Convert Civil 3d model to dgn

[MohamedR.Nasreldeen]

Hi,

Could anyone give me a structured and enhanced workflow to convert Civil 3d models ( contains civil objects like pipes, structures, corridors...etc) to 3d dgn file format, I need the objects to be properly exported as 3d objects not 2d plain.

Thanks in advance

[Udo_Huebner]

Does the receiver use Bentley Microstation with InRoads?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZQLV5UV3UI

Do you want to deliver real surface and alignments?

Perhaps LandXML Export is better then writing DGN file.

[MohamedR.Nasreldeen]

again, I'm not talking about a specific element to be converted. What I points to is converting an entire civil 3d project with any kind of content (pipes, structures, alignments, cad layout....etc) to dgn format with keeping the 3d objects definitions 

[andrewofabley]

@MohamedR.Nasreldeen 

Post some sample data?

[MohamedR.Nasreldeen]

This is a very high sample for the seek of testing, it's similar to what I need

[Neilw_05]

Export to Autocad will convert all the C3D objects to plain 3D Autocad entities. See the File Export options. From there you can open the DWG in Ustn and save as DGN. 

[MohamedR.Nasreldeen]

@Neilw_05 

Would you further explain? Appreciate if you give me the steps in detail

[ChicagoLooper]

Have you tried using DGNEXPORT command?

sample_1.png

[Neilw_05]

I ran some tests on the file you posted. Here is what I found:

The export tools I tried (export to DWG, export to DGN) resulted in the C3D objects being converted to 2D graphics.

One solution is to first explode the C3D objects, then SaveAs to a new file. I aved to 2007 DWG and when I open it in Microstation v8i the objects are 3D shared cells. When dropped they become basic DGN elements (pipes and structures are smart solids, corridor becomes 3D lines).

When exploding the C3D objects, be sure to do them all at once. Otherwise you will lose dependent objects. For example, if you explode an alignment, the profiles and profile views will disappear. If you explode them all at once they will become blocks.

[_Hathaway]

The short answer is no, you cannot convert the file from dwg to dgn and have any sort of true functionality with the Civil3d objects.  A conversion may look good, but it won't have any of the functionality the DGN user will need.  Think of it as an exploded block...it looks good but really isn't.   The only thing we convert from DGN to DWG is plain old linework defining the right of way, property lines, etc.... If it needs to be delivered in functional DGN format it must be done in DGN format from the start.   I feel your pain as Bentley workflows are horrendous with very little information out there about specific question/issues.

[jmayo-EE]

To get C3D 'model' data to Open or Inroads did you try the Data Translator? It should be an install from the Desktop app.

[Neilw_05]

I misunderstood your goal. I thought you only wanted dumb 3D graphics. I see you later said you wanted all the C3D functionality such as pipes and surfaces. A DGN file cannot store those types of objects on it's own and have the same functionality as Civil 3D. It needs some application that can create and use them such as OpenRoads, InRoads, Geopak, etc. Those products have their own workflows for importing data from other applications such as C3D, so you will need to consider which application is going to be using the data you are exporting from Civil 3D.

[MohamedR.Nasreldeen · Accepted solution]

@Neilw_05 

What you understood was right, I just wanted 3d object to be shown in dgn format as it's correct 3d geometry and information if possible.

anyway, I finally got it done. you just have to open the civil 3d model from openbuldings or openroads and save it as dgn format and that's it.

Thanks all for your help

[Javad.samiiY6YPJ]

Good one, never tried before

[Leah_CliffeC4R2H]

I found a way to resolve this - you can convert the .dwg file to .ifc and then import it into MicroStation, the model will retain all of the 3D entities.

[Javad.samiiY6YPJ]

That's a good solution, how about a 3d model from DGN to DWG specially surfaces?