The Python programming language gives users the unlimited ability to create whatever they want in MicroStation. More tools and automations allow users to increase the number of tasks they complete within MicroStation.

Python is easy to read and use in MicroStation with a scripting interface or Python Assistant (Tech preview).

Using Python in MicroStation:

• Use Python programming language to create tools and automate mundane, repetitive tasks.
• Python is excellent for beginners, and uses a simple syntax, comparable to the English language, making coding easier.
• Python Assistant makes it easier to use Python programming language in MicroStation.
• Python Assistant helps to customize MicroStation functionality without being an expert at programing.
• Providing partial and complete scripts is now much easier with a Python Assistant.

MicroStation has replaced Bing Maps with high-quality Google 2D Maps, trusted by billions. Use it within MicroStation for next-generation design precision.

Google Maps helps MicroStation users enhance their infrastructure designs with instant real-world site context—zoom in on project areas with precise aerial imagery and make confident, context-aware design choices.

Using Google Maps in MicroStation:

• Bentley and Google are partnering to bring live, global context to infrastructure projects—so you can design in sync with the real world.
• Google 2D background map within MicroStation displays high-quality, recent geospatial context.
• Quickly view up-to-date roads, land parcels, and landmarks—within the design environment—to reduce guesswork and improve stakeholder confidence.
• We’re replacing Bing with Google Maps to bring you the most trusted, high-resolution, and frequently updated map data—built for better decisions.

MicroStation’s support of the 3D Tiles format brings powerful 3D geospatial context to enhance users’ infrastructure design process. 3D Tiles is a streamable, optimized, open standards format created by Cesium, a company acquired by Bentley in 2024. It taps the potential of today’s ever-growing collection of 3D geospatial data.

MicroStation’s support of 3D Tiles enables the use of Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles, a 3D mesh textured with high resolution imagery. They offer high-resolution 3D maps in many of the world’s populated areas.

Using 3D Tiles in MicroStation:

• Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles power immersive 3D visualization experiences.
• Use Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles to navigate to a location, understand an area, evaluate new places to make decisions, and understand how the real-world changes.
• Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles for models of over 2,500 cities in 49 countries improve accuracy, planning, and decision-making with fast, scalable data.
• 3D Tiles increases interoperability between any solution, software, or platform that can read and write 3D Tiles formats.
• Provide a powerful 3D geospatial experience for the built and natural environment.

Geospatial context has been added to the MicroStation Python API. Geospatial context refers to the broader understanding and interpretation of geographic information about a location. MicroStation users can now write Python scripts to work with geospatial context.

Python’s simplicity and MicroStation’s comprehensive design capabilities are a powerful combination. Python scripts can automate tasks and include geospatial context. This saves time, reduces errors, and improves the visualization of designs.

Using Python with geospatial context:

• Using geospatial context when designing infrastructure projects can provide valuable insights.
  Identify the most suitable locations for projects.
• Analyze geographic data, land use, and environmental factors.
• See how your project connects with existing infrastructure, such as roads, railways, and utilities.
• Assess the potential environmental impact of your project. Examine nearby natural features, wildlife habitats, and water bodies.
• Analyze how your project will affect local communities. Consider access to services, changes in traffic patterns, and potential displacement.
• Evaluate risks such as flood zones, earthquake-prone areas, and other natural hazards. Ensure the safety and resilience of your project.
• Plan the efficient use of resources. Map out the locations of materials, labor, and equipment.

MicroStation supports Esri file geodatabase. MicroStation users can share their design into the Esri file geodatabase format, and import data from Esri. This feature is in the MicroStation 2024.2 and 2025 releases.

By integrating live GIS data sources directly into the design environment, users now have access to a wide range of contextual data natively in MicroStation—informing the design process to help reduce costly reworks or design delays.

Expanded geospatial context:

• Esri is the leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping.
• Esri + MicroStation—The world’s leading GIS software working with the world’s leading infrastructure CAD software.
• Esri file geodatabase is a geospatial data format that stores and manages spatial and nonspatial data. It stores various types of geographic data, including nonspatial tables, feature classes, feature datasets, and raster datasets.
• Esri file geodatabase stores, queries, and manages spatial and nonspatial data within a structured framework.
• Esri file geodatabase serves as a data format for organizing and storing geographic information.
• Files in the Esri file geodatabase typically have a .gdb extension.
• Improved interoperability between design environment and GIS.
• Direct data sharing and updates enable smooth collaboration between CAD and GIS users and ensures data consistency.
• Save time and effort with streamlined processes and improved project workflows.

Performance of design workflows and capabilities is enhanced.

Workflows and interoperability improved by:

• IFC export in MicroStation converts building models into the IFC format, widely used in BIM, for open, standardized data sharing across industry technologies.
• Conditional Expressions performance enhancement means much faster processing time leading to increased productivity.
• C++20 programming language allows users to benefit from its major new features.
• RealDWG 2026, the latest version of Autodesk’s software development kit (SDK), provides DWG/DXF access and ensures compatibility with AutoCAD.
• The new River Bridge Example dataset is georeferenced and demonstrates the new geospatial context tools enabling users to learn the geospatial workflows.