Common File Selection Controls

The common dialog controls differ depending on whether the preference Use Windows file open is on (the default) or off in the Look and Feel category of the Preferences dialog ( File > Settings > User > Preferences ). If on, the standard Windows file open dialogs are used. If off, the MicroStation file open dialogs display.

These controls are found in a large number of file selection dialogs.

Setting	Description
Back	Returns to the last folder that you opened.
Forward	Once you have used the Back button, this button takes you forward again.
Address bar	Displays the path of selected folder.
Search box	Allows you to find a file in the current folder. Enter a file name or part of the file name in the Search box and the search looks into folders and files in the current folder and lists the results.
Organize	Allows you to organize the current folder's contents.
New Folder	Creates a new folder with an editable name field.
View Menu	(Available only if the preference Use Windows file open is on) Allows you to select how to display the files in the directory. Extra large icons — Displays the files by the product-specific icon. Large icons — Displays the files by the product-specific icon. Medium icons — Displays the files by the product-specific icon. Small icons — Displays the files by the product-specific icon. List — Shows a list of the files in the directory. Details — Allows you to select what details you want to display for the files listed. Tiles — Displays the file by name, type and size of file. Auto Arrange — (Available only if icons or Tiles is selected) By default, icons are stacked in the upper-left corner and locked in place. To unlock the icons so that you can move them again, turn on Auto Arrange. Align to Grid — (Available only if icons or Tiles is selected) By default, icons are evenly spaced on an invisible grid. To place icons closer together or with more precision, turn on Align to Grid.
List box	Lists files for selection. The files listed reside in the folder displayed in the Address bar, filtered according to the file type chosen in the Files of type option menu. Double-clicking a filename in the list box selects and opens the file.
File > New file	Opens the New dialog, which is used to open a design file as the active file.
File > Compress File	Reduces the size of the open DGN file by purging empty and unused data resources.
File > File history	Lists up to the last ten files that were most recently opened. The desired file can be chosen from the menu. Note: If the preference Use Windows file open is off, the file history is displayed through the File menu.
Directory > Select Configuration Variable	Opens the Select Configuration Variable dialog. Use this dialog to change the directory of files listed in the list box by selecting a configuration variable whose definition points to a different directory. List box — Lists path and directory configuration variables for selection. OK — Accepts the selected configuration variable and closes the dialog. The directory whose files are listed in the Files list box changes to the directory specified in the configuration variable definition. Cancel — Closes the dialog without changing the directory. Note: If the preference Use Windows file open is off, the Select Configuration Variable option is opened through the Directory menu.
Directory > directory history	Lists the directories that were most recently opened. The desired directory can be chosen from the menu. Note: If the preference Use Windows file open is off, the directory history is opened through the Directory menu.
File name	Shows the name of the file that is selected in the list box or you can key in a filename. Note: If the preference Use Windows file open is off, this control is labeled "Files."
Files of type	The drop-down list next to the File name field is the File of type setting. It sets the type of file format. Note: If the preference Use Windows file open is off, this control is labeled "List Files of Type."
Open	Opens the selected file (or creates the specified file). Note: If the preference Use Windows file open is off, this control is labeled "OK."
Open > Open as read-only	If selected, the file is opened in a read-only state. Note: If the preference Use Windows file open is off, this control is labeled "Read-Only."
Cancel	Closes the dialog without opening or creating a file.
Options	Opens an options dialog related to the file type selected in the Files of type drop-down list.
Directories	(Available only if the preference Use Windows file open is off) Lists directories for selection. The Directory field identifies the selected directory.
Drives	(Available only if the preference Use Windows file open is off) Sets the source or destination drive.
Show File Icons	(Available only if the preference Use Windows file open is off) Displays icons next to the filenames in the Files list box.
Directory menu > Current Work Directory	(Available only if the preference Use Windows file open is off) Changes the directory whose files are listed in the Files list box to the current directory.