Home > Supported File Formats > ACIS SAT to DGN

How to convert ACIS SAT (.sat,.sab) to DGN (MicroStation)?

PolyTrans|CAD+DCC performs mathematically precise CAD, DCC/Animation, GIS and BIM 3D file conversions into all key downstream 3D packages and file formats. Okino software is used and trusted throughout the world by many tens of thousands of 3D professionals in mission & production critical environments, backed by respectable personal support directly from our core development team.

ACIS SAT

ACIS 'SAT' (ASCII) and 'SAB' (binary) are the native 3D file formats of the Spatial ACIS solids modelling toolkit. Spatial licenses this toolkit to third party developers upon which they can develop their own 3D software and/or converters.

From Okino's own perspective, the ACIS SAT file format was more prevalent and popular in the late 1990s and into the early 2000s. However, thereafter, several major software vendors moved off of the ACIS platform and onto other alternative platforms to build their software. We really do not have any of our customers utilize the SAT file format anymore as there are better or more native methods to source such MCAD data (such as STEP, IGES and Parasolid).

DGN

DGN is a 2D/3D file format, with its roots going back to the early 1980s, that is used as the native file format of such programs as Bentley's MicroStation and Intergraph's PDS software packages. Relative to deep history, DGN could be considered a competitor or rival to the Autodesk DWG file format. Okino considers both DGN and DWG rather "crude" and old file formats, depending on what vintage of file is used and whether the files contain ACIS-SAT/Parasolid "BREP solids" geometry or just 2D/3D vector geometry.

Okino considers a DGN V8 file to be of two varieties: (1) "GIS" like models defined using basic primitives like lines, curves, arcs and 3D objects defined by the extrusion and revolution of these basic elements - these types of files are typically glutted with an enormous number of basic elements which can result in massive scenes that can very slow to display and take up a lot of memory. (2) The second variety of DGN file uses the more modern "BREP solids" geometry type to define the 3D objects as lighter weight and more efficient NURBS surfaces and solids.

Okino spent over 20 years developing its DGN importers and exporters. As such, we understand the nuances of DGN and its related conversion issues. Please refer to our DGN importer WEB page which has extensive information on (1) the history of DGN and when to use DGN, (2) how to import massive DGN files (such as PDMS 3D plants, oil refineries, etc), (3) how to import from AVEVA PDMS and Intergraph PDS, and (4) our suggestions about using STEP or VRML2 as alternative conversion methods from Bentley's MicroStation.

ACIS SAT import converter's overview

DGN export converter's overview