Home > Supported File Formats > SOLIDWORKS to DGN

How to convert SOLIDWORKS (.sldasm,.sldprt) 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.

SOLIDWORKS

Since the mid-1990s SOLIDWORKS has dominated the mid-tier MCAD solids modelling market amongst its closest rivals of ProE/Creo, Unigraphics NX, Autodesk Inventor and Solid Edge.

SOLIDWORKS has been Okino's #1 most requested and used MCAD importer (outside of STEP and IGES) for well over 25 years. We do not use reverse engineered technology, as commonly used by other companies, but rather license the real and actual runtime system from SOLIDWORKS Corporation on a yearly basis. This has allowed our SOLIDWORKS importer to remain entirely error free for over 25 years and is incredible fast to import and convert the most massive of assemblies.

Conversion from SOLIDWORKS is best handled via native .sldasm and .sldasm files, or equally well via STEP AP204 or "IGES BREP solids".

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.

SOLIDWORKS import converter's overview

DGN export converter's overview