Convert DWG to DGN

[gfielden]

I work for Caltrans in California. We use Microstaion, version "J" and occasionally receive Autocad files that we need to convert for use in Microsation. We have been having a great deal of trouble on trying to do this. If we receive files with xrefs and viewports, they seem to be nearly impossible to convert over. I have been using Acad for nearly 20 years and MS for 4. Anyone know the best way (or a way) to go about it?

greg fielden

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

To get the ball rolling, have a browse of the following threads -

Microstation to AutoCAD Compatability

converting autocad to microstation

AutoCAD to Microstation

cad conversions

Microstation ?'s

Have a good one, Mike

[SteveChestnut]

Hi Greg,

I too work with AutoCAD and Microstation. Some of the drawings I translate to .DGN
are complicated 3D AutoCAD drawings where the plans and elevations in the layout
consist of many xrefs to 3D equipment models. Microstation can go crazy when
importing something like this. I've come up with a workaround.

- Make several copies of the AutoCAD file I want to translate.

- Separate the text from the linework. Modify one drawing to be nothing but
the text and another drawing to be nothing but the linework.

- The drawing that's nothing but text you should be able to import into Microstation
with little problem.

- Now call up the linework only drawing. Plot the drawing but plot it to an .EPS file.
You'll either need to plot with no lineweight or explode your polylines.

- There is a free download I use to convert the .EPS file I created through plotting
to a .DXF file. You'll need to go to http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/gsview/
and download both GSview and Ghostscript. After you install the downloads open
the .EPS file with Ghostview. Under the Edit menu you'll see Convert to vector format.
Use this to convert the .EPS to .DXF

- Now import the .DXF into a 2nd Microstation file. Open either the text or linework
.DGN file and reference the other. From here you can merge your reference in and
then scale the drawing to reset your distances correctly.

This is a kind of crude way of getting something translated but there have been times
when it's been my only option. I hope this helps.

Take care,
Steve

[ameriewhite]

I just found one AutoDWG DGN DWG converter, and I'm going to have a try. Wish me a good luck.

[rkmcswain]

One more note... AutoCAD has included the DGNEXPORT command for a few versions now.

[ameriewhite]

One more note... AutoCAD has included the DGNEXPORT command for a few versions now.

Thank you rkmcswain, the converter form AutoDWG converts only DGN to DWG but not DWG to DGN. I just found the batch conversion of DGN to DWG form AutoDWG may help me sometimes, so this is a good thing to me. Also thank you for your note, but my AutoCAD does not recoginize "dgnexport" command.

[rkmcswain]

...but my AutoCAD does not recoginize "dgnexport" command.

What version of AutoCAD are you running?

[ameriewhite]

What version of AutoCAD are you running?

It's a 2004.

[rkmcswain]

It's a 2004.

DGNEXPORT was added in 2008.

[ameriewhite]

Thank you, but I think I will not update it to a 2008 AutoCAD.