Microstation is one of the most well-known CAD application amongst architects and engineers. Within this article you will be presented its history, highlights and versions along with training guidances.
The Microstation package was originally developed by Keith Bentley in the 1980′s, under the name Intergraph Microstation, and in 1987, the 2.0 version, which used the now familiar DGN file format.
Microstation has continued to evolve with the Windows operating system, and now boasts full integration with similar package, by making use of the DWG drawing format. The current Microstation version, V8i, now sports a GPS module, added to previous improvements which included printing to PDF, digital signatures, spell checking, photorealistic rendering and a host of other features.
From the original Pseudostation 1, all the way through versions 3.4, released for the Mac, Microstation J which allowed solids modeling, to the newer versions, the software has consistently managed to interpret trends, and apply them, making the whole Microstation package more user friendly, and addressing users’ needs along the way.
The current Microstation offers just about any CAD functionality you could wish for, whether you need to create simple two dimensional construction drawings, or complex 3D mechanical models.
Originally, Microstation was developed almost solely for architectural use, but it’s evolution over the years and decades have lead to it’s use in mapping, civil engineering and plant design, as well as other fields. They must be doing things right too, since there are a host of prominent and prestigious civil engineering, construction and CAD publications eager to sing the Microstation package’s praises.
Bentley have addressed the training needs of users of their various software packages, including Microstation, by creating the Bentley Institute, which offers support and training ranging from very comprehensive e-learning courses to real life training. In fact, a visit to their website’s training section will reveal a easy flow chart, outlining the various training recommendations, depending on your current CAD or Microstation experience.
As a CAD user, or someone involved in technical drawing, the most attractive feature of Microstation is probably that it can open and even edit drawings created on other CAD software without the need for complex conversions and other time consuming requirements.
Furthermore, if you are looking for a CAD solution for your drawing office, whether for a small or large company, or even deciding which CAD package to master in order to further your draughting or engineering career, you could do a lot worse than Microstation.
Knowing that it’s backed by a 20 year history, and that there are thousands of happy users out there is certainly a point in Microstation’s favor. Also, since Microstation has been around so long, most of the bugs have been worked out, meaning it’s a stable option.
Finally, because Microstation runs on most modern versions of Windows, including XP, it’s pretty easy to implement in most offices, and there are options for server installations, meaning you can have an entire drawing office up and running quite quickly.
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