topic Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD in AutoCAD Forum

Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 19:29:40 GMT

I am rather new to AutoCAD so there may be some simple solution to this that I do not know of, but when importing an old .dgn file to a .dwg file using AutoCAD, there seems to be text issues consistently. The main issues are as follows:

1) Fractions for line sizes such as 1/2" will show as a question mark when imported as a dgn into AutoCAD.

2) The text lines are often misaligned when imported as a dgn into AutoCAD.

I have tried using Microstation, but that did not work and the question marks and text alignment issues were still present. I am just looking for a possible solution so I do not have to manually change 100 lines of text in each P&ID I need to edit. They are also all different line sizes so a find and replace option will not be ideal. I also cannot release the files as they are confidential, but I will attach a snip of the issues for clarity.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

pendean — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:07:12 GMT

1) the custom font used in MS was lost in translation most likely. Redefine your STYLE.
2) same as #1 above: font substitutions due to missing font files will do that.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:15:56 GMT

Thanks for the help. This does get rid of the question marks, but the fractions that were once there that got lost in translation did not reappear as the fractions they once were. Is there any way to restore them or will it have to be a manual input still? I have attached the same snip for clarification.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

ChicagoLooper — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:18:22 GMT

What's the name of the font used in Microstation? Does AutoCAD have the same font? And does AutoCAD call the font by the same name?

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:47:45 GMT

In Microstation, for this particular document, it says the font is "STANDARD". When I look at the style that is giving me errors when I import it to AutoCAD, it says "dgn000.shx".

I am still very new to this, so I could be going about it wrong. I will attach a snip of the text style box.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:49:10 GMT

Here is the text style pop out box.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

ChicagoLooper — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 21:00:56 GMT

Hi @kane_smith8VEPF

Try changing the Font style to RomanS

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:25:07 GMT

I changed the fonts to romans.shx and the question marks are still there it seems.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

Valentin_CAD — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 12:48:53 GMT

@kane_smith8VEPF ,

Consider exporting your DGN as a DXF.

Then open the DXF in AutoCAD and save as DWG. From here you can insert it or xref.

@kane_smith8VEPF wrote:

... I have tried using Microstation, but that did not work and the question marks and text alignment issues were still present. ...

If that is the case, consider using a different Font in Microstation - before exporting it as a DXF.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 12:38:51 GMT

There does not seem to be a DXF export option for me. Is it because I have a different version?

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

ChicagoLooper — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 12:42:46 GMT

Your image shows export FROM AutoCad.
What you need is export FROM Microstation.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

pendean — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 12:51:17 GMT

@kane_smith8VEPF wrote:

I changed the fonts to romans.shx and the question marks are still there it seems.

99.9% of the time, simply selecting a random replacement SHX font is never going to be a solution: sorry.

Find where that original missing SHX file is from Microstation and place it into AutoCAD's font folder. to use.

OR... replace all of your fractions manually since your export from Microstation was a fail.

Consider asking fellow Microstation users how to solve that most-likely common problem, they have user forums too, here is the link https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/f/microstation-forum

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 13:29:52 GMT

I used Microstation to convert to DXF, and then saved as a DWG in AutoCAD, but the question marks remained and the alignment got messed up. I attached a snip of the issue.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

Valentin_CAD — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 13:48:22 GMT

@kane_smith8VEPF ,

In the DWG Save Options >General > Fonts > check on Convert MicroStation fonts to AutoCAD fonts. This will save the fonts to a .shx.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:02:04 GMT

I do not know my way very well around Microstation. When I go to the save as option in there, I do not see the pop out box you have shown. I have attached a snip of what I see when I hit save as. I apologize for my lack of knowledge regarding this as it may make it more difficult to explain.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

Valentin_CAD — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:12:24 GMT

@kane_smith8VEPF ,

Take a snip when you Export as DXF as shown below.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:23:40 GMT

It takes me to the same page. From Microstation, I go to File>Export>DWG or DXF>Save as AutoCAD Drawing File (pop out box I have attached)

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

Valentin_CAD — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:32:41 GMT

@kane_smith8VEPF ,

You are using Microstation J which may not have that option.

Consider using Microstation V8 or V8i.

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

pendean — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:34:44 GMT

Consider asking fellow Microstation users how to solve this most common problem, they have user forums too, here is the link https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/f/microstation-forum

Re: Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:40:32 GMT

It seems like the version of Microstation I have is the issue, I will try to upgrade and see if that works. Thanks everyone for the help.