How to Print White in MicroStation?

Understanding Color Output in MicroStation

MicroStation users may encounter challenges when printing designs that require specific colors, particularly when it comes to how certain colors appear on paper. The fundamental aspect to recognize is how MicroStation interprets color data, especially white.

Default Color Settings Explained

When working within MicroStation V8, the default color attributed to "white" is color 0. However, printing this color does not yield the expected result; it appears black on the printed output. This is a default setting intended for compatibility with various plotting devices. Conversely, files formatted in DWG or DXF utilize color 7 to represent white, which necessitates additional manipulation within MicroStation to ensure accurate printing.

Steps to Print White Correctly in MicroStation

1. Access the Print Options:

   • Open your MicroStation application and load the file you want to print.
   • Navigate to the menu and click on File, then select Print.

2. Select the Appropriate Printer Driver:

   • In the Print dialog box that appears, choose File followed by Select Bentley Driver.
   • Opt for an appropriate printer configuration, such as pltcfg, hpgl2.pltcfg, or pdf.pltcfg, that matches your desired output.

3. Adjust Color Maps:

   • Open the Print dialog again and select Edit Printer Driver Configuration.
   • Navigate to the Color Maps tab. This area allows you to customize how colors are interpreted during printing.

4. Modify White Color Output:

   • Locate the setting for color 0 (white) in the Color Maps. Change its output to a color that will print as expected. You might consider substituting it with color 255 (black) during printing if black backgrounds are acceptable.
5. Finalize Print Settings:
   • After the adjustments, verify all other print settings, including paper size and orientation, and ensure all configurations are correct.
   • Click on OK to initiate the print process.

Converting Raster Images to Black and White

If you are dealing with raster images and need them to print in grayscale:

1. Access Raster Options:

   • In the Print dialog, find the Raster Options section.

2. Enable Grayscale:

   • Select the option to Plot raster references in grayscale.
3. Adjust Brightness and Contrast:
   • Modify the brightness and contrast settings to achieve the desired output quality.

Managing References and Color Overrides

To effectively manage references and color outputs:

1. Open Level Manager:

   • Access the Level Manager from the menu. This is where you can manage visibility and color settings for different levels in your design.
2. Select and Edit References:
   • Choose the reference you want to adjust. Click on the dropdown menu to toggle between ‘ByLevel’ and ‘Overrides’.
   • Set the desired color for the reference to ensure it prints as intended, not defaulting to black.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my printed output appear different from what I see on the screen?
Printed output can differ due to the printer’s interpretations of color data. Make sure to check the color settings and modify the pen table accordingly to ensure your printouts match your expectations.

2. Can I print a PDF with specific color settings in MicroStation?
Absolutely. When printing to PDF, you can adjust the pen table settings and color mappings, selecting how you want each color to appear on the PDF, including changing default white settings.

3. How can I revert back to default color settings after making changes?
To revert to default settings, simply access the Color Maps in the Print dialog, and reset any modified colors to their original values. If any pen tables were altered, load the default pen table again.