include display=0|1, snap=0|1, locate=0|1, useLights=0|1, saverelativepath=0|1, scalelinestyle=0|1, ignorewhennesting=0|1, displayrasterrefs=0|1, displayboundary=0|1, nestmode=livecopynest, nestDepth=value, attachmethod=coincidentworld.
MS_REF_REATTACH_LEVEL_SYNC_ATTRIBUTE_LIST This variable controls the list of level-attributes that will synchronize when a reference is reattached. The attributes can be one or more of the following as a comma separated list:

OverrideSymbology, OverrideColor, OverrideStyle, OverrideWeight, ByLevelSymbology, ByLevelColor, ByLevelStyle, ByLevelWeight, GlobalDisplay, GlobalFreeze, Lock, Plot
MS_DISALLOWFULLREFPATH When set to 1, MicroStation does not save the full path to references. By default, MicroStation stores both an abbreviated (portable) path and the full path to references. The full path will be wrong if the directory structure for a project is changed or if a different file server drive letter is used, so it can cause inconsistent reference file location in those situations. Therefore, some sites prefer that the full path not be saved. (MS_DISALLOWFULLREFPATH)
MS_REF_NEWLEVELDISPLAY When set to 1, MicroStation displays newly created levels in references. By default, when new levels are created in a model that is referenced by another model, the new levels are not displayed when the referencing model is opened. Newly created levels are considered to be new until "Save settings" is performed. Recognizing new levels and controlling their display is only possible when using the MicroStation V8 file format for both the reference and the master file.
MS_NEST_COLORADJUSTMENT If not set, the color adjustment for the top level reference controls the color adjustment for all nested references. When set to any value, nested reference color adjustments at each level are multiplied to get the net adjustment. For example, with C attached to B with a saturation adjustment of 80%, and B attached to A with a saturation adjustment of 70%, C will display in A with a saturation adjustment of 56% if MS_NEST_COLORADJUSTMENT is defined, and with saturation adjustment of 70% if it is not.
MS_REF_DONTHILITEFORMANIP By default, MicroStation hilites all elements in a reference file when the reference is manipulated (move, rotate, scale, etc.) If MS_REF_DONTHILITEFORMANIP is set to any value, this hiliting is disabled. This can speed up reference manipulations, but it is more difficult to tell which references are getting manipulated.
Rendering/Image
MS_IMAGE_EDITOR Default program to be used to edit an image file. This program is activated by double-clicking in the preview area of the Map Editor dialog.
MS_MATERIAL_PREVIEW_BACKGROUND Image to be used for the background of material previews in the Material Editor.
MS_RENDERV7MATERIALS If set to 1, materials are rendered as they were in V7. Most affected are translucency, transparency, specularity, and diffuse as applied to pattern maps.
Security
MS_SECURITY_LEVEL This is the security level for loading and running application in MicroStation. Set to NONE to disable security checking. Set to LOW to allow any MDL or other applications to be loaded and used. Set to MEDIUM to allow only applications that are digitally signed by Bentley or by a certificate identified by MS_SECURTIY_SPC. Set to HIGH to allow only applications signed by Bentley. The default is NONE.
MS_SECURITY_SPC This is the path where MicroStation can find the Software Publishing Certificates that were used to digitally sign the applications that can be loaded in MEDIUM security level. The default is null.
Standards Checker
MS_STANDARDSCHECKER_SETTINGSFILE If this variable is set, the specified file is always is always used for Standards checking.
MS_STANDARDSCHECKER_SETTINGSNAME If this variable is set, the specified names settings are always used for Standards checking.
MS_STANDARDSCHECKER_OUT Default directory for Standards Checker.
MS_STANDARDSCHECKER_STYLESHEET If this variable is set, it specifies the XML Style sheet that is used to view the Standards Checker XML report. The variable can be either a file or URI (Universal Resource Identifier) that can be used by the browser to locate the style sheet. If this variable is not set, the XML Style sheet in $(USTN_WORKSPACEROOT)system\datat\standardschecker.xsl is used.
MS_STANDARDSCHECKER_APPS The list of MDL applications that are loaded when the Standards Checker is started.
VBA
MS_VBAV8TOV7FILTER Specifies the name of a VBA macro that sets up a translation filter when translating a DGN from V8 to V7 format.
MS_VBAV8TOV7DIALOG Specifies the name of a VBA macro that opens a dialog to collect information to be used in translating a DGN file from V8 to V7 format.

** - MS_LEVEL_DO_NOT_SYNCHRONIZE_ATTACHMENT_LEVELS_TO_DGNLIB

The table below lists other variables in the MicroStation 2004 Edtiton that are also available in MicroStation V8 versions 8.0 and 8.1.
All
_USTN_SYSTEMTABLES Specifies the root directory for system table directories.
_USTN_RASTERTABLE Specifies the location of the Units.ini file, used to upgrade MS/J Raster Manager projects to V8.
_USTN_CUSTOMIZEBASEID Specifies a base number at which Customize will begin generating ids for user-created resources. After this value has been set, Customize will not create any resources with a resource id lower lower than this value.
_USTN_RMGR_MAXFILEPTRS Specifies the maximum number of operating system file pointers that the Resource Manager will use internally to manipulate all its logical resource file handles. In version 5, this value was fixed at 6. Starting in version 5.5, the new default is 12 but can be overridden by this configuration variable.
PZIP_OUT Specifies the default directory for creation of Packager files.
MS_DATA Directory for data files created/used by MicroStation.
MS_OLDUSERLICENSE File containing old user license information. Necessary for an upgrade installation.
MS_USERLICENSE File containing user license information.
_DGNFILE Name of the current Design File. Not editable.
_DGNDIR Directory containing the current Design File. Not editable.
MS_CMDWINDRSC MicroStation command window resource file. If not defined, use default.
MS_GUIHAND Identifies auxiliary handlers.
MS_HELPLOAD_SERVER Specifies the root location of the Help content.
MS_HELPLOAD_APPLICATION Determines which application help is based on. Current options are HTMLHelp (default), or StaticWeb. StaticWeb refers to static HTML pages on a website.
MS_HELPPATH MicroStation help path
MS_RIGHTLOGICKB If set equal to 1, support typing from right to left. Used for foreign language support.
MS_RSRC Main MicroStation resource, typically set to "ustation.rsc".
MS_DGNOUT Directory containing design files created from "on the fly" translations.
_USTN_ALTCHARTRAN Alternate character translation table.
MS_DEFCHARTRAN Default character translation table.
MS_CODESET MDL application for handling multi-byte character sets.
MS_JAVA_SS Sets the maximum native stack size for any thread. This is similar to the "-ss" command line option to "java.exe".
MS_JAVA_OSS Sets the maximum Java/Jmdl stack size for any thread. This is similar to the "-oss" command line option to "java.exe".
CLASSPATH Search path used to find Java/JMDL classes.
MS_OPENDESIGNFILEFILTER If this variable is set, then MicroStation Manager and the Open Design File dialog will use the value as the initial filter. An example value is "*.*".
MS_SMARTSOLID The directory containing the SmartSolid subsystem.
Archive
MS_ARCHIVE Search path(s) for Archive Files.
MS_ARCHIVECLASS Search path(s) for Archive Class Files.
MS_KEYPAIRLIST Digital Signature KeyPair file list.
Cells
MS_CELL Search path(s) for cell libraries.
MS_CELLLIST List of cell library files to be searched for cells if not found in the current library. May contain wildcards.
MS_CELLSELECTORDIR Directory for Cell Selector button configuration (.csf) files.
MS_CELLSELECTOR Default Cell Selector button configuration file.
MS_CELLOUT Default directory when creating new cell libraries.
MS_MENU Cell library name for finding menu cells.
Colors
MS_DEFCTBL Default color table if the design file has none.
MS_RMENCTBL Default menu colors (dialogs, dialog borders, etc.) for the right screen. File specification pointing to a color table (.tbl) file.
MS_LMENCTBL Default menu colors (dialogs, dialog borders, etc.) for the left screen. File specification pointing to a color table (.tbl) file.
Configuration
MS_USERPREF_APPS Set by application configuration files to add user preferences to standard dialogs.
MSDIR The MicroStation root installation directory.
MSLOCAL Specifies the base directory path for where the required writable portions (i.e. local for a network install) of MicroStation are installed.
_USTN_DEFUSERINTNAME Subdirectory under "_USTN_USERINT" that actually contains the default user interface resource modification files.
_USTN_USERINTNAME Subdirectory under "_USTN_USERINT" that actually contains the user interface resource modification files,
_USTN_USERINTROOT Root directory containing product-specific interface directories.
_USTN_USERINT User interface data directory.
_USTN_PROJECTNAME MicroStation base project name.
_USTN_USERCFG MicroStation user configuration file name.
_USTN_USERNAME MicroStation base user name.
_USTN_USERDESCR Description of current user configuration.
_USTN_DEFAULTUSER_CFG_FILE Base name of the configuration file that holds the default user name.
_USTN_USER Directory containing MicroStation user configuration files.
_USTN_PROJECTCFG Name of project configuration file.
_USTN_PROJECTDESCR Description of current project configuration.
MS_USERPREF Name of user preference resource file.
_USTN_UIPATH Search path for user interface modification resources.
_USTN_PROJECTDATA Directory containing project-specific data.
_USTN_PROJECTSROOT Directory containing project-specific sub-directories.
_USTN_PROJECT Directory containing MicroStation project configuration files.
_USTN_DATABASE Directory containing MicroStation database configuration files.
_USTN_SITE Directory containing MicroStation site configuration files.
_USTN_APPL Directory containing MicroStation application configuration.
_USTN_WORKSPACEROOT Root directory containing all workspace files.
_USTN_SYSTEMROOT Directory containing system workspace files.
_USTN_SYSTEM Directory containing MicroStation system configuration files.
_USTN_DATABASECFG MicroStation database configuration file name.
_USTN_DATABASENAME Base name of current database configuration file.
_VERSION80 Indicates that the current product's version number is 8.x.
_PLATFORMNAME Short name of this platform. Useful for building platform-specific sub-directories.
_WORKDIR Directory where MicroStation was started.
_USTN_LICENSING Defines the location of product licensing folder.  
_USTN_HOMEROOT Defines the root location for Bentley product-specific data that is unique to a computer or workstation.
_USTN_HOMEPREFS Defines the location of home (or local) preferences.
_USTN_DOCUMENTATIONROOT Defines the root location for product documentation.
_USTN_CAPABILITY Defines one or more capabilities in MicroStation that are to be restricted.
_USTN_BENTLEYROOT Defines the root directory for Bentley product suite.
_USTN_WORKSPACEROOT Root directory containing all workspace files.
_USTN_PROJECTSUBDIRS List of subdirectories automatically created for a new project.
_ROOTDIR Location (directory) of the MicroStation executable.
_USTN_OUT Base directory for MicroStation output files.
_USTN_CHARTRAN Directory containing character translation tables.
_USTN_NEWDGNFILE List of MDL applications to be reloaded each time a new design file is opened, except when it is the first design file.
_USTN_FIRSTDGNFILE List of MDL applications that are loaded on startup after the user selects an initial design file.
_USTN_REQUIREDAPPS List of MDL applications that are required to be loaded while MicroStation is running.
_USTN_DISPLAYALLCFGVARS If set, all configuration variables (including those of the format _USTN_xxx) will be displayed.
_ENGINENAME The name of the Foundation Product (e.g., MicroStation).
_MICROSTATION Set if product is MicroStation.
_INTELNT Set if operating system is Windows.
_WINNT Set if operating system is Windows NT. (_winNT).
Database
MS_SESSION_DEBUG Used to start session debug prior to the loading of the database server. By setting this configuration variable, you can receive immediate debug information from the consumer DLL. MS_SESSION_DEBUG can be used with all the database servers. A value of 1 enables receipt of debug information from the database server and the corresponding DLL - ORACLE, ODBC, or OLEDB. A value of 0 enables receipt of debug information only from the DLL.
MS_ORACLE_HOME Set to establish where Oracle files are located. If the variable is not defined the system and registry are checked to find the Oracle home.
MS_DBASE Search path(s) for database files.
MS_UDLDIR Points to the directory, which contains the Universal Data Link files (.UDL). The .UDL files contain the connection strings to a particular data source. The default directory is ...\Bentley\program\microstation\database\oledb\udl
MS_SERVER_MDL Application to load the database server
MS_DBEXT The database server application server.
MS_LINKTYPE WARNING: This configuration variable is reset by the database configuration files. Changes should be made in the ODBC.cfg, the OLEDB.cfg or the Oracle.cfg files. The variable is the User data linkage types recognized by the server. The first one listed is the linkage type that will be created. Possible values are "DMRS", "ORACLE", "OLEDB", and "ODBC"
Data Files
MS_CUSTOMUNITDEF Defines the location of the unit definition file that can be used when upgrading pre-V8 files to V8 DGN files.
MS_HTMLDGNDIR Directory containing template design files used by the HTML Author to generate cell images for HTML documents.
MS_SETTINGS Current settings resource file.
MS_SETTINGSOUTDIR Directory used to create settings resource files.
MS_SETTINGSDIR Directory containing settings resource files.
Design History
MS_DESIGN_HISTORY Valid keywords: create, delete, commit, browse. Set keyword=1 to enable or 0 to disable. Separate multiple settings by ";" Default: MS_DESIGN_HISTORY=create=1;delete=0;commit=1;browse=1 Example: MS_DESIGN_HISTORY=delete=1. This allows users to delete design history
Engineering Links
MS_WEBLIB_HISTORY Specifies the history file for the Weblib shared library.
MS_BOOKMARKS_IMAGE Specifies the bookmark file for remote images
MS_BOOKMARKS_RSC Specifies the bookmark file for remote resource files.
MS_BOOKMARKS_ARCHIVE Specifies the bookmark file for remote archives.
MS_BOOKMARKS_CELL Specifies the bookmark file for remote cell libraries.
MS_BOOKMARKS_DGN Specifies the bookmark file for remote design files.
MS_REFAGENTDATA Specifies a file containing URL information for the Reference Agent.
MS_WEBKIOSKMODE Set to 1 for Kiosk mode.
MS_WEBTYPESFILE Specifies a file containing special handling instructions for various file types.
MS_WEBFILES_DIR Specifies the directory in which copies of remote files are stored.
MS_WEBDOWNLOADDIR Sets the directory in which WWW downloads are stored.
MS_BROWSERMAKECHILDWINDOW When set to 1, the current browser is reparented inside of the MicroStation main window, allowing the viewer to always be seen.
MS_USEEXTERNALBROWSER Set to Netscape or IExplore in order to use an external browser.
DWG
MS_DWG_COMMANDPREFIX This can be set to a character or string of characters that can be used as a shortcut to the AutoCAD key-in commands.
MS_DWGDATA Local directory to store DWG settings file.
MS_DWGSAVEAPPLICATIONDATA Changes have been made so that both linkage data and type 66 application elements can be saved from DGN to DWG. This data is also maintained within a DWG file. This variable is off by default and can be enabled by setting the MS_DWGSAVEAPPLICATIONDATA configuration variable. The application elements are stored as XRECORDS and the linkages as XDATA, although this implementation detail is transparent to DGN based applications.
MS_NO_DWG_BACKUP Enables/disables the creation of a backup.
MS_DWG_BACKUP Specifies the location of the backup file, if it is not set it will go the same folder as current DWG file
MS_DWG_CREATE_SPACE_FROM_EDF If set to 1 will cause empty edf's to be left as spaces.
MS_DWG_PGPFILE Used to locate the AutoCAD alias file for workstations that do not have an AutoCAD installation. If AutoCAD is installed, USTN will automatically locate the PGP file in the appropriate AutoCAD sub-folder.
MS_DWGFONTPATH Defines the path of AutoCAD fonts if AutoCAD is not installed.
MS_DWGSEED Defines the DWG seed file used when opening AutoCAD files.
MS_DWGPATFILE Defines full path file name containing AutoCAD Pattern definitions.
MS_ACADDIR Used to find DWG support files such as fonts.
MS_BLOCKLIST Defines the list of DWG/DXF files to be searched for AutoCAD blocks
MS_DWGREF_ALLOWMASTERCOLORS Defines how MicroStation uses color tables for DWG or DXF files attached as references. If not defined, DWG/DXF references are always displayed using the active reference file's color table.

If set to 1, the color tables for DWG or DXF references are handled as they are for DGN references; they are controlled by the Use Color Table setting (Workspace > Preferences > Reference category). When "Use Color Table" is on, the elements in each reference are displayed using the reference's color table. When "Use Color Table" is off, the elements in each reference are displayed using the active design file's color table. .
Extensions
MS_TEXT_AUTOSTACKFRACTIONS_ALIGNMENT Sets the alignment for stacked fractions, when the Fractions advanced text style setting is on. Values are:
  • 1 = Top
  • 2 = Center (Normal for DWG files. The default if the configuration variable is not defined.)
  • 3 = Bottom
MS_TEXT_AUTOSTACKFRACTIONS_TYPE Sets the type for stacked fractions, when the Fractions advanced text style setting is on. Values are:
  • 1 = Normal
  • 2 = Diagonal (Normal for DWG files. The default if the configuration variable is not defined.)
  • Normal Center
MS_TEXT_STACKFRACTIONS_SCALE The value is the percentage scale factor for stacked fractions. (70 is normal for DWG files, and is the default if this configuration variable if not defined.)
File Saving
MS_V7AUTOSAVE Determines the frequency, in seconds of the auto-save timer for V7 format files. For example, If set to 300 (the default), an auto-save will occur approximately 5 minutes after the first change to the design. The minimum value is 30 seconds.
MS_V7AUTOSAVE_NODIALOG V7 format files take far longer than V8 format design files to save. Therefore, by default MicroStation displays a dialog box allowing the user to defer the auto-save operation. If this configuration variable is set, this dialog is skipped and auto-save occurs automatically.
MS_V7BACKUPV8 If this variable is set when working on a V7 DGN file, MicroStation will automatically create a backup file in V8 format every time you save. This provides a fallback in cases where you inadvertently create information that cannot be represented in the V7 format. This variable specifies a "template" that is used to create the backup filename. If you simply set the value to 'true', a file in the same directory as the original with the extension '.v8' is created.
MS_DWGAUTOSAVE Determines the frequency, in second of the auto-save timer for DWG and DXF format files. For example, If set to 300 (the default), and auto-save will occur approximately 5 minutes after the first change to the design. The minimum value is 30 seconds.
Levels
MS_LEVEL_LIB_DIR Directory containing level data files.
MS_V7_LEVEL_NAME_PREFIX Prefix to apply to un-named Levels when a V7 file is converted to V8.
MS_V7TOV8_CSVNAME CSV File which controls how levels are mapped when a V7 file is converted to V8.
MS_V7TOV8_DELETE_UNUSED_LEVELS If set to 1, then all unused levels are deleted when a V7 file is converted to V8. This variable is ignored if "V7 to V8 Level CSV File (MS_V7TOV8_CSVNAME)" variable is set.
MS_LEVEL_SYNC_ATTRIBUTE_LIST Affects the "dgnlib update levels custom" & "reference synchronize levels custom" key-ins. This variable controls the list of level-attributes that will synchronize when any of the above key-in is executed. The attributes can be one or more of the following as a comma separated list : OverrideSymbology, OverrideColor, OverrideStyle, OverrideWeight, ByLevelSymbology, ByLevelColor, ByLevelStyle, ByLevelWeight, GlobalDisplay, GlobalFreeze, Lock, Plot Each of the above attributes can take a "Reference" or "Library" prefix. Without the prefix, the said attribute will be synchronized for both reference & library levels.
MS_REF_REATTACH_LEVEL_SYNC_ATTRIBUTE_LIST This variable controls the list of level-attributes that will synchronize when a reference is reattached. The attributes can be one or more of the following as a comma separated list : OverrideSymbology, OverrideColor, OverrideStyle, OverrideWeight, ByLevelSymbology, ByLevelColor, ByLevelStyle, ByLevelWeight, GlobalDisplay, GlobalFreeze, Lock, Plot.
MS_UPDATE_KEEP_UNUSED_LIBRARY_LEVELS Controls if unused library levels will be kept or deleted on a "dgnlib update levels" command. If is not set or set to "0" then unused library levels will be deleted on executing a "dgnlib update levels" command. If set to "1" then unused library levels will be kept.
MDL Development
MS_RDE_SYSINC Specifies text to be inserted at the beginning of the command line by the resource compiler DLM. This is generally used to specify where to search for include files.
MS_DBGSOURCE Used by the debuggers to find source code for JMDL classes and MDL applications.
MS_MDLTRACE If set to 1, additional debugging print statements will be provided when debugging MDL applications.
MS_DEBUGFAULT If set to 1, automatically invoke the debugger when a fault is detected while an MDL application is active. This works regardless of whether or not the application's debug information was previously loaded.
MS_DEBUG If set to an integer with bit 1 on, do not time out.
MS_TRAP Exception handling flag. Set to "NONE", "MDL", or "ALL"; Default = "ALL".
MS_DGNAPPS List of all design file MDL Applications.
MS_BASICEXT_LOAD List of MDL applications that implement extensions to the BASIC language.
MS_INITAPPS List of all initial start up MDL Applications.
OLE
MS_OLESERVE_EMBED_REFFILES If set, references will be embedded along with the main dgn file.
Operation
MS_AUTORESTORESTATUSBAR If set to 1, the status bar will restore its default appearance whenever the mouse enters it.
MS_FKEYMNU Function key menu file.
MS_ACCUDRAWKEYS Text file listing AccuDraw shortcut keys.
MS_SAVEMENU File where MicroStation stores information about attached menus.
MS_APPMEN Location of application and sidebar menus.
MS_WORKSPACEOPTS If set to 0 (default), the workspace options are displayed on the MicroStation Manager dialog box. If set to 1, the workspace options are displayed but disabled. If set to 2, the workspace options are hidden and the dialog box is resized.
MS_USECOMMANDWINDOW If set to 0, MicroStation will be locked in the status bar interface. If set to 1, MicroStation will be locked in the command window interface. If not set (default), user can choose interface style from MicroStation Manager.
MS_FILEHISTORY If set equal to 1, save the last several files and directories for each file type. If set equal to 0, no file histories will be maintained.
MS_READONLY If set, design file will be read only.
MS_WORKMODE Work mode activates/disables certain functions in order to produce a more compatible design file at the end. Setting this variable to DWG will disable some creation tools that may result in elements to be incompatible to DWG file format. Similarly setting it to V7 will restrict creation tools for pre-V8 file compatibility. Setting the variable to DGN (default) will gain full functional capacity creating elements. Must restart MicroStation to take effect of a changed value.
MS_DISALLOWFULLREFPATH When set to 1, the ability to save a Reference with its full path is disallowed. This variable affects the "Save Full Path" toggle for both the Attach Settings and Attach Reference dialog boxes for References. This also affects the "Store Full Path When Attached" toggle under the category Reference for the User Preference dialog. Also the Drawing Composition dialog's "Save Full Path" toggle is affected.
MS_IMMEDIATEUPDATE If set to 1, windows will update immediately when other windows are moved or resized over them.
MS_OPENV7 Controls the behavior when opening V7 format files:

0: open with alert dialog (default)
1: upgrade V7 to V8, no alert dialog
2: open V7 as read-only, no alert dialog
3: open V7 for read/write and set workmode to V7, no alert dialog
MS_DISABLE_FILE_ICONS When turned on, this configuration variable will disable the file open icons in MicroStation Manager and File > Open dialogs.
MS_DISABLE_FILE_THUMBNAIL When turned on, this configuration variable will disable the file preview thumbnail images in MicroStation Manager and File > Open dialogs.
MS_CMDTABLE_LOAD List of MDL Applications that will have their key-in tables auto-loaded.
Primary Search Paths
MS_DGNLIBLIST List of DGN files which are used as resource for your current session.
MS_DEF Search Path for design files.
MS_RFDIR Search path for references.
MS_MDLAPPS Search path for MDL applications that are displayed in the MDL dialog box.
MS_MDL Search path for MDL applications or external programs loaded by MDL applications.
MS_MACRO Search path for macros.
MS_RSRCPATH Search path for resource files loaded by MDL applications.
MS_LIBRARY_PATH Search path for dynamic link libraries.
MS_FILTER_LIB_DIR Directory containing filter data files.
Print/Plot
MS_PLTR Name of the default printer driver (.plt) file that describes printer features, if the most-recently-used .plt file is not defined. Note that in some circumstances, this variable is used both as a search path and as a default printer driver file.
MS_PLOTINI Search path for saved print configuration.
MS_PENTABLE Search path for pen tables.
MS_BATCHPLT_SPECS Name of the .spc file containing batch printing specifications.
MS_BATCHPLT_JOBSET_DIR Name of the directory containing batch printing job files. Defining this variable may be useful if different batch print job directories are used for different workspaces. If this variable is undefined, the batch print 'open' and 'save as' dialogs will default to the most recently used job filename regardless of the workspace.
MS_PLTDLG_UNLOADONCLOSE Controls whether the print dialog is unloaded when its window is closed. If "1" or undefined, the print dialog application unloads itself when its dialog is closed, and all settings revert to their defaults when the dialog is reopened. If this variable is set to "0", the application remains loaded after the window is closed, and certain settings are retained when the print dialog is reopened. For consistent behavior of the print dialog, it's recommended that this variable be undefined. Note that selecting File > Exit from the print dialog menu always unloads the application.
Protection
MS_PROTECTION_ENABLE
  • Set to 0 to disable file protection (default)
  • Set to 1 to enable password or certificate protection
  • Set to 2 to enable password protection
  • Set to 3 to enable certificate protection
MS_PROTECTION_PASSWORD_MIXED A password containing a mixture of letters and numbers.
MS_PROTECTION_PASSWORD_MIMIMUM Sets the minimum length of a file protection password. The default is 5.
MS_PROTECTION_NOENCRYPT_THUMBNAIL The thumbnail is an image of the last used view of the design file. The image is displayed by Windows File Explorer and MicroStation Manager.
MS_PROTECTION_NOENCRYPT_PROPERTIES Set to 1, tells the Protect command to leave file properties unencrypted or set to 0 to allow Protect encrypt file properties.
MS_PROTECTION_V8_COMPATIBILITY Set to 1, tells MicroStation XM Edition to encrypt a file so that earlier versions can decrypt it. This option leaves the new kinds of data that only XM understands unprotected.
Reference
MS_REFCOLORTABLE If defined and set to 1, MicroStation always uses the reference's color table. If defined and set to any value other than 1, MicroStation never uses the reference's color table. If not defined, MicroStation uses the user preference to determine whether or not to use the reference's color table.
MS_REF_CYCLECHECK If set to 0, MicroStation skips the circular reference check for DGN files. This variable does not affect DWG files.
MS_REF_FULLPATHFIRST When set MicroStation will look in the full path first. 1=on, 0=off
Rendering/Image
MS_LIGHTLIST Directory that lists the location of predefined lights.
MS_INGRFILE_REGISTRATION Sets File Georeference priority over attachment location for Intergraph raster formats, essentially CIT, C29, C30, C31, COT, RLE, TG4 and RGB raster formats. If undefined or set to 0, there is no effect. If set to 1, enables File Georeference priority for rasters.
MS_RASTER_ INTERACTIVE_MODIFY If undefined or set to any value other than 1, will not enter the Raster Modify command after interactively attaching a raster. If defined and set to 1, enters the Raster Modify command after interactively attaching a raster.
MS_RASTER_1BIT_WORKMODE If set to 1, harmonizes monochrome raster display so they are handled like Raster Reference attachments (Raster Reference was the default module provided with MicroStation/J that handled raster display, previous to Raster Manager for MicroStation v8). If undefined or set to 0, has no effect.
MS_RASTER_DEFAULTSCALE : If defined and set to 1, a raster without georeference which is attached without the use of the "Place interactively" toggle has the following scale assigned: scale factor = MS_RASTER_DEFAULTSCALE. The pixel size is deduced from the scale factor and dpi.
If undefined, a raster without georeference which is attached without the use of the "Place interactively" toggle has the following scale assigned: 1 pixel = 1 sub-unit. The scale factor is deduced from pixel size and dpi.
If defined and set to any other value, the value is invalid and MS_RASTER_DEFAULTSCALE is ignored (same behavior as undefined).
MS_RASTER_DEFAULTSISTER If set to 0 or 1, the default sister file will be HGR. If set to 2, the default sister file will be WorldFile.
MS_RASTER_EPSGTABLE_PATH Enables geotiff positioning using the location parameters found in ASCII files provided on request. The required ASCII files are:
  • CoordSysData.txt
  • ProjectionData.txt
  • UnitsData.txt
If undefined or set to 0, hard coded tables are used for Geotiff positioning. If set to 1, ASCII files are used for Geotiff positioning.
MS_RASTER_NO_DETACH_CONFIRM If defined and set to 0, display an alert dialog asking to confirm the raster detachment(s). If undefined or set to 1, do not display an alert dialog asking to confirm the raster detachment(s).
MS_RASTER_NOSHARING : Manages the automatic creation of .sharing.tmp files required for the concurrent access of the same raster file by various instances of the MicroStation application. If undefined or set to 0, .sharing.tmp files are always generated. If set to 1, .sharing.tmp file generation is disabled.
MS_RASTER_OPTIONAL_HTTPPORT This variable allows to add another port. For example, if the variable is set to "MS_RASTER_OPTIONAL_HTTPPORT_8085", Raster Manager will try this port first. If it is not successful, Raster Manager will try the default port.
MS_RASTER_SAVEAUTO Enables Raster Manager Automatic Save mode, which means the user will not be prompted to update rasters for changes made to the location info of the file when closing the DGN or when detaching the raster. If undefined or set to 0, SaveAuto is disabled. If set to 1, SaveAuto is enabled.
MS_MTBL Search path(s) for material tables.
MS_MATERIAL Search path(s) for material palettes.
MS_PATTERN Search path(s) for pattern maps.
MS_BUMP Search path(s) for bump maps.
MS_IMAGE Search path(s) for images.
MS_IMAGEOUT Directory where created images will be stored.
MS_SHADOWMAP Directory where shadow maps will be read from and written to.
MS_LIGHTING Directory where IES lighting data will be read from.
MS_RENDERLOG File name for recording rendering statistics.
MS_PTDIR Working directory for temporary Particle Tracing files.
Seed
MS_VIEWGROUPSEED Name of file containing seed view group for models without a view group.
MS_VIEWGROUPSEEDNAME Name of seed view group for models without a view group.
MS_DWGSEED Name of seed file used to create DWG file.
MS_SEEDFILES Search path(s) for all seed files.
MS_DESIGNSEED Default seed file for creating design files.
MS_TRANSEED Default seed file used for DWG, CGM, and IGES translations.
MS_CELL_SEEDFILE Seed file used when creating or upgrading cell libraries.
MS_SHEETSEED Seed file used when creating drawing sheets.
MS_USERPREFSEED Name of seed file used to create user preference resource file.
MS_DESIGNMODELSEED Name of file containing seed model for new design models.
MS_DESIGNMODELSEEDNAME Name of seed model for new design models.
MS_SHEETMODELSEED Name of file containing seed model for new sheet models.
MS_SHEETMODELSEEDNAME Name of seed model for new sheet models.
MS_DWGSHEETMODELSEED Name of file containing seed model for new sheet models in DWG files.
MS_DWGSHEETMODELSEEDNAME Name of seed model for new sheet models in DWG files.
Spelling
MS_SPELLINGUSERDICTIONARY Specifies the user dictionary.
MS_SPELLINGLANGUAGE Specifies the language. Valid languages are as follows: AmericanEnglish, BritishEnglish, Brazilian (Brazilian Portuguese), Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian and Spanish.
MS_SPELLINGDICTIONARYPATH Specifies the directory to search for core dictionaries.
Symbology
MS_SYMBRSRC A list of symbology resource files. Files are opened in the order they appear in the list. The last one in the list has the highest priority. If undefined, MicroStation looks in the current resource path for a file called "mssymb.rsc".
Tags
MS_TAGOUTPUT Output directory for general tags data.
MS_TAGREPORTS Output directory for tag data manager reports.
MS_TAGTEMPLATES Directory containing tag data manager report templates.
Temp/Backup
MS_DWG_BACKUP Directory for DWG backup (.bak) files. If not set they will be placed in the same directory as the DWG file.
MS_NO_DWG_BACKUP If set, .bak files will not be created when a DWG or DXF file is edited.
MS_BACKUP Default directory for backup files.
MS_TMP Directory containing temporary files that are created and deleted.
MS_SCR Directory for scratch files.
Translations
MS_CGMIN Input directory for CGM translations.
MS_CGMOUT Output directory for CGM translations.
MS_CGMLOG Output directory for CGM log file.
MS_CGMTABLES Directory containing the CGM translation tables.
MS_CGMINSET Settings file for the CGMIN application.
MS_CGMOUTSET Settings file for the CGMOUT application.
MS_IGESIN Input directory for IGES translations.
MS_IGESOUT Output directory for IGES translations.
MS_IGESLOG Output directory for IGES log files.
MS_IGESINSET Settings file for the IGESIN application.
MS_IGESOUTSET Settings file for the IGESOUT application.
MS_STEPOUT Output directory for Step translations.
MS_STEPLOG Output directory for Step log files.
MS_ROSEDB Rose database directory.
User Command Category (unsupported)
MS_UCM Search path(s) for user commands.
MS_INIT Name of a user command to be executed at startup.
MS_EXIT Name of a user command to be executed at exit.
MS_NEWFILE Name of a user command to be executed when a new design file is opened.
MS_APP Search path(s) of applications started from "TSK" statement in user commands.
VBA
MS_VBASAVEONRUN If set to 1, MicroStation automatically saves modified VBA projects everytime it starts running a VBA program.
MS_VBAAUTOLOADPROJECTS Names of the projects that are opened when the VBA dialog box is opened.
MS_VBASEARCHDIRECTORIES Directories that are searched when opening an existing VBA project.
MS_VBANEWPROJECTDIRECTORY Directory that is used when a new project is created.