INHOUDSOPGAVE


A new version of MicroStation is available, namely MicroStation 2025! What can you expect and what's fun in this new version?


Firstly

As in all versions of MicroStation after CONNECT Edition (2023 and 2024), there have not been any very drastic changes to the User interface here, so everything looks pretty much the same and the commands are still in the same place.


What is new or changed?

Here is a list that comes straight from Bentley's 'What's New?'.


Python Editor Improvements

The Python Manager is now included in the improved Python Editor and a library of 158 script examples has been added, 20 of which are new scripts for Geospatial workflows.


Examples include, for example,:

  • Base Geometry
  • Cells
  • Change Tracking
  • Configuration
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Curves
  • Detailing Symbols
  • Dimensions
  • Drawing Aids
  • Excel
  • Geospatial
  • Graphics Display
  • Groups
  • Levels
  • Manipulation
  • Measure
  • Mesh
  • Models
  • Multi-Line
  • Parametric Solids Modelling
  • Printing
  • Programming
  • Properties
  • Raster
  • Reference
  • Selection
  • Sheet Composition
  • Solids
  • Surfaces
  • Table
  • Text
  • UI Customization
  • Units
  • View

The improved Python Editor now looks like this:

The Python Assistant is shown on the right, this is an AI-based aid for programming in Python. At the moment, this is still a Technology Preview (which means that it is something that you can try out, but that it is not yet fully developed).


Bing Maps has been replaced by Google Maps

Google Maps is back. In version 2023 and 2024, Bing Maps was introduced as a replacement for Google Maps, but Google is back.

Helaas zijn de mogelijkheden die in MicroStation CE aanwezig waren (nog) niet terug. 


Expression Builder has expanded

This is a function within Item Types in which you can build an 'Expression' that consists of values from the drawing (from the Item Types) and different 'operators'. Those 'operators' have now been expanded with the possibility to use multiple IFs, so multiple conditions. The first 'If' that results in a valid value is the outcome of (that part of) the Expression.


Geographic Coordinate System enhancement

The icon in the gray status line for indicating the presence of a coordinate system in the drawing has been enhanced. By hovering your mouse over that icon, the name of the linked coordinate system will appear and clicking on the icon will open the screen for assigning coordinate systems:


Geospatial Feature enhancements

  • Ability to link 3DTiles via Reality Mesh Attachments. This expansion brings you the following 'benefits': 
    • Advanced Visualization: Experience high-quality, interactive 3D visualizations directly within MicroStation.
    • Seamless Integration: Easily attach 3DTiles, streamlining your workflow.
    • Enhanced Performance: Efficiently handles large datasets, ensuring smooth and responsive interactions.
    (literally taken from Bentley Help)
  • Expansion of the Esri ArcGIS Feature Services - Cell Fixed Size
    This is an addition to the Element Templates in the Properties menu, so that a cell you use for point Features remains a constant size on your screen (independent of your zoom level).


Ability to choose a vertical coordinate system after choosing a horizontal coordinate system

'Vertical Datum' has changed its name, it is now called 'Vertical Coordinate System'. Previously, MicroStation had 5 settings for this: Ellipsoid, Geoid, NGVD29, NAVD88 and LocalEllipsoid. In this update, these settings have been automatically upgraded to Vertical Coordinate System. You can now also choose a Vertical Coordinate system immediately after selecting the horizontal coordinate system.

You can assign a Vertical Coordinate System via the first button in this window.


RealDWG 2026 Support

The latest version of AutoCAD (2026) is supported from this version. 

This is no longer as much of an issue as it used to be because AutoCAD has not changed its file format since version 2018.


Automated Crash Report

From this version onwards, a Crash Report is automatically sent to Bentley with a timeout time of 90 seconds.

This can be turned off when installing by turning off the 'Automated Crash Reporting' in the Features section.


Technology Preview Features


Here's what Bentley says about its Technology Preview Features:


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.



So use at your own risk.


Python Assistant(*)

This assistant is located in the Python Editor window and is intended to help both non-programmers and programmers create tools using MicroStation Python. On targeted questions, this assistant will generate Python code. (During installation of MicroStation 2025, you can prevent this assistant from being installed in the Features).


Support for Google 3D(*)

You can now also overlay Google 3D maps under your drawing. Select the right coordinate system in your 3D model, zoom in on a location and use 'Rotate View' > 'Dynamic' to see the buildings etc. in 3D.


Efficiency bij Point Cloud Optimization enhanced(*)

This can speed up the rendering process and help with zooming in and out faster and more efficiently. This Point Cloud Optimization covers Web Ready Point Clouds (OPC) and 3D Tiles Point Clouds (JSON).


Create a new Configuration(*)

The 'Add' button in the Manage Configuration screen has been replaced by a 'Create' button. The next screen seems to be exactly the same as the one in MicroStation 2024. The difference is in the button next to 'Create': 'Connect', with which you can make a link with an existing configuration (or with the new one of course).


A Configuration is a setting of mainly the Configuration Variables. You could already set this up at the Workspace and at Workset level, but now also at a higher level. You can also set here that users are not allowed to create their own Workspace or Workset or even choose another Workspace or Workset. 


New: Equal Angle constraint(*)

In addition to the Equal Distance Constraint to the Dimensional Constraint, there is now also the Equal Angle Constraint to enforce that two angles must always remain the same.


Associative Array

You can now create a link between the elements of an Array when you create one. The original is the 'Parent' and the rest are 'Children'. If you move the Parent then the Children go with you, if you move one of the Children then the rest of the Array just stays where it is. After that, the relocated Child is no longer part of the array.


It is also possible to change the space between the elements afterwards with, for example, 'Properties', but for that you have to select the Parent, the Children are linked, but you don't see much else about that. In the Properties screen, you will see an extra section appear:

So you can also adjust the number of columns or rows (and the angle). 

Beware! if you delete the Parent then the whole array is gone.


You can also use a 'marker' to recognize an associative array. You can find them at the View Attributes:

The markers look like this:

The Parent is easy to recognize.


OGC API Feature Service

The OGC API Feature Service is now also supported by MicroStation. You can access this Service via the Geospatial context workflow. You can connect to the API by pasting the URL to the Service into the screen and filling in the login details. Then you can apply Queries and show the results in MicroStation.


3D Mesh modification tools enhanced

  • Mesh Unite, Mesh Intersect, and Mesh Subtract have been added. This allows you to merge meshes, create an overlapping part of the meshes, and subtract one mesh from another mesh.
  • Create a new, smoother mesh element from an existing mesh element using the Mesh Extreme Decimation tool in the Mesh tab of the Modeling workflow.


Export to IFC format

You can now also export dgn, dwg and dxf files to IFC files, the supported versions are IFC 2.3, IFC 4 AND IFC 4.3. IFC stands for "Industry Foundation Classes" and is an exchange format for BIM files.


You can now export a DGN to IFC format with IFC-related item type information. You can import the IFC_Classes_Types.dgnlib file into the Item types dialog box. In the Add Item dialog box, you can then add the IFC-related item type properties to the elements before exporting the DGN to IFC format. This ensures that the file is exported to IFC format with item type information.


Label Coordinate with Leader

It has been possible for a long time to place the coordinates of a point in the drawing as a text. Now it is also possible to use a Leader for this:

The leader consists of a line from the point where the coordinate is taken and the place where the text is located.

After placing it is a line and a text, there is no association between the text and the line or the place where the coordinate belongs. 


Undo en Redo beschikbaar in Text Editor

You can now also use Undo (Ctrl+Z) and Redo (Ctrl+R) within the text editor. This goes back a maximum of 10 commands.


Deprecated Features

The following components have disappeared from MicroStation 2025.


It is no longer possible to link a Reality Mesh to a 2D model. The Reality Mesh pairing screen will still appear, but if you try to attach a Reality Mesh, you'll get a notification that it's not possible because you're in a 2D model.


Features van Technology Preview to Commercial Release

  • Horizontal 2D Constraint, a constraint that holds a line or line segment horizontally.
  • Vertical 2D Constraint, a constraint that holds a line or line segment vertically
  • Mirror 2D Constraint, constraint that makes a mirrored copy of an element in the drawing and ensures that the copy always remains the same as the original (remember that you also need a mirror element with this constraint!).
  • Constraint on Centroid, you can now also attach a constraint to the center of an element.