Creating a DGN File from the Current Drawing

You can export the current DWG file to a DGN file (DesiGN format). Supported versions include DGN V8.

The ExportDGN command lets you configure export options and save the current drawing to a DGN file.

When exporting to DGN, a seed file is necessary. Seed files are template DGN files that contain settings and attributes.

The export process converts DWG entities, such as geometric entities, layers, or line styles and colors into the corresponding DGN levels, linetypes and colors.

Before starting the export process, plan the following:

• How to handle external references (if there are any)
• How to handle DGN underlays (if there are any)
• DWG to DGN mapping configuration

You can use the default mapping conversion setups or define new ones. The DGNMapping command lets you manage mapping configuration setups.

DWG to DGN Conversion Table

When exporting DWG files to DGN files, the data from DWG files translates to corresponding data in DGN files. The table below describes how each type of data converts between DWG and DGN files.

DWG	DGN	Remarks
2D Geometric Entities	2D Geometric Elements	-
Layers	Levels	Special characters in layer names convert to spaces in DGN level names.
Colors	Colors	Colors from the DWG file are mapped to their equivalents or, if needed, to a default color.
Line Styles	Line Styles	Standard DWG line styles convert to the closest line styles in DGN files. Custom line styles may only partially convert.
Blocks	Cells	Custom block properties and block attributes may only partially convert.
Simple Note and Note	Text and Text Node	Text entities are exported to the DGN file, but editing the text may have varying results.
Table	Table	Table entities are exported as cell entities, composed of lines and text.
Field	Field	Field values are exported as fixed value text.
Dimension	Dimension	Dimension values and associativity are preserved in the DGN file.
Image	Image	The following image file types are exported: .bmp, .cal, .tif, .png, .tga, .jpg, .gif, .rlc, .bil and .pcx.
DWG Reference	DGN Reference	DWG references and nested DWG references are exported as follows, depending on the option that you specify in the DGN Export dialog box: Individual DGN files Merged into the main DGN file Not exported
Proxy Entity	-	Proxy entities are exported to the DGN file.
3D Entity	-	3D entities are exported to the DGN file. 3D solids are not exported.

Note: When unsupported entities occur during the export, a message appears and you can choose how to proceed.

To export the current drawing to a DGN file:

1. Click File > Export > DGN Export (or type ExportDGN).
2. In the DGN Export dialog box, in Name, specify the complete path and name for the DGN file. Click Browse to navigate to a new location.
3. In DWG References, specify how to handle DWG References:
   • Convert all DWG references to DGN files. Exports all referenced drawings and the nested files into DGN files at the same location as the main DGN file. DGN files have the same names as the original DWG files, but use the *.dgn extension. The export process detects if files with the same name already exist. You can decide whether to overwrite existing files or not.
   • Bind all DWG references into main DGN file. Exports the main drawing file and the referenced and nested drawing files in a single DGN file.
   • Ignore DWG references. Only exports entities from the main drawing and ignores referenced files.
4. In DGN References, specify how to handle DGN underlays:
   • Export DGN underlay as references. When enabled, exports referenced files as individual block entities and the main DWG file as a single DGN file.
5. In Specify seed file, specify a template file to use for the export. Do the following:
   • Select a predefined seed file from the list.

     - or -

     Click Select seed file to locate a custom seed file on your computer.

6. Specify whether unit conversion uses Master units or Sub units as its base.

   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 measurement units defined in the DGN file display as default.

   If an instance of the specified DGN file is already referenced in the drawing, unit selection is unavailable.

7. In DWG to DGN mapping, specify a mapping setup:
   • In Mapping Setup, select from a list of existing mapping setups or click DGN mapping setup manager to create a new one. See DGN Mapping Setups Manager dialog box.

     The Mapping setup preview area displays a preview of the mapping setup that you specified in the Mapping setup section.

8. Click OK.

Access

Command: ExportDGN

Menu: File > Export > DGN Export