Import MicroStation V8 DGN Files
 
 
 

You can import MicroStation. V8 DGN drawing files into DWG files.

The import process translates basic DGN data into the corresponding DWG data. There are several translation options to determine how certain data such as text elements and external references are handled.

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.

Understand the Limitations

The DGN import and export capabilities are designed to provide a fundamental exchange of information between MicroStation V8 DGN files and AutoCAD DWG files. However, translating data from one format to a completely different format inevitably require compromises and substitutions.

See the DGNIMPORT Conversion Tablefor specific details about the scope of importing MicroStation objects and other data.

See the DGNIMPORT Unit Mapping Tablefor specific details about unit conversions when importing MicroStation objects.

Recommendations

To optimize the data transfer from the MicroStation. V8 DGN file format, request that the creator of the MicroStation drawings consider the following recommendations:

When importing a DGN file, specify the conversion units (master units or sub-units) based on the DWG file's drawing units. For example, if you receive a DGN file with master units set to meters, and sub-units set to millimeters, and you need the drawing units of the DWG file to be in meters, then select master units in the Import DGN Settings dialog box. This matches the meters in the DGN file to the meters in the DWG file.

NoteExisting DWG files are not overwritten when new DWG files are generated by this command. In some cases, this can lead to unexpected results. For example, if you import the same DGN file more than once using different unit settings, the first set of generated DWG files are not overwritten and they will use their original units setting