To support the needs of different languages, the font configuration file defines some settings based on the locale. This includes default, or fallback, fonts, as well as some other options. Your computer’s code page controls the locale settings that are used. You can control the code page through the Windows’ Region and Language settings.

You use default fonts when opening design files that use fonts you do not have. Text elements will then use default fonts based on font type instead. Defining an appropriate default font will allow these elements to be readable by ensuring that the default font supports the characters in the given language.

If a True Type font is missing a character, custom font creation allows MicroStation to ask Windows to get the character out of a fallback font. This process requires overhead when displaying each text element, regardless of whether a substitution is necessary. Its use is discouraged. It is recommended that you use a language-appropriate font. Rules for finding fallback fonts and characters are governed by Windows. The display may vary between versions or configurations of Windows.

Different languages have varying needs for character lookup and layout. Because this can add overhead when displaying text elements, True Type font layout controls what process is available. Disabling complex script processing can speed up the display of text elements, but it cannot always be disabled.

While the out-of-the-box configuration suffices for the vast majority of cases, if you deploy custom fonts and hide out-of-the-box fonts, you can change the default fonts to your customizations.