NCDOT computers are set up to run the NCDOT workspace every time MicroStation is started. If you created the environment variables as demonstrated at the beginning of this document, the NCDOT workspace will always be used. To facilitate opening a MicroStation drawing, NCDOT has developed an application named MS_START.

MS_Start is an application that opens a MicroStation drawing with the correct english or metric project, and lets you choose the unit workspace to employ. It is associated with the .dgn file extension so when a design file is double clicked in Windows Explorer, MS_Start presents its opening dialog, allowing the user to set the desired options.

Note: MS_Start should only be used when the workspace is configured for full time use.

To associate MS_Start with the dgn extension, right click on any design file with a dgn extension.

Choose "Open With…"

Unless MSStart for MSV8 is already listed , select "Choose Program…". Navigate to

c:\ncdot_v8_workspace\ncdot_stds\standards\appl and select Ms_Start.exe.

Enable the "Always use this program…" check box.