Importing DGN Files

You can import content from DesiGN files as Blocks into drawings. You can import a single file or multiple files by using the batch processing method.

Files of type .dgn originate from MicroStation® or other CAD software. Supported versions include DGN V7 and V8.

To import content from DGN files:

  1. Do one of the following:
    1. On the ribbon, from Drafting and Annotation, click Import > DGN.
    2. Enter IMPORTDGN at the command prompt.
  2. Optional: To import content from a single DGN file:
    1. Under Mode, select Insert as Block.
    2. Optional. If the drawing contains text, select Explode text node into text element to break up the text into individual entities.
    3. Click Browse to navigate to the source DGN file, and click Open.
    4. If the DGN file contains multiple models, under Select design model, select the model to import.
    5. For SVG file units, select Master units or Sub units as its base.
      Master units and sub units describe a relationship between measurements units such as feet and inches or meters and millimeters. Sub units cannot be larger than master units. Units are converted one-to-one into drawing units.
    6. In Convert drawing to, specify the measurement units for the Block.
    7. Define Position, Scale, and Rotation or click Specify Later to define these values in the drawing after closing the dialog box.

      The initial scale factor is defined according to the ratio of master units or sub units in the DGN file to the units used in the drawing.

      For counterclockwise rotation, enter a positive value. For clockwise rotation, enter a negative value.

  3. To import content from multiple DGN files:
    1. Under Mode, select Batch Processing.
    2. Optional. If the drawing contains text, select Explode text node into text element to break up the text into individual entities.
    3. For Source Path, click Browse, navigate to the folder containing the source DGN files, and click Select Folder.
    4. Under DGN Files, select the files you do not want to include in the batch processing.
    5. For Destination Path, click Browse, navigate to a folder to store the batch file, and click Select Folder.
  4. Click OK.
In the graphics area, use the crosshair to insert the Block originating from the DGN content.