The MicroStationPython GitHub repository  provides a Python scripting API for MicroStation, Bentley’s CAD platform. It is not a full-stack application, but rather a binding layer that allows developers to write Python scripts to interact with and automate tasks within MicroStation.

What the GitHub Repository Is For:

GitHub is like a big online notebook where people can work together on projects, especially ones that involve writing or coding.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Imagine you're writing a book with friends. You each write different chapters, but you want to keep everything organized and make sure no one accidentally erases someone else’s work.
• GitHub helps with that. It keeps track of every change anyone makes, so you can always go back to an earlier version if needed.
• It also lets people share their work with others, get feedback, and even let others suggest improvements.

Even though it’s mostly used by people who write computer code, the idea is really about collaboration, organization, and sharing.

The repository can be used for useful tasks such as searching for a topic, a function or a method.

 

The Github repository also allows the viewing of code contained in the repository.

The repository serves several key purposes:

1. Python Binding Implementation

It contains the source code that bridges Python with MicroStation’s internal APIs. This allows Python scripts to call into MicroStation functionality, such as manipulating design files, elements, views, and more.

2. Examples and Samples

The repo includes example scripts that demonstrate how to use the Python API effectively. These are useful for learning and for jumpstarting development.

3. Build Scripts and Configuration

It provides build scripts (.mke files) and environment setup instructions for compiling the bindings. This includes:

• Required tools like the MicroStation SDK (2024 or later)
• Boost 1.82
• Environment variables for paths to SDK, Python, and Boost

4. Testing Infrastructure

There are test modules to validate the functionality of the bindings, ensuring stability and correctness as the project evolves.

5. Community Contributions

The repo encourages contributions and provides a CONTRIBUTING.md file. Developers can propose new bindings, bug fixes, or additional examples.

Members of the Bentley Developer Network have the ability to add their own bindings to features in MicroStation or OpenX applications.