Importing DGN files as Blocks

Use the ImportDGN command to insert content from DGN files (DesiGN files) as Blocks into drawings. Files of type .dgn originate from MicroStation® or other CAD software. Supported versions include DGN V7 and V8.

If the DGN file contains multiple Design Models, you can select the model to insert.

You can also convert large numbers of files automatically using the batch processing feature.

This topic discusses how to:

• Import DGN files as Blocks.
• Set preferences for converting DGN files to drawing Blocks.
• Convert DGN files to DWG files in a batch operation.

To import DGN files as Blocks:

1. Click Insert > DGN Import (or type ImportDGN).
2. Type ImportDGN at the command prompt.
3. In the DGN Import dialog box, under Mode, select Insert as Block.
4. Under DGN File, click Browse.
5. In the Open dialog box, select a DGN file, and click Open.

   In the DGN Import dialog box, information displays under DGN file:

   • Name. Displays the complete path and name of the DGN file you selected.
   • Path. Displays the complete path to the DGN files referenced in the Block you create from the DGN file.
6. If the DGN file contains multiple Design Models, select the model to insert as a Block.

   In DGN files, a drawing can be separated into Design Models which are individual workspaces where design geometry is defined.

7. In Conversion units, specify whether unit conversion uses Master units or Sub units as its base. The measurement units defined in the DGN file appear in brackets.

   Master units and sub units express a relationship between applicable measurement units such as feet and inches or meters and millimeters. Sub units cannot be larger than master units. The selected units are converted one-to-one into drawing units.

8. Under Scale, type a scale factor, or select Specify later to specify the scaling in the graphics area after you close the dialog box.

   The initial scale factor is set according to the ratio of units (master unit or sub unit) specified in the DGN file to the units used in the current drawing.

9. Under Rotation, for Angle, type a value or select Specify later to set the rotation angle in the graphics area during insertion.
10. Click Options to set preferences for the convertion of DGN files to Block insertions (see below).
11. Click OK.
12. In the graphics area, specify the insertion point for Blocks originating from the specified DGN file.
13. Specify scale factor and rotation angle, if needed.

  Note: To break a Block into its component entities, use the Explode command.

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To set preferences for converting DGN files to drawing Blocks:

1. Click Insert > DGN Import (or type ImportDGN).
2. Type ImportDGN at the command prompt.
3. Click Options.
4. In the dialog box, specify whether to Explode text node to text elements.

   If selected, text node entities in DGN files are converted to SimpleNotes, otherwise they are converted to Notes.

   Text nodes are multiline text entities similar to Notes.

5. Click Close.

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To convert DGN files to DWG files in a batch operation:

1. Click Insert > DGN Import (or type ImportDGN).
2. Type ImportDGN at the command prompt.
3. In the dialog box, under Mode, select Batch Processing.
4. In the dialog box, select Batch Processing.
5. Specify whether unit conversion uses Master units or Sub units as its base. The measurement units defined in the DGN file appear in brackets.

   Master units and sub units express a relationship between applicable measurement units such as feet and inches or meters and millimeters. Sub units cannot be larger than master units. The selected units are converted one-to-one into drawing units.

6. In DGN files:
   1. Click Browse to specify a Source Path that contains the DGN files to convert to DWG files.
   2. Click Browse to specify a Destination Path where the resulting DWG files are stored.
7. In DGN files:
   1. Click Source to specify a Source Path that contains the DGN files to convert to DWG files.
   2. Click Destination to specify a Destination Path where the resulting DWG files are stored.
8. In the Files list, select the DGN files to convert during batch processing.
9. Click OK to start batch processing of the specified files.
10. Click Start to start batch processing of the specified files.

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Access

Command: ImportDGN

Menu: Insert > DGN Import