This topic summarizes the new features and enhancements in MicroStation 2023, MicroStation 2023.1 and MicroStation 2023.2.

MicroStation 2023.2

Ability to Add or Remove Elements from a Report Placed as a Table

You can now add or remove elements from a table placed from the Reports with ease. The Add to Report and Remove from Report options are added to the Table Tools Contextual Tab.

You must select the elements to be added and then place the Table from Reports to see these options in the Ribbon. You must set the Selection Type to by Fence or Current Selection in the Reports dialog.

Ability to Apply 2D AutoConstraints to Multiple Elements

You can now use AutoConstrain tool on multiple elements in a design. Select the desired elements to constrain before selecting the AutoConstrain tool.

Ability to Assign a Plane to Bing Maps

For 3D Design models, you can now select in which plane the Bing Maps will display. You can choose from Design Plane and Background Plane.

Ability to Change the Fill Color of an Element

You can now change the Fill Color of an element using the Change Attributes tool. Select the Fill Color attribute to apply or edit the Fill Color of the element.

Ability to Edit the Item Type Information of a File or Model in the Explorer Dialog

You can now edit the Item Type information attached to a file or model from the Explorer dialog. The Edit Item option is available in the reset pop-up menu of a file or model with Item Type information in the Explorer dialog.

Clicking on the Edit Item opens the Edit Item Dialog. You can edit the desired Item Type properties and Update them.

Ability to Select an Option for Viewing the Structure of a Geometry in the Exported JT File Format

In the JT Explorer Dialog, JT Options Tab the JT File Organization drop-down is added where you can select the option for viewing the structure of the geometry in the exported JT file. The default is set to By Level.

Ability to Snap through Solids and Shapes that have a Positive Transparency Value

You can now snap through solids and shapes that have a positive Transparency value, when the Locate Interiors setting in the Preferences Dialog, Input Category is set to Never and Interior of Filled Elements checkbox in the AccuSnap Settings Dialog, Elements Tab is OFF.

Conditions to Create Accurate Solids Using the Solid by Extrusion Along Path Tool

Esri ArcGIS™ REST Services Authorization Protocol

You can access the secure services offered by ArcGIS Online without using any configuration. ArcGIS Enterprise Portal Configuration is used only if GIS data is stored in ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise and requires user authentication. To connect with an ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise that requires user authentication, you must create an application and register in ArcGIS Enterprise.

Visualization Enhancements

• You can reduce the render time by checking the "Ignore Glow in Materials" field in the Render Setup Manager dialog which disables the material's glow. When toggled on ignores all the Glow materials in the DGN therefore you do not have to change the Glow settings in the Material Editor Dialog each time before rendering.
  
  
  
• You can now manually adjust the atmospheric resolution between 1024 to 8192 from the drop-down menu in the Path Tracer Tab. By default, the resolution is set to 1024.
  
  
  
• While rendering scenes with multiple lights of different types, you can now group the lights using Named Groups so you can modify them at once and save time. The groups of lights thus created are available in the Relighting tab of the Post Render Settings section in the Vue Rendering dialog.
  
  
  

About Technology Preview Features

(Technology Preview) Ability to Adjust ACS Position Using the Show Manipulator Option

You can now set the ACS position by checking the Show Manipulator field in the Move ACS and Rotate ACS dialog box. This feature enables you to adjust the position of the ACS by moving or rotating the ACS in the selected axis.

(Technology Preview) Ability to Attach OMR Files as Point Cloud from Reality Management

In the Attach Point Cloud From Reality Management, you can now attach Orbit Mapping Run (OMR) files as a point cloud.

(Technology Preview) Ability to Audit a DGN File

Using the DGNAudit tool you can now run checks on DGN files to locate missing attachments (References, Raster and Point Clouds) and fix range and level issues. You can view the audit report after you run the audit and save time by quickly locating and fixing these issues in the DGN files.

(Technology Preview) Ability to Create New Variables and New Expressions for 3D Dimension and 3D Angle Constraint Tools

You can now create a new variable and expression while applying or editing 3D Dimension and 3D Angle constraints to elements.

The newly created variables will also be listed in the Variables dialog. You can also create a new expression to apply to a variable in the drop-down menu that opens while applying or editing a dimensional or angle constraint. This menu will also display any available variables.

(Technology Preview) Ability to Constrain Elements to the Horizontal X-axis or Vertical Y-axis

You can now constrain elements to the X-axis to make them horizontal or the Y-axis to make them vertical. The Horizontal and Vertical 2D constraint tools are now available in the Ribbon > Constraints to constrain elements to the x-axis and Y-axis respectively of the ACS Triad.

(Technology Preview) Ability to Copy Features from One Parametric Solid to Another

You can now copy multiple complex features from one parametric solid to another solid. You can do so using the new option To Other Solid in the Copy Feature tool. This will save time as you can simply copy complex features on to multiple solids. The copied features are not associated with the original features.

(Technology Preview) Ability to Import Google Earth KMZ File

You can now import the Google Earth KML file in the compressed KMZ version using the (Technology Preview) Import Google Earth File tool available in the Geographic toolbox.

(Technology Preview) Ability to Review Feature Information from ArcGIS Map Services Using the Feature Info Tool

You can now review information and details from layers on a specific location in the raster attachment. The Feature Info tool is available in the Raster Services ribbon group. It opens the Feature Info dialog from ArcGIS Map Services that represents the queryable raster available.

Features Moved from Technology Preview to Commercial Release

The following features that were available as Technology Preview in previous updates, have been commercially released in this update:

MicroStation 2023.1

Ability to Overwrite a cell definition while extracting a cell model

A new prompt is added to MicroStation 2023.1. When trying to update a cell definition with a newer version using the Extract cell Model dialog, you will now be prompted to confirm the overwrite.

You can click Yes to accept and No to cancel overwrite.

Ability to View the Properties of the selected Cell in the Cell Library Dialog

The newly added Display the cell properties toggle in the Cell Library Dialog lets you view the properties of the selected cell in the properties pane.

Text Editor Window Enhancements

• You will now see the Open Text Style Dialog icon in the Text Editor Window to open the Text Styles dialog.

• Insert Stacked Fraction Dialog tool icon is now available in Text Editor Window. The Insert Stacked Fraction tool setting window is now adjusted to display the full value of the entered fractions.

The following changes are made to the WFS Feature Service based on user feedback:

Feature services UI now has one dialog for all feature services.

About Technology Preview Features

(Technology Preview) Ability to Place Item type text as a Single Text node or Separate Text node

You can now place the Item Type text as a Single or Separate text node using the new toggle added to the Attach Item Dialog, Edit Item Dialog, and Clone Item Dialog. By default, the toggle is set to Single Text Node for all properties. If you choose to set a Separate text node then each property will be placed as a separate text node in the DGN.

(Technology Preview) Ability to Place Item Type Text from Explorer Dialog for a File or Model

While attaching the Item Type to a file or model from the Explorer dialog, you can now place the Item Type Properties as Text. You can do so using the Display Text toggle in the Attach Item tool setting window.

(Technology Preview) Ability to set Default Text Level and Text Style in the Item Type manager

Default Text Level and Default Text Style are the new fields added under the property definition in the Item Type Manager. With these fields, each property can be placed at different levels using different Text Styles through Item Type text placement. These fields apply only to the Item Types text placed as a Separate text node for each property.

With the Default Text Level, you can now place each property at the desired level available in the DGN. Also, you can place this property using different Text Styles available under the Default Text Style drop-down.

Features Moved from Technology Preview to Commercial Release

The following features that were available as Technology Preview in previous updates, have been commercially released in this update:

MicroStation 2023

Ability to access PopSet toggle from the Ribbon.

The PopSet toggle is now made available in the Ribbon (Home > Primary) and in the Quick Access Toolbar.

Ability to attach .BIM files as references using the Attach iTwin tool

A new drop-down is added in the Attach iTwin as Reference dialog that allows you to select and attach a local .BIM file as a reference.

Ability to control the display of Text Field background

You can now use the Text Field background option in the View Attributes dialog to control the display of the field background color. If On, text fields are displayed with a light grey background or the Field Background color defined in the Text Style. If off, will display text field without background.

Ability to incorporate Geospatial context information in a design

You can now design with reference to geospatial context using the tools available in the new Geospatial Context workflow. You can incorporate geospatial information such as utilities, underground piping, type of soil, urban planning, streets, etc. in DGN files. The Geospatial Context workflow provides direct integration with Esri ArcGIS REST Map and Feature services and also to WFS service from OGC (Technology Preview feature).

Ability to set the maximum number of elements to be displayed in the Properties Dialog

You can now set the maximum number of elements whose properties can be displayed in the Properties Dialog. You can define the value in the Explorer Settings Dialog Maximum Elements field. By default, the value is set to 5000 which you can change as desired.

Ability to select the attributes of cut profile

While creating a cut feature on a solid, you can now choose to use the profile element’s attributes for the feature using the Use Profile Attributes option in the Cut Solid with Curve tool. Turn on this check box to apply the profile element’s attributes on the cut feature.

Esc exits command setting for DWG files

In the DWG Workmode the Esc exits command is set to ON by default in the Preferences Dialog, Input category. This will allow you to work with a familiar DWG workflow.

Issue Resolution Service enhancements

Bing Maps Enhancements

You can now access and assign a Bing map type using the Assign Background Map tool available in the Ribbon. You can easily apply the map settings to multiple views using the Bing Maps tool.

Enhancement to the Saved Views Dialog

You can now see new settings, View Groups and View Index in View Groups, in the Saved Views Dialog. These settings display view information for the respective saved views.

About Technology Preview Features

(Technology Preview) Ability to loft a given profile along closed section elements with guide wires

You can now create a parametric solid by lofting given section elements with guide wires. You can use the option Loft by Sections with Guide Wires from Loft Solid tool in the Create Solids tab from the ribbon.

(Technology Preview) Ability to select an ACS while using Move ACS

A new drop-down is added in the Move ACS tool where you can select an ACS and move it without creating a new unnamed ACS.

(Technology Preview) Ability to select an ACS while using Rotate ACS

In the Rotate ACS tool setting a new drop-down is added for selecting an available ACS. You can select an ACS, set desired values for angles in the X, Y and Z fields and click in the view window. The selected ACS is rotated instead of creating a new rotated ACS.

(Technology Preview) Ability to view most recent commands in the Pop-up menu

Recents tab has been added to the Keyboard Shortcuts that displays a list of recently used commands.

You can customize the number of displayed commands by adjusting the Maximum Recent Icons slider in the Preferences Dialog, Input Category.

(Technology Preview) Ability to view the variables associated with an element on selection

You can now select an element and view the variables assigned to it in the active view. You can do so by selecting the Select by Elements icon in the Variables Dialog.

(Technology Preview) Ability to view the elements associates with a variable on selection

You can now select a variable and view the element associated with it in the current view. You can do so by selecting the Select Elements icon in the Variables Dialog.

(Technology Preview) Ability to sort the variables in ascending or descending order

You can now sort the variables alphabetically in ascending or descending order by selecting the Ascending/Descending order tool in the Variables Dialog.

(Technology Preview) Ability to search variables by name

You can now search for variables by their names in the Variables Dialog by using the Search by Variables tool. This tool also includes a filter that allows you to navigate to previously searched variables.

Item Type Enhancements

• (Technology Preview) Ability to Place Item Type Text on Selected Level

  You can now place the Item Type text from the attached Item Types on the desired level using Attach Item dialog. A new level drop-down is added in the Attach Item dialog for selecting the level to place Item Iype text. You will see all the levels available in the Level Manager in this new drop-down. You no longer have to use the level manager to select the desired level to place the Item Type text. This will save time while placing the Item Type text.

  The level drop-down is also provided on the Edit Item dialog and Clone Items tool.

  
  
  
  • Filter provision in the Level drop-down in Attach Item/Edit Item/Clone tool

    Level Filter is now available in the Attach Item dialog in the Level drop-down. This Level Filter displays the DGN level filters available in the Level Manager. You can select the Level Filter with respect to the DGN Level in the Level drop-down.

    
    
    

    The Level Filter is also available on Edit Item Dialog and Clone Items tool.

• (Technology Preview) Ability to define formatter for ItemType text in ItemType manager
  A new option, Add Text Formatting, is added to allow the formatting of Item Type text. This functionality is the same as text formatting done in the Text Editor. Right-clicking on a property definition opens a pop-up menu with this new option added.

  
  
  

• (Technology Preview) Ability to Set Default Value Field for Calculated Property in Item Type Manager

  A new field, Is default value, is added to the Calculated Property for the Property definition in the Item Types manager. It allows you to set the default value to editable or non-editable. Is default value field is activated only when the Calculated Property is in the form of an Expression.

  The Expression under the Calculated Property is executed for every new placement. This value coming from the Expression is editable when you set Is default value to Yes and non-editable if you set Is default value to No.

• (Technology Preview) Annotation Scale Lock in all dialogs
  You can now change the annotation scale on the Item Type text field. Annotation scale lock is currently provided to the Attach Item dialog.This lock is synchronized with the icon in the Lock dialog Box and under the Utilities Tab. If you turn ON/OFF the Annotation Scale Lock in either of the three (Attach item dialog box, Lock Dialog box, and Utilities tab), it will reflect in all these three places. Annotation lock is also provided in Clone Items Tool, Edit Item dialog, and single Attach Item dialog.

  
  
  

• (Technology Preview) Enhancement to the Table Style Manager dialog
  You can now find the following enhancements in the Table Style Manager dialog:

  • Table Style Manager shows all the captured settings.
    • For all rows, under the General tab it captures: Fill color, Body row text style, Default text color, and Alignment of text.
    • For all rows, under Title, Header, Body, Summary, and footer it captures Text style and Fill color. Each row type is presented in a different tab.
  • Table Style Manager shows the table preview for the selected table style.
• (Technology Preview) Force Association of the Item Type text with the Source Element from the Text Editor

  Item Type Text Association is already available for the text placed using Attach Item dialog. Now, this functionality is available for the fields from the Text Editor. The new setting is provided for associating the text placed fromText Editor to the Item Type properties only. You will now see the checkbox Force association with source element provided on the Fields Editor dialog.

  
  
  

• (Technology Preview) Ability to Place the Item Type Text with Respect to View Orientation

  You can now place the Item Type text with respect to the view orientation of the respective elements.

• Item Type Text Propagation for Multi-line Partial Delete Tool

  The Item Type text propagation is now applied to the Multi-Line partial delete tool. If there is any Item Type information associated with the multi-line, the Item Type propagation is applied to both the parent and the child element.

Deprecated Features

Features Moved from Technology Preview to Commercial Release

The following features that were available as Technology Preview in previous updates, have been commercially released in this update: