Developers who want to embed or extend functionality in MicroStation and Bentley products can easily do so with available APIs and SDKs.
Download the MicroStation SDK by clicking on the button below (free registration required, which entitles you to tips, tricks, feature clips, giveaways, promotions, and other FREE Bentley products.)
MDL provides libraries that allow for seamless integration of professional quality applications with MicroStation and Bentley products. It is the recommended way to access MicroStation V8 DGN files with full fidelity. MDL facilitates development of applications by providing consistent functionality and capabilities across the products on which they run. MDL can be used to develop simple utilities, customized commands or sophisticated commercial applications for vertical markets.
MDL is used by Bentley's developers to incorporate modular functionality into the product and includes programming utilities and various libraries, which are all included with the MicroStation SDK.
MicroStation V8 can also host and interface with a variety of programs and applications written in C, C++, C#, and Visual Basic.
MicroStation VBA, the MicroStation V8 implementation of the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications engine, one of the most popular programming environments in the world, provides MicroStation users (as well as developers) with a large number of capabilities -- from easy customization to tight integration with other Windows applications.
The MicroStationDGN object library is a powerful development platform to build upon, access, and integrate within your solutions.
More information on MDL, MicroStation VBA, and other Bentley product APIs and SDKs can be obtained from SELECTservices Online.
Other sources of technical information for developers include:
Additional resources and options are available for commercial and in-house development.