Collaboration / Translation from AutoCAD to Microstation 8

[Anonymous]

Looking at a project where the client requires translation of the
autocad drawings to microstation 8. I did some research and found out
that microstation 8 has a "work as dwg" mode and directly opens dwg
files to do this. This is not what this client/project requires.
They want us to translate the autocad to microstation "dgn" files.
Does anyone know what the issues are and do you have any links for
info on the internet or to white papers?

I found an article on the internet by Michael Siers discussing in
detail translation issues but they are for autocad to an earlier
version of microstation... and it is not relevant to my question.

To anyone responding (and moderators take note): Please do not
respond with messages comparing autocad to microstation. Take any
discussion over to the "alt cad" newsgroups.

Thanks,

Tom

Thomas E. Momeyer, AIA, CCS

[Anonymous]

You can save a dwg directly to a dgn from within V8
or you can use AutoCAD Map and convert (not as clean)
Can't imagine why your client is making you jump through these hoops - they
have all the tools they need to do this in-house-unless they are actually
wanting you to convert your files over to a pre-existing CAD std that was
developed for Microstation. Then it starts to get more problematic.....

Jim L.


"Tom Momeyer" wrote in message
news:6c4rgvs0nudb9j4ggt592qaq490qvpd9t9@4ax.com...
> Looking at a project where the client requires translation of the
> autocad drawings to microstation 8. I did some research and found out
> that microstation 8 has a "work as dwg" mode and directly opens dwg
> files to do this. This is not what this client/project requires.
> They want us to translate the autocad to microstation "dgn" files.
> Does anyone know what the issues are and do you have any links for
> info on the internet or to white papers?
>
> I found an article on the internet by Michael Siers discussing in
> detail translation issues but they are for autocad to an earlier
> version of microstation... and it is not relevant to my question.
>
> To anyone responding (and moderators take note): Please do not
> respond with messages comparing autocad to microstation. Take any
> discussion over to the "alt cad" newsgroups.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tom
>
> Thomas E. Momeyer, AIA, CCS

[Anonymous]

Jim,

>You can save a dwg directly to a dgn from within V8

Yep.. in this case the client has microstation and we have autocad and
no microstation, therefore, I can't save a dwg to dgn. Their
requirement for "electronic deliverables" is dgn format!

>or you can use AutoCAD Map and convert (not as clean)

OK, thanks for the info. But, don't have Map!

>Can't imagine why your client is making you jump through these hoops - they
>have all the tools they need to do this in-house-unless they are actually
>wanting you to convert your files over to a pre-existing CAD std that was
>developed for Microstation. Then it starts to get more problematic.....

I'm in process of getting the client specs for "electronic
deliverables" but I was told that they would not accept "dwgs" that it
is our responsibility to translate from dwg to dgn. Could be because
this is a military project. I looked at dgnlink and cats conversion
software on the internet and they range from approx $1000 - $3000.
Other option may be to use a service bureau for conversion.

Thanks,

Tom

Thomas E. Momeyer, AIA, CCS

[Anonymous]

See Shawn Pikes reply to the thread just prior to this....

"Re: Microstation DGN Viewer"

This may be all you need as a short term band-aid.

BTW - we looked @ CATS and talked to a number of people that use it -
expensive, big setup time....
but with a great deal of work and diligence, the ability to come up with
some pretty clean translations.
People that report the best luck "dumb down" their AutoCAD files to R12
level.

Good luck,

Jim L.

"Tom Momeyer" wrote in message
news:8b7rgvo2uc5c6vgrn4gsp9lsnrtt3g6fn0@4ax.com...
> Jim,
>
> >You can save a dwg directly to a dgn from within V8
>
> Yep.. in this case the client has microstation and we have autocad and
> no microstation, therefore, I can't save a dwg to dgn. Their
> requirement for "electronic deliverables" is dgn format!
> Tom
>
> Thomas E. Momeyer, AIA, CCS

[Anonymous]

You can always dxf.

[Anonymous]

The MAP add-on for AutoCAD is in the 600-700 range.


Some things I've run across in the conversion process (we have both here, More AutoCAD though) . . . .

Blocks/cells don't seem to convert very nicely.
Layer/level naming is somewhat of a chore.
Text styles are also another problem.

For what It's worth, it seems to be easier to convert from DWG to DGN, than to go the other way. Not sure of why this
is the case. The data structure in AutoCAD seems to be more congealed than Microstation, which I think has more of a
add-on type of architecture that has occurred over time, where as autocad seems to have more of a integrated environment.


bobb

[Anonymous]

Tom,
Take it from me, it is going to be a headache no matter what you do. The
best product is CATS from Decision Graphics in Huntsville, AL (if they are
still around).

--
Regards,
---------------
Reid M. Addis
Registered Architect
Architectural Applications Specialist
Granary Associates
411 North 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Ph. 215-665-7056
email: addis@granaryassoc.com