Are you looking to edit DGN files in AutoCAD? You’ve come to the right place!
In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of editing DGN files using AutoCAD. Let’s get started!
What is a DGN file?
A DGN (Design) file is a format used by Bentley Systems’ MicroStation CAD software. It contains 2D/3D design data, including geometry, text, and attributes. While AutoCAD uses the DWG format as its default, it is possible to work with DGN files in AutoCAD.
Importing a DGN file
To edit a DGN file in AutoCAD, you first need to import it into your drawing. Here’s how:
- Open AutoCAD: Launch your AutoCAD software on your computer.
- Create a new drawing: Start a new drawing by selecting ‘New’ from the File menu or using the ‘New’ command.
- Import the DGN file: Go to the File menu and select ‘Import’ or use the ‘IMPORT’ command. In the dialog box that appears, navigate to the location of your DGN file and select it.
- Select options: After selecting your DGN file, you will be presented with import options.
Make sure to review and adjust these options according to your requirements.
- Specify insertion point and scale: Next, specify the insertion point and scale for your imported file. This will determine where and how big the DGN file will be in your drawing.
- Click OK: Once you have set all the necessary options, click ‘OK’ to import the DGN file into your AutoCAD drawing.
Editing a DGN file
Now that you have imported the DGN file into your AutoCAD drawing, it’s time to make edits. Here are some common editing operations:
- Modify geometry: Use AutoCAD’s editing commands to modify the geometry of the imported DGN file. You can move, rotate, scale, trim, extend, and perform various other operations on the elements.
- Edit attributes: If your DGN file contains attributes, you can edit them using AutoCAD’s attribute editing tools.
This allows you to update text values or change attribute properties as needed.
- Add annotations: Use AutoCAD’s annotation tools to add text, dimensions, leaders, and other annotations to your DGN file. This helps in providing additional information or clarifying certain aspects of the design.
- Apply layers: Organize your edits by assigning different parts of the DGN file to separate layers. This allows for better control over visibility and makes it easier to manage complex designs.
- Save your changes: Once you have finished editing the DGN file, save your changes by using either the ‘SAVE’ or ‘SAVEAS’ command in AutoCAD.
Exporting as a DGN file (optional)
If you need to export your edited drawing back into a DGN format, AutoCAD provides an option for that too. Here’s how:
- Select ‘Export’: Go to the File menu and select ‘Export’ or use the ‘EXPORT’ command in AutoCAD.
- Choose DGN as the file format: In the export dialog box, choose ‘DGN’ as the file format you want to export to.
- Specify export options: Depending on your requirements, you may need to specify additional options such as level of detail, units, and other settings.
- Select destination and export: Finally, choose the destination folder where you want to save the exported DGN file and click ‘Save’ or ‘Export’ to complete the process.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we explored how to edit DGN files in AutoCAD. We learned how to import a DGN file into AutoCAD, make edits using various tools and commands, and optionally export our changes back into a DGN format.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to work with DGN files seamlessly in AutoCAD. Happy editing!
Remember that practice makes perfect when it comes to working with different file formats in AutoCAD. So don’t hesitate to experiment with different features and commands to find what works best for your specific needs.