Microstation to AutoCAD Compatibility

[kelliott]

One of our upcoming projects will be to work with a client that uses Microstation. We are using AutoCAD 2002. I know Microstation can save to DWG format. I also am aware that Microstation views layers as levels and is only capable of 63 levels. Aside from these minimal issues I am wondering if there are any other issues I should be aware of. Are there any websites I can go to that review translation issues between these programs?

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

If using MicroStation V8 the 63 Level issue is a thing of the past; V8 has become very AutoCAD like.

Have a browse of the following threads (especially take note of links within) -

AutoCAD to Microstation (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=4503)

Exporting Layouts to MicroStation V8 (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=8251)

Microstation ?'s (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=8575)

cad conversions (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=7593)

Have a good one, Mike

[rtorres]

If you plan to work in AutoCAD :neutral: and send your client AutoCAD files for them to open in MicroStation, then you're main issue will be plotting.

The line weight graphics may be an issue.
In other words, walls in plans which may be a heavy lineweight may not plot as such in Microstation. Detials, section cuts may not read well either.
A "TBL" file may need to be setup in MicroStation to translation your colors to MicroStation weights.

Special fonts used in AutoCAD for dims, notes, and linestyles may disappear.
MicroStation V8 addresses some of these issues of lineweights but special fonts (non-native fonts) are not addressed. And defintely becomes a bigger issue in "earlier" releases of MicorStation with reference to custom fonts.
MicroStation V8 is only supplied with fonts that come out of the box of AutoCAD.
Earlier versions of MicroStation require a "TBL" file to be setup to match up your special fonts (from autoCAD) to an equivalent font in MicroStation (if any).

In terms of editing files in Microstation J or earlier (NOT V8 ), associative patterns may not work. Associative dims may fall into this catagory too.

Sometimes it's just best to "explode" everything and purge all nested blocks before opening an AutoCAD file in MicroStation.

Just a couple of land mines to be aware of.
Sorry.

Later & good luck.

[Maverick91]

Printing is still a mystery in Microstation (yuk!) for me.:screwy: But also for me, one of our major clients is all Microstation (yuk!)

[steven.a.chestnut]

Hello Kelliot,

Have you tried contacting the CAD Manager at your client's office to see if they
can offer you advice and guidelines? In my office the majority of CAD seats are Microstation while most of our vendors work in AutoCAD. It makes my day when a vendor contacts me before the job is closed out and asks if we can test my ability to read some of their DWGS. This gives us a chance to work out any problems and translation issues early. I'd suggest you talk to your customer about what they want and what you can give them.

Steve