Importing Microstation 3D files into Archicad 10, Possible?

[Anonymous]

Hi!

Does anybody know if it´s possible to open or merge Microstation .dgn 3D files into Archicad 10, or creating a GDL objekt from it, as you can do with .dwg 3D files?

[Eduardo Rolon]

You can always save your DGN file to dwg or 3ds, although this does not answer you specific question.

[Thomas Holm]

Arhicad 10 still has the option of opening a "Microstation Design File" although I haven't tested it.

A few versions ago (I think it was AC7) , I did. My conclusion was that it would be useful only for a fast check of the contents of such a file, should you not know in advance. I have reason to believe that there has been no change in fuctionality since then, the reason being Microstation's included DWG capabilities.

My recommendation remains to use Microstation's DWG conversion tools to save the DGN as a DWG and then import that into Archicad the way you want. Archicad's DWG import options give so much better control over pens, scaling, layers etc.

But note that AC10's dwg import in build 815/817 (the released Windows and MacPPC versions) is buggy as noted elsewhere in this forum. If you rely on this capability, wait for the first Hotfix to AC10. Also, I hear that this issue is fixed in the AC10 MacIntel version just released.

[Rakela Raul]

i think the dgn files get imported in 2d only

[Anonymous]

Rakela wrote:
i think the dgn files get imported in 2d only

Graphisoft should pay more attention over Microstation transfering data procedures. With a tool like AC10, it´s a lack of vision not to provide correct 3d export and import to and from Microstation, since Bentley´s software is a core product which communicates to PDS, PDMS and other major plant design packs. THis resource should be mandatory in order to achieve prestige upon this BIM industry, and could make market expand to architects dealing with big engineering companies.
Nonetheless, we are still waiting....

[__archiben]

renato wrote:
Graphisoft should pay more attention over Microstation transfering data procedures. With a tool like AC10, it´s a lack of vision not to provide correct 3d export and import to and from Microstation, since Bentley´s software is a core product which communicates to PDS, PDMS and other major plant design packs. THis resource should be mandatory in order to achieve prestige upon this BIM industry, and could make market expand to architects dealing with big engineering companies.
Nonetheless, we are still waiting....

renato, see my reply to your other post here:

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=64736&highlight=#64736

~/archiben

[Anonymous]

Dear All - IFC - A Light at the Tunnel End,,,,

I refer to the Microstation / AC10 transfer subjects again:
I have just received some IFC 2x files from our Microstation / Bentley Dealer in the following sequence: We have modelled a large industrial building, which is part of a huge masterplan site, on the AC10 and sent it via IFC to MIcrostation Architecture / Triforma. The file was entirely understood by Bentley´s package. Then, we asked them to create a dgn file fron that, which they did. Unfortunately, the AC10 did not bring the 3D information for its 3D window, that is a weak point of it for sure,,,its lack of ability to open 3d geometries and work over it. But, then, we asked those guys to write the dgn back to IFC and tried to open it up on AC10 again, VOILLÀ....it´s done,,,the geometric information, and the rest of relevant stuff were perfectly, as it was handled in AC10 from the very first beggining. Then...we have tested the so called IFC world and it seems to work...You´ll probably laugh about my conclusion, but I think AC10 will be saved by IFC in the future, against those major players. Anyway, I still ask GS guys to provide a way of bringing back DGN/DWG files to the AC as 3D, not as shamed and flatted 2D information..But, I am happy for now.....

[Thomas Holm]

Renato,

as I wrote before - but not as clear - I would see no good in Graphsoftis developers using their limited resources on providing full DGN compatibility today.

Since Microstation v7 (I think it was) Bentley has advertised Microstation's "native" DWG capabilities, effectively obsoleting their own DGN format as a transfer format.

I think GS are doing the right thing, concentrating on IFC compatibility and doing what they're forced to towards DWG.

[Anonymous]

Dear Thomas

I may agree with you about the DWG over DGN. In fact, Bentley seems to manipulate the DWGs much better than Autodesk does. Nevertheless, the DWG are not handled as 3D inside AC core, which is definetively an AC weakness. So, may we suggest GS guys provide at least a way to manipulate 3D geometries directly, instead of very limited GSM, which is unuseful for many procedures like terrain, equipment basic geometrics, to name a few.
When you have to input data upon very complex sites, using PDS, PDMS or another clash detection industrial softwares, (which is not the most AC users business, I know) you´ll see Microstation is the core of most of heavy weight pack softwares for geoprocessing, railway, AEC huge constructions, mechanical equipment and so. But, what we need is to put the venerable AC 10 face to face with major brands wanting just our money. As an architect, I believe AC is by far the most stimulating tool I have ever tried and I want it to be strong enough. By now its amazing to see what we are doing with a pack 10 times cheaper than PDS or PDMS. There are a couple of guys wanting me dead or alive and we are having fun. Thanx for you attention, I´d appeciated to much....