Digital Signatures Digitally Signing with MicroStation (Plan Sheets) In MicroStation, digitally signing a model or file can be used to indicate approval of the design. Another user can then detect the signature, verify the signer s identity, and verify that the design has not been changed since it was signed. Model-specific signatures are displayed graphically in the context of the design. Multiple signatures can be affixed to a single file or model. Hierarchical signing is also supported so that one signature is dependent upon prior signatures. A signature can cover the content of a model or file and all of its references including DGN and DWG references. MicroStation has implemented the digitally signing of individual drawing files with the use of public key infrastructure (PKI) technology (for an explanation of the PKI technology, go to the following Microsoft web page: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/windows2000serv/evaluate/featfunc/pkiintro.mspx ). Visual verification of the authenticity of the signature is also provided by MicroStation. When a file or any of its referenced files is changed, MicroStation will place an X through the graphics that represent the signature. This X will show in the printed output with MicroStation printing and with Iplot. MicroStation can digitally sign a model in the file by the use of a signature cell (graphic) or the entire file by applying a file signature that includes all models in the file (not displayed graphically). A signature cell is really just a cell with a hidden digital signature attached to it. It is created and managed as a normal cell in a cell library. It is then placed in the model that is being signed. The signature cell can contain raster and/or vector graphics. The cell library containing the signature cell will have digital rights applied to it to allow access to the file only by the owner of the digital signature. More information on MicroStation digital signatures can be found in the MicroStation help by going to Help>Contents>Administrator Guide>Digital Rights Technology>Digital Signatures. Procedure for creating signature cell from sample cell library Follow instructions from Signature Cell Creation.pdf file Procedure for creating signature cell from a scanned image Open the cell library with MicroStation Open the Models dialog and navigate to the model (or cell) that you want to add the signature graphic to Import the graphic (typically the scan of the seal or signature) into the model o Make sure the active level is SHT: Signatures for all elements in the cell o Use an image that is a bitmap tiff format with a black background (inverted). If the image is inverted, toggle on the transparent background when the image is added.
o After import ensure the following: working units of the cell library are correct stamp size is 1 ½ inches diameter signature cell is based on 1:1 Scale signature cell is oriented at the origin (xy=0,0) the graphic will print correctly by testing it with iplot the cell is a point cell if using MicroStationXM (this will alleviate rotation problems that the cell will have with the image) Invoke the Digital Signature Tool (Tools>Digital Signatures) Sign the cell with a Hidden Model Signature Select your personal certificate The cell is now ready to be used to sign DGN content. Add digital rights protection with your certificate to the cell library if you want to prevent others from editing and using your cell library
Procedure for signing a sheet file Open MicroStation with a sheet file that needs to be signed Before placing the signature cell, make sure all edits have been completed, including changing the signature date on the plan sheets, and that the save settings on exit option in the MicroStation preferences is toggled off (a save settings execution will register as a change to the file) Place a signature cell in the signature block (Tools>Digital Signatures, select Place Signature Cell) o Attach the library that was used to store the signature cell o Select the cell to place o Check the box to include references (required on sheet files) o Set the scale to match the drawing scale, if different than 1:1 scale o Enter purpose and expiry, if desired o Check the Dependent Signature box if reliant on other signatures For the Dependent Signature box to highlight, you need to select the signatures that your signature will be dependent on o Place the cell
Procedure for signing a title sheet or cover sheet file Open the cell library that contains the electronic seal cell with MicroStation o Open the model for the seal and change the date to the current date o Revalidate the model signature since a change was made to the cell Open the title sheet or cover sheet with MicroStation Before placing the signature cell, make sure all edits have been completed and that the save settings on exit option in the MicroStation preferences is toggled off (a save settings execution will register as a change to the file) Place a signature cell in the signature block (Tools>Digital Signatures, select Place Signature Cell) o Attach the library that was used to store the seal and signature cells o Select the seal cell to place in the file (snap to the place seal here text for placement location) o Ensure the scale of the drawing is set to 1:1 scale o Enter purpose and expiry, if desired o Check the Dependent Signature box if reliant on other signatures For the Dependent Signature box to highlight, you need to select the signatures that your signature will be dependent on o Place the cell o Repeat using the signature cell and snapping to the midpoint of the bottom of the box where it specifies place signature here Pass the signed file on to other people that need to add their seal and signature Return the finished file to the lead engineer for inclusion into the plan set
Procedure for creating a pdf file with InterPlot Organizer Open InterPlot Organizer Create or open existing.ips file Select File>Export to PDF o In the PDF Options area, select the PDF Format Configuration button o Toggle on the desired options If you use the Levels/Files (Optional Content) toggle, make sure the Print as Created option is selected (this will force the pdf to print the way it was created and not allow a level/file to be disabled in the adobe viewer). CAUTION: Using this toggle will slow down the responsiveness of the pdf file when opened. o Select OK Select the Create PDF button Save the file using the project number as the file name Make a copy of the pdf file with _public added to the file name Procedure for certifying and signing a pdf file with Adobe Acrobat Open the projectnumber.pdf file with Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional o Make the file capable of being signed with Adobe Reader by selecting Enable Usage Rights in Adobe Reader from the Advanced menu o Save the file o Right click on the Design Engineer signature field and select Certify with visible signature o Select your appearance that has your signature graphic with the current date o Choose Form fill-in and digital signatures in the Permitted Changes after Certifying field o Fill-in other fields as desired and then select Sign Forward the certified file to the Preconstruction Engineer for his/her digital signature (can be placed with Adobe Reader)