V8i FAQ


Applies To
Product(s):Bentley Navigator
Version(s):08.11.09.293
Environment: N/A
Area: N/A
Subarea: N/A
Original Author:Bentley Technical Support Group


 

 

 

 

 

What are the requirements for Bentley Navigator V8i
(SELECTseries 4)?

Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) requires a minimum of 1 GB of RAM, although 2 to 3 GB is recommended. More memory almost always improves performance, particularly when working with larger models.

Intel® or AMD® processor 2.0 GHz or greater. We do not support Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) on a CPU that does not support SSE2.

900 MB free disk space (which includes the 400 MB install footprint for a complete installation).

It is also recommended that you have a graphics card and driver that supports DirectX 9.0 in order to best take advantage of Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4)  graphics capabilities. 256 MB of video RAM or higher is recommended. If insufficient video RAM or no graphics card supported by DirectX can be found, Bentley Navigator attempts to use software emulation. For optimal performance, graphics display color depth should be set to 24-bit
or higher. When using a color depth setting of 16-bit, some inconsistencies will be noted.

Which operating systems are supported by Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4)?

Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) supports the following Operating Systems:
Windows 7
Windows 7 (64-bit)
Windows Vista, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions
Windows Vista (64-bit)
Windows XP SP2 or later, Home, Professional, and Media Center editions
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Windows XP Professional (64-bit)
Windows Server 2003 SP1 or later
Windows Server 2003 (64-bit)
Windows Server 2008 SP2, Standard and Enterprise editions (64-bit)
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Standard and Enterprise Editions (64-bit)

Bentley does not support its software running on Microsoft operating systems
versions that Microsoft has "retired”. Microsoft has already deprecated
support for Windows XP and will “retire” it in 2014. For more information see Microsoft's application retirement policy and the Bentley Application Support Lifecycle.

What is the "Prerequisites for Bentley Desktop
Applications" and why do I need it?

The Prerequisites for Bentley Desktop Applications is a series of Microsoft packages that are downloaded and
installed on your workstation when you install Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4).

The Prerequisites for Bentley Desktop Applications need to be installed on your system once, and only need to be
reinstalled if you are installing a later version of Bentley Navigator that requires an updated prerequisite pack. The Prerequisites for Bentley Desktop Applications also are available from the Software Downloads of SELECTservices Online.

The contents of the Prerequisites for Bentley Desktop Applications include:
Windows Installer Version 3.1v2
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
Microsoft XML Parser (MSXML) 6 SP 1 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications core
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications localized
DHTML Editing Control for Applications (with Vista compatibility)
DirectX 9c

(DirectX9.0 is installed only if needed and only if you are using Windows XP. Windows Vista includes DirectX 10; Windows 7 includes DirectX 11. If your operating system is Windows Vista with a graphics card with GPU feature level 10 or later, then Bentley Navigator uses DirectX 10. If your operating system is Windows 7 with a graphics card with GPU feature level 11, then Bentley Navigator uses DirectX 11.)

Has the file format changed between ProjectWise Navigator V8 XM Edition and Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4)? Can I use files created in earlier versions of ProjectWise Navigator V8?

The ProjectWise Navigator V8 file format is extended by Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) in a backwards compatible way. That means that while there is some new information that is written to the file by Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4), that information is ignored by earlier editions of ProjectWise Navigator V8, and files created and edited with Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) can still be used in earlier versions.

Will Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) performance be enhanced when running on a 64-bit operating system like Windows XP x64 Edition?

Yes. While Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) is a 32-bit application, it takes advantage of AWE (Address
Windowing Extensions) to use the extra memory. When a Bentley Navigator session is running out of memory and has to start swapping, it uses AWE to swap to the extended memory instead of to disk, which can make a significant difference to the performance. An application must have the Lock Pages in Memory privilege to use AWE. In order to obtain this privilege, an administrator must add Lock Pages in Memory to the user’s User Rights Assignments. For more information on how to do this, see “User Rights” in the operating system help.

The Luxology rendering engine is delivered in both 64-bit and 32-bit versions. The appropriate version is installed
automatically, depending on the operating system detected during installation. Both the 64-bit and 32-bit versions take full advantage of all available memory and processing power available to each operating system.

How do I activate Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4)?

Activation of Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) can be accomplished during or after the installation process
through the License Management Tool. You need two pieces of information in order to complete activation: the name of the SELECT Server and an Activation Key, which should be available from your System Administrator.

I have a dual-core workstation. Will Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) take advantage of multi-core or multi-processor systems?

Yes, Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) takes advantage of multi-core or multi-processor systems. Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) performs graphics processing in a separate thread. The new Luxology rendering engine makes very efficient use of up to 32 cores, and you will see linear performance gains as more cores are added.

Will Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) use my existing commercial Projectwise Navigator V8 XM Edition licenses being managed by SELECTserver?

Yes. Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) can be activated using your existing ProjectWise Navigator V8 XM Edition license managed on SELECTserver XM Edition and later. Existing ProjectWise Navigator V8 XM Edition users who are currently activated only need to upgrade Bentley Navigator. Since the machine is currently activated, Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) acknowledges the existing activation and does not need to be re-activated. Bentley Navigator usage, regardless of version, is recorded by SELECTserver XM Edition and later.

Where can I review the Bentley Navigator V8i
(SELECTseries 4) End User Licensing Agreement?

For reference, a copy of the End User License Agreement named "EULA.pdf" is included in the "Navigator" folder of the product installation. By default, this location is " C:\Program Files\Bentley\Navigator V8i\Navigator\" or “C:\Program
Files (x86)\Bentley\Navigator V8i\Navigator\”.

What is the new activation state for licensing called
Evaluation mode?

Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) adds an additional licensing mode for new users to “test drive” our products prior to purchase. Evaluation mode allows full use of the product for up to 30 days. A window displays daily presenting the option to purchase or continue the evaluation. After the evaluation period concludes, the product does not function until it is activated. If you want to purchase a product, contact your account manager or fill out a Sales Contact Request.

Can I install Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) on the same workstation as an earlier version of ProjectWise Navigator?

Yes, you can install Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) on the same workstation as a previous version. The only
restriction is that you do not install both versions into the same directory. See the "Before you start" section in the QuickInstallGuide.

Will Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) work with my existing MicroStation-based workspaces?

Yes, but if associated with one of the supported applications, it needs to be updated. Various configuration variables
used to define how the application data is mined from the file must be specified. Refer to the on-line help for details.

What is an overlay file and how does Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) use it?

Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) uses the concept of overlay files. An overlay file is a V8 DGN file that references the original DGN or DWG file. It works as a container for review-specific content such as markup elements and saved views, while protecting the original file from modification. When you open an ordinary (non-overlay) DGN or DWG file, Bentley Navigator creates and opens a temporary overlay DGN file. If you modify this overlay file and try to close or switch to another file, you are prompted to save the changes to a permanent overlay file. However, when you
close the overlay file without doing any modifications, it is deleted. Bentley Navigator opens existing overlay files directly. It does not create an overlay over an overlay. Existing RDL or _redline.dwg files are treated like any other DGN/DWG files; an overlay is created for them. When you open an ordinary DGN or DWG file, Bentley Navigator does not automatically search for a corresponding overlay file. For example, say a folder contains both test.dgn and test.overlay.dgn. If you open test.dgn, Bentley Navigator creates a temporary overlay file referencing test.dgn, ignoring the existing test.overlay.dgn. To open the existing test.overlay.dgn, you must explicitly select it.

How do I minimize or eliminate flicking while navigating the model?

Though Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) attempts to set the optimal frame rate based on various parameters
associated with the opened model, there may be cases where additional adjustment is required. In those cases, a rate frame user preference setting is provided under Settings > Preferences > View Options which allows them to
change it.

Can I control the speed at which I navigate through the
model?

Yes. Various modifier keys are provided with the Walk, Fly and Navigate View tools that allow you to control movement, including speed. The <+> and <-> keys are used for increasing and decreasing the speed at which one moves forward/backward, whereas, the <[> and <]> keys are used to control turning. Refer to the "Navigating Your Design" section in the on-line help for more details.

What type of information can be browsed, queried and viewed within the Items dialog?

Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) supports browsing, querying and reviewing of AutoPlant PDW, PlantSpace 3D, XMpLant, and Triforma 3D components. Other application data will be supported in future releases. Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) can be extended to handle data generated by almost any application (either Bentley or third party).

Can I configure or filter the information presented in the Items dialog and/or the Properties dialog?

The only mechanism provided is that of controlling what properties are displayed in the Element Information dialog.
Specifically, properties can be hidden from view by first selecting the category in which they are displayed, and then marking properties to be displayed or hidden from view from the righ-click pull-down menu. Refer to the "Element Information dialog box" section in the on-line help.

How is Bentley Clash Resolution in Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) activated and licensed?

Clash Resolution is initially available running in a pre-activated trial mode. It will run in trial mode for up to 29 days following the first use. To license Clash Resolution you must obtain a Bentley Clash Resolution Visa. For more
information:

How is Bentley Schedule Simulation in Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) activated and licensed?

Schedule Simulation is initially available running in a pre-activated trial mode. It will run in trial mode for up to 29 days following the first use. To license Schedule Simulation you must obtain a Bentley Schedule Simulation Visa. For more information:

Will a no cost version be offered and under what conditions?

A no cost version will be available to all Bentley SELECT subscribers and their designated partners.

What are the changes to DWG file format support in
Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4)?

Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) now includes the Autodesk® RealDWG™ libraries, which provide the highest levels of fidelity possible when working with DWG™ files. Due to this change Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) has the same level of support that all applications based on Autodesk RealDWG libraries will have as a baseline. Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) also provides some unique benefits not available to other Autodesk RealDWG-based applications and will provide more in the future.

Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) leverages Autodesk® and other third-party object enablers to display content
stored in a DWG file that is created by an application that requires an object enabler. There are two types of object enabler "experiences" in Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4), depending on the object enablers that are loaded on your PC.

When using an Autodesk Object Enabler:

When using a Bentley Enhanced Object Enabler:

Why are the RealDWG libraries installed as a separate update?

To provide you with greater flexibility, the Autodesk® RealDWG™ libraries are delivered as separate installable updates. This allows you to configure your Bentley Navigator installation with the libraries that are required for the projects you work on and to allow you to update the libraries on your schedule. Each version of Bentley Navigator
supports a single or multiple versions of the Autodesk® RealDWG™ libraries, depending on what is current at the time of Bentley Navigator release.

Bentley periodically makes new versions of the Autodesk® RealDWG™ libraries available on SELECT downloads and documents which versions of the Autodesk® RealDWG™ libraries are compatible with specific versions of Bentley Navigator.

Does Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) support LIDAR point cloud data?

Yes, Bentley Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 4) includes the Pointools Vortex™ engine which provides fast, efficient display and manipulation of point cloud data. Refer to the product Help for additional details.

Does Clash Resolution support the Point Cloud tools?

No, at this time, detecting clashes between elements and point clouds is not supported. When using Item Sets and Schedule Simulation with point clouds, you cannot set color overrides. In these cases, the colors of point clouds can be changed only through the Point Clouds Presentation panel of the View Attributes dialog.