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DgnImport

Imports DGN design files (created by Microstation from Bentley Systems) as entities.

Accessing the Command

Keyboard: dgnimport
Menu: File | Import, and then select DGN format

: DgnImport

Displays the Import dialog box:

  1. Choose a DGN file.
  2. Click Open. BricsCAD converts the Microstation elements into BricsCAD entities using the settings described below.

 

Command Options

Option Description
 File name Chose a DGN file from the dialog box
 Open Opens the selected DGN file in the current drawing as entities, such as lines and blocks
 Cancel Cancels the operation

 

Microstation Jargon

Microstation has its own vocabulary:

Microstation Term

BricsCAD Equivalent Term
Element Entity or object
Shape, complex shape Polyline
Text node Empty text field to be filled in later
Design model Model space
Active model Current view of the model
Sheet model Paper space
Cell Block
Level Layer
Resource files Support files, such as fonts and line types
Line style Linetype

If an element (entity) is filled, then BricsCAD makes a hatch of it.

Microstation assigns color numbers to colors that are different from BricsCAD's color numbers. and so BricsCAD attempts to match colors from the DGN color table with a color in the DWG color table; if no match is found, the DGN color is saved as an RGB value.


DGN Settings

Settings determine how this command converts design files to DWG format. In the Settings dialog box, search for "DgnImp":

 

Setting

Description
DgnImp2dClosedBSplineCurveImportMode
Determines how to convert closed 2D b-splines: 
  • 0 - convert to spline (default)
  • 1 - convert to region
DgnImp2dEllipseImportMode2D
Determines how to convert ellipses: 
  • 0 - convert to ellipse (default)
  • 1 - convert to region
DgnImp2dShapeImportMode
Determines how to convert 2D shapes and 2D complex shapes:  
  • 0 - convert to polyline (default)
  • 1 - convert to region
  • 2 - convert to polyface mesh

Microstation uses the words “shape” and “complex shape” for polyline elements. 
DgnImp3dClosedBSplineCurveImportMode
Determines how to convert closed 3D b-spline curves:
  • 0 - convert to spline
  • 1 - convert to region (default)
DgnImp3dEllipseImportMode
Determines how to convert 3D ellipses: 
  • 0 - convert to ellipse (default)
  • 1 - convert to region
DgnImp3dObjectImportMode
Determines how to convert 3D elements: 
  • 0 - convert to polyface mesh (default)
  • 1 - convert to a 3D solid or body

Microstation uses the word "element" for entities or objects.
DgnImp3dShapeImportMode
Determines how to convert 3D shapes and 3D complex shapes: 
  • 0 - convert to polyline
  • 1 - convert to region (default)
  • 2 - convert to polyface mesh

A Microstation "shape" and "complex shape" is like a polyline in BricsCAD.
DgnImpBreakDimensionAssociation
Determines if dimensions loose their associativity upon import: 
  • 0 - associativity is maintained (default)
  • 1 - dimension associations are broken
DgnImpConvertDgnColorIndicesToTrueColors
Determines how Microstation colors are mapped to BricsCAD colors: 
  • 0 - converts DGN color indices to DWG color indices
  • 1 - converts DGN color indices to RGB true colors (default)
Microstation assigns color numbers to colors that are different from BricsCAD:
  1. BricsCAD gets the color from the DGN color table
  2. Then it attempts to match it with a color in the DWG color table.
  3. If no match is found, the DGN color is saved as an RGB (true color index) value.
DgnImpConvertEmptyDataFieldsToSpaces
Determines how empty field values are handled:
  • 0 - replaced by underscore symbols ( _ )
  • 1 - replaced by space symbols (  ) (default)
DgnImpEraseUnusedResources
Determines how to import unreferenced elements, such as text styles and linetypes: 
  • 0 - import unreferenced elements (default)
  • 1 - erase unreferenced imported items 
DgnImpExplodeTextNodes
Determines how to handle text nodes (empty text fields): 
  • 0 - convert them to multiline text (default)
  • 1 - convert them to simple entities, such as text and lines
Microstation uses text nodes as empty fields that are used to reserve space for text that will be added later, and so the length of the text is not yet known.
DgnImpImportActiveModelToModelSpace
Determines how active spaces are handled:
  • 0 - import active models to model space first, and then attach the design model from model table
  • 1 - import the active model to model space (default)
Microstation uses the phrase “design model” for model space, and “active model” for the current view of a model.
DgnImpImportInvisibleElements
Determines how invisible elements (entities) are handled: 
  • 0 - skip invisible DGN elements
  • 1 - import invisible them as invisible entities  (default)
DgnImpImportPaperSpaceModels
Determines how to import sheet models (paper space): 
  • 0 - import one DGN model to model space only
  • 1 - import all DGN sheet models to paper space layouts (default)
Microstation uses the phrase “sheet model” for paper space.
DgnImpImportViewIndex
Determines DGN view settings: 
  • 0 through 7 - specifies level mask
  • -1 - view is not defined  
Microstation uses the word “level” for layers; a "mask" hides content in areas or levels/layers.
DgnImpRecomputeDimensionsAfterImport

Determines how to handle dimensions:

  • 0 - create DGN-style dimension geometry blocks (default)
  • 1 - re-compute all dimensions to create DWG dimension geometry blocks
DgnImpSymbolResourceFiles
Specifies the paths to folders holding DGN and RSC files
 
Microstation uses RSC resource files to store fonts, line styles, and so on.
DgnImpXRefImportMode 

Determines how to import reference attachments: 

  • 0 - don’t import DGN reference attachments
  • 1 - convert attached DGN files to DWG-style xref files
  • 2 - create a block definition of the attached DGN file, then create a block reference (default)
  • 3 - attach the DGN references as underlays
Microstation uses the word “cell” for blocks.


Related Commands

Import - imports files in a variety of file formats.

 

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