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Categories Collaboration
Created by Guest
Created on Jan 27, 2021

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Merged idea
This idea has been merged into another idea. To comment or vote on this idea, please visit MS-I-617 Pdf Referencing: Hypermodeling-enhanced.

PDF: Embedding geo-referencing data Merged

It would be great if the PDF printer could embed some georeferencing position, scaling and orientation info... like geotiffs
This way, applications like Synchro Control, Mstn etc can insert / Ref attach the pdfs automagically.
This seems to be a common problem for collaboration tools across the board. Assemble, Revizto, Dalux, BIMTrack, StreamBIM, BIMx all allow pdf overlays but struggle with the same problem since the info ideally needs to be produced and embeded by the publisher's app.
This would also be a great synergistic tool that would help on the iTwins side... by providing smart pdf overlaying functionality to anyone using iTwins Design Review for example.

  • Admin
    Marjolaine Cayer
    Apr 2, 2026

    Hi,
    MicroStation can generate a GeoPDF file that includes coordinate system information, making the PDF geolocated.

    To create a GeoPDF in MicroStation, you need to enable the georeferencing option within the printer driver configuration. Here are the general steps:

    Creating a GeoPDF in MicroStation

    1. Assign a Coordinate System: Before you can export a GeoPDF, your design file in MicroStation must have a geographic coordinate system (GCS) assigned to it. This ensures that the location data is embedded in the PDF.

    2. Use the Print Function: The process of creating a GeoPDF is done through the "Print" command in MicroStation.

    3. Select and Copy the PDF Printer Driver

    In the Print dialog, select the standard pdf.pltcfg printer driver. This default driver is typically stored in a protected system folder and is read-only to prevent accidental changes.

    To edit its properties, you must first create an editable copy:

    • With pdf.pltcfg selected, go to the File menu within the Print dialog and choose Copy Printer Driver Configuration.

    • Save the copy with a new name (for example, GeoPDF.pltcfg) in a project folder or another location where you have write permissions.

    • Your new, editable driver (GeoPDF.pltcfg) will now be available in the printer driver list. Select this new driver to proceed with the next step.

    1. Enable Georeferencing in Your Copied Driver

    • From the Print dialog, ensure your newly created driver (e.g., GeoPDF.pltcfg) is selected.

    • Go to the File menu and select Edit Printer Driver Configuration.

    • In the configuration settings, navigate to the Driver Properties tab and set the "Enable Georeferencing" option to On.

    • Save and close the configuration file.

    Hope this helps!
    Marjolaine Cayer
    Product Manager I, Power Platform

    Reply