2012

Import MicroStation DGN Files
You can import MicroStation
®
DGN drawing files into DWG files.
The import process translates basic DGN data into the corresponding DWG
file data. There are several translation options to determine how certain data
such as text elements and external references are handled. Users can not only
manipulate text elements and xrefs, but also select the conversion units based
on DGN unit settings, and most importantly, preview the default mapping
translation or create and use their own mapping setups (see DGNMAPPING).
Exchanging and reusing basic drawing data is useful in collaborative projects.
For example, service organizations such as AEC and design-build firms might
need to import mapping data created with MicroStation into a site plan created
with an AutoCAD-based product. The DGN data can serve as an accurate
reference for creating the site plan.
NOTE DGNIMPORT is not limited to files with *.dgn extensions. It supports all
DGN files, even those that do not have a .dgn extension.
Understand the Limitations
The DGN import and export capabilities are designed to provide a fundamental
exchange of information between MicroStation V7/V8 DGN files and AutoCAD
DWG files. However, translating data from one format to a completely different
format inevitably require compromises and substitutions.
■ Simple geometric objects such as lines, arcs, and circles, and properties
such as layer assignments correlate directly between the DWG and DGN
data formats.
■ Data with built-in features or variations are visually approximated. For
example, text and dimensions might have specialized formatting, and
color definitions might be customized.
■ Some data cannot be translated completely. For example, product-specific
features such as data fields or dynamic blocks can be represented visually
but not behaviorally.
■ AutoCAD only supports colors for lines so all entities in the DGN file that
have a color property set for a symbol in MicroStation lose the symbol
color when imported as a block.
■ When importing DGN files that contain multilines, any linetypes associated
with the multilines do not display.
1352 | Chapter 34 Work with Data in Other Formats