New and Changed in MicroStation CONNECT Edition Update 13

This topic summarizes the new features and enhancements in MicroStation CONNECT Edition Update 13.

Help Tab

The previously known CONNECT Services tab is now renamed as the Help tab which hosts the following:

Help Contents
CONNECT Advisor
Feedback service
Examples
Social Media links

PBR Materials

MicroStation now supports Physically Based Rendering (PBR). PBR method of rendering accurately represents a material's surface based on its interactions with light. You can create more realistic looking materials that work well in all lighting environments.

Removal of Welcome Screen

The Welcome Screen is now removed. Once you launch MicroStation CONNECT Edition, you will see the Start Screen. The delivered examples section along with the social media links in the welcome screen have been moved to the new Help tab in the ribbon. The news and announcements along with Learn courses can now be accessed from the CONNECT Advisor in the Help tab.

About Technology Preview Features

Some features in this update are provided as Technology Preview.

Note: Take advantage of this Technology Preview, a non-public software service and/or application for evaluation purposes only. Please use the Technology Preview in your normal business environment as needed to form an opinion concerning the performance of the Technology Preview. Bentley personnel would welcome your valued feedback concerning the performance of the Technology Preview as you evaluate the capabilities. Please be aware that at some point, you may receive notice from Bentley that such use must cease or this Technology Preview will become unavailable to you. As we receive feedback, this Technology Preview may also be enhanced, updated or also discontinued without notice. As a Technology Preview, it is provided to you "as-is" without the benefit of any Bentley warranty, indemnity or support obligation.

(Technology Preview) Components Center

You can now use Components Center, a cloud-based digital component library and catalog management service, to manage your organization's component libraries. You can choose from a wide range of available, approved content, for use in your designs. The geometry and rich data associated with the components as well as reference files and URLs are stored in Components Center and available for use in all phases of a component's lifecycle.

(Technology Preview) V8i Task Theme

If you are moving to MicroStationCONNECT Edition from MicroStation V8i and are not familiar with the Ribbon, you can now use the V8i Task Theme in MicroStation CONNECT Edition to quickly access tools as you become accustomed to the new interface. You can turn the V8i Task Theme on from the Select Task Picker in the Quick Access toolbar, while in the Task Navigation workflow.

Features Moved from Technology Preview to Commercial Release

The following feature that was in Technology Preview mode in previous updates, has been commercially released in this update:

Configuration Assistant

Deprecation

Pantone colors - Pantone colors are no longer supplied with MicroStation because of low usage. However, if you need to use them you can use an existing DGN that includes Pantone color books or create a new color book called Pantone using RGB values to create Pantone colors.