Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF
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Message 1 of 22

Problems converting .DGN to .DWG in AUTOCAD

kane_smith8VEPF
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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.

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Message 2 of 22

pendean
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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.
Message 3 of 22

kane_smith8VEPF
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Participant

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.

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Message 4 of 22

ChicagoLooper
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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?

 

Chicagolooper

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Message 5 of 22

kane_smith8VEPF
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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.

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Message 6 of 22

kane_smith8VEPF
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Here is the text style pop out box.

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Message 7 of 22

ChicagoLooper
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Hi @kane_smith8VEPF 

Try changing the Font style to RomanS

 

101.PNG

Chicagolooper

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Message 8 of 22

kane_smith8VEPF
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I changed the fonts to romans.shx and the question marks are still there it seems.

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Message 9 of 22

Valentin_CAD
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@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.

 

ValentinWSP_2-1687350002894.png

 

 


@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.



Select the "Mark as Solution" if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Seleccione "Marcar como solución" si mi publicación resuelve o responde a su pregunta.


Emilio Valentin

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Message 10 of 22

kane_smith8VEPF
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There does not seem to be a DXF export option for me. Is it because I have a different version?

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Message 11 of 22

ChicagoLooper
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Mentor

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

Chicagolooper

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Message 12 of 22

pendean
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@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 

 

 

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Message 13 of 22

kane_smith8VEPF
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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.

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Message 14 of 22

Valentin_CAD
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@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.

 

ValentinWSP_1-1687355298922.png

 

 



Select the "Mark as Solution" if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Seleccione "Marcar como solución" si mi publicación resuelve o responde a su pregunta.


Emilio Valentin

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Message 15 of 22

kane_smith8VEPF
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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.

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Message 16 of 22

Valentin_CAD
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@kane_smith8VEPF ,

 

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

 

ValentinWSP_0-1687356539872.png

 



Select the "Mark as Solution" if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Seleccione "Marcar como solución" si mi publicación resuelve o responde a su pregunta.


Emilio Valentin

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Message 17 of 22

kane_smith8VEPF
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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)

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Message 18 of 22

Valentin_CAD
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@kane_smith8VEPF ,

 

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

 

Consider using Microstation V8 or V8i.

 

 



Select the "Mark as Solution" if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Seleccione "Marcar como solución" si mi publicación resuelve o responde a su pregunta.


Emilio Valentin

Message 19 of 22

pendean
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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 

Message 20 of 22

kane_smith8VEPF
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Participant

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.

 

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