Thanks, but nothing happened.

Did you get any message here like the above?

No

Only other things I can think of are checking if the levels are locked? Also what is on the levels concerned the properties should tell you. Can you post an example so people can take a look?

Brilliant! Thank you for your help :-)

Have done so Mary. Unfortunately it's common that issues that affect a lot of people are often not logged. Everyone thinks that someone else had been logging it.

Product: MicroStation Version: 08.11.09.459 Environment: N\A Area: DWG Subarea: Open Error or Warning Message Unable to locate and open seed file required to open this file. Check the MS_TRANSEED configuration variable." Explanation Attempting to open DWG / DXF or a master file a referenced DWG / DXF file. How to Avoid Option #1- Define the MS_TRANSEED Variable Go to Workspace > Configuration > Seed Files category Look up "DWG Seed File" Click "Select" Browse to the location of a valid transeed file Save configuration Option #2 - Reset settings Go to path defined by MS_DWGDATA for example by following key in: $ % explorer $(MS_DWGDATA) Close MicroStation Delete dwgsettings.rsc file This file will be regenerated the next time a file is converted to DWG or DWG file is open and "Options" button is invoked and making a change to the settings. Option #3 - Selecting translation seed file From MicroStation Open dialog select DWG / DXF file Click on the Options button Go to the Basic section Go to the "DGN Seed File:" In Value column select the current value and then browse to location of desired seed file Choose the file and click on the "Open" button This will override the path set in MS_TRANSEED variable. See Also: Other Language Sources Deutsch Original Author: Reginald Wallace

Product: MicroStation Version: 08.11.09.459 Environment: N\A Area: Reference Subarea: N\A Problem Description While attempting to attach DWG file with similar coordinate points to the master DGN file the DWG reference attaches in wrong location. When this happens the assumption is the DWG file location point is wrong or that MicroStation is not attaching DWG files correctly. Reason There appears to be a misconception of how DWG and DGN file should line up. When attaching DGN file to another DGN file and the master and reference don’t line up the coordinate points in most cases are different. When the same thing happens attaching a DWG reference file the same thing is assumed; using this method is not a good way to check the reference alignment. Steps to Resolve Option 1 Select the correct seed file Go to DWG Options Under the "Basic" section select DGN seed file that has same working units as master file Set unit setting based on desired units in the DWG file Attach file Option 2 Using seed file master unit Go to DWG Options Under the "Basic" section select DGN seed file that has same working units as master file Set unit setting to "Seed file master unit” Attach file In both of these options the working unit settings in the seed file is being utilitize to determine the unit setting of the attached DWG file. This will ensure that the DWG attachment units will match the current file that the attachment that is being made and properly aligned when the coordinates match. See also AskInga - Working Units and Survey Feet Opening a DWG file & the Units of the design Other language sources Original Author: Regie Wallace

Product: MicroStation Version: V8.1 and above Environment: N\A Area: DWG Subarea: General Document Information Document Type: TechNote Legacy Document Number: 8354 Overview The .pgp file is a text document that contains 240 shortcut commands used in AutoCAD. These shortcut commands allow the AutoCAD user to enter the corresponding letter or group of letters in the command line to initiate a tool, rather than searching for and selecting the corresponding tool icon. For example, enter the letter "c" in the command line, and the place circle tool is initiated. While MicroStation has always had the key-in browser that functions in much the same way, many users have requested the ability to use these AutoCAD commands in MicroStation. Support for these files was implemented in MicroStation V8.1. The user now need only enter the required prefix and the corresponding letter in the key-in browser to initiate the tool. For example, entering \c will initiate the Place Circle tool. (It should be noted that not all 240 native AutoCAD shortcut commands work in MicroStation.) The prefix must be used in the key-in to differentiate between a MicroStation command and an AutoCAD .pgp file command. By default, the prefix is "\". This can be changed by the user by going to Workspace > Configuration > DWG/DXF > DWG Command prefix. You can change the "\" to almost anything you wish. The .pgp file to be used is controlled by the MS_DWG_PGPFILE variable. By default, this variable points to the AutoCAD\Support directory if AutoCAD is installed on the computer. If it is not installed, or if you wish to use a different .pgp file, reset this variable to point to the .pgp file that is to be used. Important Note : MicroStation does supports the use of these files now, however, Bentley and its affiliates WILL NOT supply users with a .pgp file. These are strictly AutoCAD files that are merely supported in MicroStation. Along with the AutoCAD commands, MicroStation commands may also be added to the .pgp file for use in MicroStation. To create a shortcut key-in for this command, open the .pgp file. In the list of shortcuts and commands, you will notice the shortcut command followed by a comma, then the corresponding command prefixed with *. Note that the Circle command shortcut looks like this: C, *CIRCLE Thus, \C entered into the key-in will start the Place Circle tool. This format should be followed for any MicroStation commands to be added with one exception. Instead of the * prefix, the MicroStation key-in command should be enclosed in quotes and the * is not used, but word spaces may be used. For example, the MicroStation key-in used to open the Level Display dialog box is leveldisplay dialog open. To add a shortcut for this command, add the following line to the list of shortcuts in the .pgp file: LD, "LEVELDISPLAY DIALOG OPEN" Save the file and start MicroStation. In the key-in browser enter \LD. The Level Display dialog box will open. You may choose any combination of letters for the shortcut as long as that letter or letters is not already defined in the .pgp file. See also Other language sources Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group

Product: MicroStation Version: V8 i (SELECT Series) Environment: N\A Area: DWG Subarea: General Can I use Autodesk® object enablers? Yes... The object enabler for Autodesk's Architectural Desktop is incorporated into the RealDWG delivery, and you do not have to install it. Other object enablers can be downloaded from their respective vendors and installed. When you are downloading object enablers from Autodesk or other sources, download the Autodesk® RealDWG TM 32-bit version. When you are prompted for a host application, select Bentley V8i (SELECTseries) - Autodesk® RealDWG TM . Can I use 64 bit object enablers? Not currently... Only 32 bit enablers can be installed and used with MicroStation V8i, regardless of Operating System. Some 32 bit enablers may be configured to NOT allow installation in a 64 bit environment. This is normally by choice, by the vendor. If an installer of the 32 bit version of an object enabler does not have an option of installing it in an 64 bit environment, check with the vendor to see for other possible options. Which enablers will work with MicroStation? Below is a chart that explains which RealDWG enablers work with each SELECT Series version of MicroStation. RealDWG Version SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 RealDWG 2009 Yes* Yes* Yes* Yes* RealDWG 2010 Yes Yes no no RealDWG 2012 no no Yes Yes RealDWG 2013 no no Yes Yes RealDWG 2014 no no Yes Yes RealDWG 2015 no no Yes Yes RealDWG 2016 no no Yes# Yes RealDWG 2018 no no no no * Must set MS_REALDWG_VERSION to 2009. # MicroStation V8i (Select Series 3) does not come with RealDWG 2016 as part of installation package. This will need to be downloaded and installed as a separate installation after SS3 is installed. Can I use AutoCAD Civil 3D (32bit) in a 64bit environment? Yes... AutoCAD Civil 3D Object Enabler provides two separate executables. One for 32bit and one for 64bit. I have installed object enablers for Autodesk products, they are not being used by MicroStation? Even if you have previously installed the object enabler to work with AutoCAD, you must go through the object enabler's installation process after you have installed MicroStation, so that it can be found and used by MicroStation. Any object enabler that is installed must match the version of RealDWG that is installed whether delivered from Bentley or provided by another vendor such as Autodesk. I installed the update, can I still use real older versions of RealDWG? Yes... You can add the MS_REALDWG_VERSION configuration variable and use it to revert to older version RealDWG, without having to remove the update from your system. This configuration variable can be used to switch back to desired RealDWG version as well. If you use object enablers of release 2009, 2012, 2013, or 2014, you will have to switch from RealDWG 2016 to RealDWG 2009, RealDWG 2012, RealDWG 2013, or RealDWG 2014 respectively. After installing the Bentley V8i (SELECTseries 1) - Autodesk® RealDWG™ 2010 update why can't I open 2010 formatted DWG files? Once you install this update, MicroStation should be automatically ready to use RealDWG 2010 files. If your product is not automatically ready to use RealDWG 2010 files after you install the update, you must add the MS_REALDWG_VERSION configuration variable and set it to 2010 to enable it. The same configuration variable is used to switch between RealDWG 2010 and RealDWG 2009. I installed Bentley V8i (SELECTseries 1) - Autodesk® RealDWG™ 2010, how do I use 2009 object enablers? Set MS_REALDWG_VERSION to 2009 The default installation will automatically use the highest version of RealDWG, without the variable MS_REALDWG_VERSION being available in your configuration. So if you have installed RealDWG 2016, that version will be 2016 and you should be able to open and save up to AutoCAD 2016 files. How do I set MS_REALDWG_VERSION to use appropriate version of RealDWG? i.e. TO REVERT TO USING REALDWG 2009 Select Workspace > Configuration. Click New. In the Variable field, type MS_REALDWG_VERSION. In the New Value field, type 2009. Click OK twice. In the Alert dialog, click Yes to save the changes to your configuration file. Exit the product and restart it to make the configuration variable take effect. TO REVERT TO USING REALDWG 2010 Select Workspace > Configuration. Select the MS_REALDWG_VERSION configuration variable. Click Edit. In the New Value field, type 2010. Click OK twice. In the Alert dialog, click Yes to save the changes to your configuration file. Exit the product and restart it to make the configuration variable take effect. By removing the variable from the Workspace > Configuration list, the program will revert to the highest version supported for that RealDWG version (in the Configuration window, click the Delete button and then Save and restart MicroStation). See Also RealDWGTM Bentley V8i (SELECTseries 3) - Autodesk® RealDWG(TM) 2014 Readme How to download latest Autodesk REALDWG Other language sources Deutsch Original Author: Dan Abney

Here you will find Information, TechNotes and FAQ's related to i-models Why i-models? click here What’s an i-model? click here What Makes an i-model Unique? click here How Do I Create an i-model? click here How Do I Consume an i-model? click here

Product: MicroStation Version: V8i, CONNECT Environment: N\A Area: DWG Subarea: General The purpose of this article to explain how to create Layout Viewports in a DWG file using MicroStation. First you will need to understand what a viewport is. Next you need to understand the limitations of the DWG file format and how they affect viewport. Then you can understand how to create viewports using MicroStation. What is a Viewport? There are actually two types of viewports in the DWG file format. The Model Viewport and the Layout Viewport. This article is only covering the Layout Viewport. The Layout Viewport can only be found in a paper space layout (sheet model) of the DWG file. You can think of the Viewport as a window frame or portal that allows the elements in the model space (design model) to be displayed in the paper space layout (sheet model). I relate this to placing a sheet of paper over my model and cutting a hole in the sheet of paper so that you can look through the hole and see the model. Keep in mind that you are looking directly at the model and not a picture or reference of the model. What limitations of the DWG file format need to be considered? The DWG format only supports one model space (design model) The layout viewport can only be created in a paper space layout (sheet model). The viewport only displays elements shown in the model space (design model) of the same file. Any layers (levels) turned off globally or globally frozen are turned off throughout the file including in the viewport. You cannot rotate the view in a paper space layout (sheet model) Creating a viewport in a DWG file You need to keep in mind what the eventual outcome is that you are trying to achieve. You want the elements in model space (design model) to be displayed in the paper space layout (sheet model). The way to accomplish this in MicroStation is to reference the Default Design Model directly into a Sheet Model in the same file. You can use the normal references tools to position the reference on the paper, scale it, clip it or rotate the reference. When the DWG drawing file is saved, the reference is wrote to the file as a viewport. Any other references from external files will not be used to create a viewport and will remain as a reference. Creating a viewport when converting a MicroStation file to a DWG file Again, you need to keep in mind what the eventual outcome is that you are trying to achieve, along with the limitations of the DWG file format. Since the DWG file format that you eventually want to go to only supports one Model Space (design model), you want to create the design in the Default Design Model. The Default Design Model is corresponding to the DWG Model Space. You can then reference the Default Design Model into a Sheet Model in the same file. You can have more than one sheet model in the file and it does not matter which sheet model you reference into as long as it is in the same file as the Default Design Model being referenced. You can use the normal references tools to position the reference on the paper, scale it, clip it or rotate the reference. Do not rotate the view in the sheet model, this is not supported in the DWG file format. When the MicroStation drawing file is converted to a DWG drawing, the Default Design Model that is referenced into the Sheet Model, of the same file, is wrote to the DWG file as a viewport. Any other references from any model other than the Default Design Model of the same file will not be used to create a viewport. They will be converted according to the settings in the Save As DWG Options. Helpful Hints The DWG file does have some limitations that don’t exist in the MicroStation file format. It is highly recommended that if the drawing is eventually going to be a DWG file, you should always work within the Limitations of the DWG file format. MicroStation includes a DWG Workmode that disables some advanced MicroStation functionality to ensure that you do not create DWG-incompatible features. DWG workmode is automatically enabled when a DWG file is opened. When you are working in a DGN file, you can also manually set the workmode to DWG. Set the variable MS_WORKMODE = DWG. See also Other language sources Original Author: Rick Ruth

Product: MicroStation Version: V8 2004, XM, V8i, CONNECT Environment: N\A Area: DWG Subarea: General Document Information Document Type: TechNote Legacy Document Number: 8324 MicroStation Term Corresponding AutoCAD Term Notes AccuSnap Osnap Drafting tool for automatic snaps. ACS UCS Coordinate system acronyms. ACS = Auxiliary Coordinate System; UCS = User Coordinate System. Active Depth Elevation ACTIVE LINESTYLESCALE LTSCALE Configuration/system variable used to define the scale of line scale/linetype patterns. Block Rectangle N/A ByLevel setting BYLAYER setting Setting that controls whether color, line weight, and line style are set for each level (layer). Callout bubble Balloon N/A Cell libraries N/A No analogous AutoCAD term. Cells: shared and normal Blocks In AutoCAD, all blocks behave like shared cells. There is no analogy to a normal cell. Configuration variables System variables N/A Design model Model space DWG workmode and AutoCAD allow only one model. MicroStation DGN workmode allows multiple models. DGN file DWG file Native file format for each program. Drop Element Explode Command used to demote element/object types to lower level. For example, cells/blocks can be demoted to geometry. Element Attributes Properties Title for current symbology of elements/objects. Elements Objects N/A Fit View Zoom extents Command for zooming in on all elements currently in the drawing. -"Zoom Extents" area will include layers that have display turned off - MicroStation "Fit" tool will fit only visible geometry. Fence Window Global Freeze/Viewport Freeze (DWG workmode only) Freeze layers In MicroStation, pay attention to the Mode setting in the Level Display dialog box. Handles Grips Vertices on geometry that can be selected and manipulated. Key-in Command line Place for entering commands/variables manually. Levels Layers Both programs have a "Manager" style dialog box for controlling level/layer symbology. MicroStation also has the Level Display dialog box for quick on/off settings. Line styles Linetypes MicroStation standard line codes are not available in DWG workmode. Merge into Master Bind XREF Inserting an external reference into the current drawing. Message Center Text window Place for viewing text messages of program feedback. Nested references Nested references MicroStation lets you control levels of nesting; AutoCAD does not. Parasolid ACIS Native 3D modeling kernel for each program. Patterning Hatching AutoCAD hatching relies on predefined patterns. Pen tables Plot styles AutoCAD CTB and STB files can be imported into MicroStation. Print Plot N/A References References: attachments and overlays AutoCAD references are also known as XREFs (for "eXternal REFerences"). Seed files Template drawing files These files are used as a starting point for newly-created files. They store standard settings. Shape Region N/A Sheet model Drawing layout (paper space) Unlimited sheet models (drawing layouts) allowed in both programs. Smart Line Polyline Polylines can have variable width, as opposed to constant line weight. Tags Attributes In AutoCAD, attributes must be part of a block. Update Redraw View Viewports MicroStation views are more flexible in terms of display attributes and number. View Attributes (Drafting Settings) In AutoCAD, there is no analogy to View Attributes. Some settings are found in the taskbar/drafting settings area. Working units Drawing units MicroStation has a setting on the DWG Open dialog box for Design Center Units. This corresponds to AutoCAD's setting for "Drawing units for DesignCenter blocks". See also Other language sources Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group

Product: MicroStation Version: V8 2004, XM, V8i, CONNECT Environment: N\A Area: DWG Subarea: General Overview In MicroStation V8 it is important to correctly specify the units for a file. Many of MicroStation's tools, such as dimensioning, placing cells and reference files, rely on the file units to work correctly. Unfortunately in many AutoCAD files it is not possible for MicroStation to accurately infer the file units. There are essentially two types of linear units used in AutoCAD as specified by the AutoCAD "LUNITS" variable. Files with Engineering and Architectural (LUNITS =3 & 4) are implicitly English units, feet and inches, so there units are known. The other types, Scientific, Decimal and Fractional (LUNITs = 1, 2 and 5 respectively) do not imply a specific unit of measurement. A second value (INSUNITS) was introduced in AutoCAD 2000 to further specify units and allow for the type of automatic scaling that MicroStation V8 performs when "True Scaling" is specified. Unfortunately the Design Center Units variable (INSUNITS) does not exist in pre-AutoCAD 2000 files and is inconsistently set in many AutoCAD 2000+ files. MicroStation V8 allows the user to either use the Design Center Units specification or to specify units explicitly. Alert Box for Unknown Units An alert box is automatically displayed when a file is opened and the units are not known. There are three circumstances where the dialog will appear. The file is either Decimal, Fractional or Scientific and units other than Design Center have been selected. This would be the most common occurrence. It the units displayed are correct than you can simply hit OK. If you know that the units are correct for all files of this type, select the "Do Not Display" toggle to avoid seeing this alert box again. Design center units have been selected, but are not available or unspecified in the selected file. The file is of type Architectural or Engineering and the units other than inches have been selected. This would only occur if the user explicitly changes the unit setting for Architectural and Engineering files to something other than inches. See also Other language sources Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group

Product: MicroStation Version: V8 Environment: N\A Area: Reference Subarea: N\A Document Information Document Type: TechNote Legacy Document Number: 8335 Overview In general, reference attachments should depend only on the data within the master file and the reference file, and should not depend on outside settings or auxiliary files. However, in certain circumstances, MicroStation Versions 8.0 and 8.1 produced attachments of DWG files referenced to DGN files that were affected by the resolution of the DGN file used as the seed file for opening DWG files. In this case, changing the resolution of that seed file (or substituting a file with different resolution for the seed file) could cause the references to move to different locations - sometimes to the extent that the graphics disappear completely as the geometry is moved to a location that is outside of the reference clip boundary. Symptoms The problem described above occurs only when DWG files are attached as references to DGN master files using MicroStation V8.0 or V8.1. Coincident attachments are not subject to this problem unless the reference is subsequently clipped. Such reference attachments display in the correct location as long as the same translation seed file that was in effect at attachment time is used, but using a translation seed file of a different resolution will cause the references to be dislocated. The seed file referred to above is the one that is listed as "DGN Seed File" circled in the "DWG Open Options" dialog box below. The resolution that is important is the value specified in the "Advanced Unit Settings" dialog when the seed file is opened in MicroStation. Note that only the effective resolution value is important (i.e. 12000 units per foot is equivalent to 1000 per inch). Solution MicroStation Version 8.5 In MicroStation 8.5, the reference file attachment and manipulation tools have been corrected such that the location of any reference created or modified with the 8.5 tools is fixed and will not change if the seed file resolution is altered. These attachments are independent of the seed file resolution and will display in the correct location for any seed file (even with older versions of MicroStation). Correcting Existing Attachments (fixreforigins.ma) To correct references that were attached using MicroStation V8.0 and V8.1, we have written an MDL application called "fixreforigins". Click here to download. Important Note: In order to run this utility it is first necessary to locate and configure MicroStation to use the same seed file (or more precisely the same seed file resolution) that was used when the reference files were originally attached. This means that in order for the utility to fix the reference attachments they must first be displaying in the correct location. Warning: Running fixreforigins.ma on attachments which are not displayed in the correct location will permanently fix the attachments at the wrong location and make it impossible to recover the correct attachment position. To run the application, put fixreforigins.ma in your bentley\program\microstation\mdlapps\ directory, run MicroStation, open the DGN file with DWG attachments and verify that the reference attachments are in their correct locations. Then open the keyin dialog, and type in "mdl load fixreforigins". The utility scans through your references and fixes the origins of all the DWG references. If you want feedback while it is running, you can use the "interactive" mode. In that case it will prompt you before fixing each reference with a dialog box with a query of the form: "Fix origin for Slot 1 attachment file '032a-rax.dwg'?" with Yes, No, and Cancel buttons. If you say Yes, it will make the change. Additional Notes: There are two optional command line arguments: mdl load fixreforigins [-y] [-n] [-f] |-?] [logfilename] 'n' (or no argument) means do not query for each reference 'y' means query for each reference '?' or 'h' shows usages message If you start it with "mdl load fixreforigins" it will change all attachments without asking you. It can only fix the origin for references that it can find. If it can't find the reference, it doesn't know how to fix it. It fixes only DWG references attached to DGN V8 files. Other attachment types do not need to be fixed. It reports the actions it takes to the message center. The number of messages that the message center saves is limited, so you can also have it create a log file by giving the second command line argument as a full file specification. You can use it in conjunction with batch process to process many files. In your command file, just put something like: mdl load fixreforigins d:\tmp\relative.log (or use the 'y' argument if you want it to ask you before it fixes the origins). Before doing a batch process, you should back up your design files in case you don't like the results. See also Other language sources Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group

Product: MicroStation Version: V8i, CONNECT Environment: N\A Area: Interchange Subarea: JT Export a file to JT format including text and dimensions Background When exporting a file to JT format by default only the drawing entities will be included in the export process and text and dimensions will be filtered out. Steps to Accomplish 1. Select the parts of the dgn model that need to be exported in JT format 2. Select "File->Export->JT" 3. Scroll the horizontal bar of the "JT Output" dialog until "Dimensions" and "Text" are displayed and tick them as required for each individual file displayed in the dialog. There should be only one file displayed if there are no references attached and selected for the conversion. 4. Click on "Ok" to complete the file conversion More details about JT conversion options and workflow are explained in the "Menu->JT Exporter Dialog" section of MicroStation's help See also Other language sources Original Author: Marco Salino

Product: MicroStation Version: V8 2004, XM, V8i, CONNECT Environment: N\A Area: DWG Subarea: General Document Information Document Type: TechNote Legacy Document Number: 8240 How line styles are represented in DWG DWG line styles are a subset of MicroStation line styles. Because of this disparity, there are a number of features in MicroStation line styles that do not translate directly to DWG. Some features are lost in the translation, while other line styles will not translate at all. To get a better understanding, consider an AutoCAD line style specification in a .LIN file. A .LIN file is what in used in AutoCAD to import a line style definition; these files can also be used in MicroStation by choosing File > Import in the line style editor. There are 2 types of line styles that can be represented in a .LIN file. First are dash-dots, which are roughly equivalent to MicroStation Strokes: *DashDot,Style with dashes and dots ____ . ____ . ____ . ____ . _ A,.5,-.2,0,-.2 Example of Dash Dot Linestyle in AutoCAD The first line provides the name and description, and the second line provides the definition. The A stands for "Alignment" and must be the first character on the line. It is followed by positive numbers to denote dashes and negative numbers to denote gaps. In this example, the style has a (0.5) unit dash followed by a (0.2) unit gap then a dot (0 length dash) followed by another (0.2) unit gap. A second, more complicated line style type can contain either text from a text style or shapes from an SHX file. Examples are: *DISTWTR,Distilled Water Line -----DIST-----DIST-----DIST-----DIST----- A,.5,-.2,["DIST",STANDARD,S=.1,X=-0.15,Y=-.05],-.25 Example of Distilled Water Linestyle in AutoCAD Detail of "DIST" location in linestyle in AutoCAD *FENCELINE1,Fenceline circle ----0-----0----0-----0----0-----0-- A,0.5,-.2,[CIRC1,ltypeshp.shx,x=-.2,s=-.?],?,? Example of Fence Linestyle The dashes and gaps remain the same as for dash-dot patterns. The items inside the brackets [] define either a text string and a text style name as in DISTWTR, or a shape name and a shape file name as in FENCELINE. You can specify the X and Y offsets, the rotation, and the scale for the text or shape. These features are all that is available in a DWG line type; if you can't specify it in this format, then you can't export it to DWG. Line styles that will not translate: In practice, this means that line styles with the following features can not be exported, and therefore will not appear as available line styles in DWG work mode: Any style with offset lines, such as { Railroad }; Example of Rail Road Linestyle Any style with non-uniform dash thickness, such as { Diamond }; Example of Diamond Linestyle in MicroStation Any style with point symbols at the beginning, middle, or end of the line segment, such as { Arrow } Any style with more than 12 total Dash and/or Gap segments. (31 is max total segment count for DGN) Line style location appearance in DWG Furthermore, DWG only permits cosmetic (as opposed to functional) line styles. Although most line styles fall into this category, some line styles do depend on having specific symbols in specific locations. This is not possible in DWG because all line styles are displayed using a "centering" algorithm. This algorithm does guarantee that there will be dashes on either end of a line, but the location of the symbols is calculated as follows. First, the maximum number of full iterations of the style are centered on the line segment. For example, consider this line type definition used in a file with inches as working units: *StyleX,Set of dashes __ _ __ _ __ A,2,-0.5,1,-0.5 This line style definition is a total of 4 inches long. If you place a line that is 13 inches long using this style, there are 3 whole iterations with a remainder of 1 inch. The extra 1 inch is added to the starting dash, making it 3 inches long. The starting dash is then split in half, with half at the beginning of the line and half at the end of the line. Now if you stretch that line to be 15 inches, the only thing that changes is the length of starting and ending dashes, which will change from 1.5 inches long to 2.5 inches long. 2 lines placed with "Style X" one at 13" and one at 15" The most severe consequence of this alignment style is that all MicroStation line styles will appear with this alignment in DWG files. For compatibility, this method of generating the line style was added to MicroStation and is called "Shift: Centered" in MicroStation's Line Style editor. All other shift types will be translated to this style when converting to DWG. Custom Line Style Editor showing "Shift: Center" option Exporting point symbols Because all point symbols in DWG line styles must be represented as shapes in an SHX shape file, the elements in the point symbol are converted to a shape during the translation. The font file is named dgnlstyle.shx and will appear in your DWG fonts directory just like other fonts. If you want the file to appear in another directory, you can use the following configuration variables: MS_DWG_LSTYLE_FONTPATH determines the location for the font file. MS_DWG_LSTYLE_FONTNAME determines the name of the font file (and therefore the name of the font). Each symbol in the font file will start with the name of the resource file, up to 10 characters, followed by an underscore and the name of the symbol. For instance, the example line style { Ground Line } resides in lstyle.rsc and contains a point symbol "ground". The resulting symbol is named LSTYLE_GROUND. This convention is used so that symbols can be reused for different line styles and files. Point Symbol Behavior previous to MicroStation V8.1 In all MicroStation versions previous to 8.1 the behavior of the line style system was to reject any line style that can not be accurately represented by a .LIN file. If this tighter limitation is desired, it can be achieved by disabling the capability CAPABILITY_ALLOW_NON_SHX_STYLES. Alternative line style strategies - styles that will not export Some line styles won't export due to the limitations in the DWG line style system. When these are encountered, they can be handled several ways. First, the Save As remap facility will allow you to change any line style to any other line style by name. The only caveat to this is that some line styles in .LIN files require a text style to be present in the file. If you plan to use any of these styles, you should ensure that a text style with the correct name appears in the file before remapping. Another Save As option is to drop any non-exportable line styles to components. Using this facility line styles will appear the same in the DWG file, but the lines will not be modifiable. How internally stored linestyles are handled when saving to V7 Previous to V8, MicroStation did not support the internal storage of linestyle definitions within the design file. When saving a DWG (or a V8 DGN that contains linestyle definitions) to V7, a line style resource file is generated ( _lstyle.rsc). This file is created in the same folder as the design file. The resource file must be placed in a folder as defined by the variable MS_SYMBRSRC in order for the V7 file to read the line style correctly. Resolving custom linestyle definitions in MicroStation MicroStation can resolve custom linestyle definitions from two places. From a MicroStation resource file (RSC). From a definition stored within the active design file. MicroStation V8 can import line styles from an AutoCAD LIN file as well as from the standard MicroStation RSC file (new in MicroStation V8 2004 Edition). When the line styles are imported they are written directly into the DGN, their definitions are saved internally, within the DGN file itself. To import a Line style: From the Element menu, choose Line Styles > Edit (The "Line Style Editor" dialog will open) From the Line Style Editor dialog, choose File > Import and select either "AutoCAD Line Style File (LIN)" or "MicroStation Resource File (RSC)" - Browse to the linestyle file and choose "OK" (The "Select Linestyles to Import" dialog will open) Select linestyle(s) to import and choose "Import" Note: The styles will not appear in the Line Style Editor. They will only be visible in linestyle attribute combo boxes and the Custom linestyle List. The style(s) will only be available within the Design file that the style was imported. MicroStation can also export linestyles that are stored within a design file, to an RSC file (new in MicroStation V8 2004 Edition). To export a Line style: From the Element menu choose Line Styles > Edit (The "Line Style Editor" dialog will open) From the Line Style Editor dialog, choose File > Export From DGN Browse to desired location and give a name to the linestyle resource file to be that will be created Note: The linestyle resource must be placed in a folder as defined by the variable MS_SYMBRSRC and MicroStation will need to be restarted to be able to use the linestyles contained within. Controlling custom linestyle scale Custom linestyle scale can be controlled 3 ways: Global scale factor Per element Per level (Bylevel or Override) To control custom linestyle scale globally, key in: ACTIVE LINESTYLE SCALE [scale factor] or DWG LTSCALE [scale factor]. This will affect all linestyles within the active file as well as any attached references, by multiplying the global scale factor of the active design file by the element's own custom linestyle scale factor. This is different than the Scale Factor setting in the Line Styles dialog box, which will set the scale factor for new elements that are placed in the design. This, unlike the global scale factor, is respected through references. It is also possible to control custom linestyle scales per level Bylevel and Level Overrides through the Styles tab of the Level Properties dialog accessible from the Level Manager Dialog (Levels > Properties). This will override the element scale but will still be multiplied by the Global scale factor. Custom LineStyle with no scales set Custom Linestyle with ACTIVE LINESTYLESCALE set to 2 in master file Custom LineStyle with ACTIVE LINESTYLESCALE set to 0 and Custom linestyle scale set to 2 for the elements in the Active file, and set to 3 for the elements in the Reference file. You can also control linestyle scales in ByLevel and Level Overrides through the Styles tab of the Level Properties dialog accessible from Level Manager (Levels > Properties). See also Other language sources Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group

Product: MicroStation Version: V8i Environment: N\A Area: DWG Subarea: Open Overview When opening a DWG file in MicroStation, a message is displayed in the statusbar: One or more Object Enablers is missing Background In the AutoCAD file format a number of standard object/element definitions are available, such as lines, texts, etc. Autodesk allows application developers to create additional object definitions to better suit their application (you may think of them as "smart objects"). An application that creates these objects may also provide a so called Object Enabler that runs on a RealDWG host program different than the application itself. Such additional objects are called Custom Objects, when their object enablers are present, or Proxy Objects when their object enablers are missing. In order to display custom objects the related application Object Enabler needs to have been installed on a RealDWG host program such as AutoCAD or MicroStation. Custom or Proxy objects on MicroStation Following Bentley's agreement with Autodesk, RealDWG libaries were available for use in MicroStation. Thus versions of MicroStaton V8i Selectseries 1 or later, DWG files are opened with Autodesk's RealDWG and custom objects with their object enablers are better displayed. Therefore, it is recommended that you get an object enabler for DWG files that contain custom objects. If you do not have these object enablers, you will see the message: “One or more Object Enablers is missing” in the status bar after you opened such a DWG file. In such a case, as described above, these objects become proxies, which may or may not be displayed correctly depending on: (a) if the DWG file as last saved with system variable PROXYGRAPHICS on AutoCAD, (b) if the object enabler is designed to save the graphics in response to this system variable, and (c) if the information/geometry saved in the proxies is as good as you expect (wireframe or mesh, for example). If the answer to all three questions is positive, then your proxies may display correctly. Otherwise you may see problems with them. Which Object Enabler to download/install Object enablers are available for 32bit and 64bit operating systems. 64bit object enablers versions cannot be used in a 32bit environment. A number of 32bit object enablers are suitable to be used on a Windows 64bit operating system. Object enablers also require an equivalent 32bit or 64bit CAD application. MicroStation is a 32 bit application and therefore requires 32bit object enablers. In short: In order to handle DWG files that include custom objects in the best way, you will need to have MicroStation V8i Selectseries 1 or higher on a 32bit or 64bit Windows operating system with the appropriate 32bit Object Enablers installed. You will also need to know what version of RealDWG is installed with your current version of MicroStaion. To check this go to Control Panel>Programs>Uninstall a Program, this will show you want version you have installed. i.e. if you are installing an Object Enabler for Autodesk Civil 3D you would need to install either the version for 2010 or 2014 based on the version of RealDWG that is currently installed. Notes If a DWG file has to be edited later on with the application with which it was built, be sure to make a backup copy of the original file first before opening it in MicroStation. Also, before opening a file that includes custom objects, make sure that exactly the same DWG file format is set. For example consider that a file has been created based on the AutoCAD version 2009 then you define MS_REALDWG_VERSION = 2009 before opening the file. If you would open such a file having the AutoCAD 2010 version active, the data in the file will be upgraded to the 2010 format the custom objects however will not. The result is that the original application will not be able to edit the file anymore. Bentley V8i (SELECTseries 1) - Autodesk® RealDWG™ 2010 includes the following object enablers, which can be used with products that have then enabled: AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP 2010 Object Enabler AutoPLANT V8i (SELECTseries 1) Object Enabler ProSteel V8i for AutoCAD 2010 Object Enabler True object enablers are developed with ObjectDBX. If an object enabler has the file extension .DBX, it should be loadable using MicroStation V8i SELECTseries 1 or 2 with RealDWG installed. If the object enabler has a file extension of .ARX, it was not developed using ObjectDBX and most likely cannot be loaded using MicroStation V8i SELECTseries 1 or 2. Bentley Systems Inc. cannot do much here as for a fix we depend on Autodesk or the related Application vendor who created the enabler. A known enabler that does not conform to Autodesk's own definition of Object Enablers is:Autodesk Raster Design 2010 (TR# 299032). Upon installation of an Object Enabler, a window may pop-up asking for which application the enabler should be activated, in such a case, the installed platform product should be selected (MicroStation V8i Selectseries 1 or up). However, not all object enablers offer such an option (CADDuct serves as such an example). Many thanks to Don Fu and Lily Wong for the much appreciated help and suggestions. See also RealDWG(TM) [TN] Other language sources Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group

Product: MicroStation Version: V8, XM, V8i, CONNECT Environment: N\A Area: DWG Subarea: Open This Client Server article is republished in its entirety from 2002 for reference purposes. By Bentley Technical Support Group 15 July 2002 MicroStation V8 accepts DWG files as a native format, usable without translation. There are a variety of settings and options to be considered when preparing to work with DWG files for the first time. July 15, 2002 - MicroStation V8 can natively open and save DWG files. Before working with DWG files for the first time in MicroStation V8, there are a variety of options and settings to be considered. This article introduces these settings and provides suggestions for their best use. Opening DWG files When opening a DWG file, there are options to consider that affect how the file will appear in MicroStation. You can access the DWG options by either opening a file from the MicroStation Manager or by using the menu command File > Open. To make the DWG Options button available, you must select a DWG or a DXF file type. There are two tabs in the Open DWG Options dialog. GENERAL TAB Units Architectural or Engineering Units-Defines linear units to use when opening DWG files with architectural and engineering units. For DWG files, the linear units are inches and are displayed as feet and inches. You should keep this option set to (MicroStation) inches unless you know that the AutoCAD unit conventions were ignored when the file was created. Unit Options Seed File Master Units-Based on the Master Units from DGN seed file. Seed File Sub Units-Based on the Sub Units from DGN seed file. Design Center Units-Specifies the units used in a DWG file. If this setting is available and accurately set in the DWG file, you can set both units options to Design Center Units. MicroStation can then automatically use this value to interpret the DWG units. This setting is not available in AutoCAD files prior to AutoCAD 2000, and it is sometimes not set appropriately in AutoCAD 2000 files. Decimal, Scientific or Fractional Units-Defines the linear units for MicroStation to use when opening DWG files with decimal, scientific or fractional units. The unit options are the same as for files with architectural and engineering units. For DWG files with these units, the actual units are not implied, but they are typically one of the metric units. Therefore, setting this value appropriately requires some knowledge of the units used to create the geometry in the file. If this value is not set correctly, MicroStation may misinterpret the size of geometry in the DWG file. Colors-DWG files do not store a background color for either design models ("model space") or sheet models ("paper space"). This is the only place that the background color can be selected for the DWG file. DGN seed file-Sets the path and the filename of the seed DGN file. To browse for this file, click the adjacent magnifying glass icon. When a DWG file is open, MicroStation extracts most of the settings directly from the DWG file. However, MicroStation settings that are not present in the DWG are extracted from the DGN seed file. Figure 1: General Tab of the DWG Options dialog. ADVANCED TAB Line Weight Scale (mm/pixel)-This value controls the relationship between line weights in MicroStation and AutoCAD. MicroStation line weights are defined in pixels, whereas AutoCAD defines them by width in millimeters. The default value is .25 mm/pixel. Entering a larger value will cause wide lines in a DWG file to come in at lower line weights in MicroStation; a smaller value will cause wide lines in a DWG to come in at higher line weights. Create 2D Models for Model Space-When selected, a 2D model is created to represent model space. This setting should be used only when the model is known to contain only two-dimensional geometry in the X-Y plane. If 3D geometry is present, it is flattened to the X-Y plane. Create 2D Models for Paper Space-When selected, 2D sheet models are created to represent paper space sheets. This option should be used only when the paper space models are known to contain only two-dimensional annotation geometry in the X-Y plane. If 3D geometry is present, it is flattened to the X-Y plane. Note that the view ports of a 2D sheet model can contain views of 3D models, so it is not necessary to have 2D models in order to use 2D sheets. Use Seed File Global Origin and Unit Resolution-This option is for using the global origin and unit resolution values from the DGN seed file (specified on the General tab). Use this option if the DWG file originated from a DGN file, and you plan to save the file as a DGN. Saving a file as a DWG When saving a file to a DWG in MicroStation V8, you can control how the file will appear. To access the Save As DWG dialog, select Save As from the File menu. Change the file type to .DWG and select the Options button. Figure 2: Advance Tab of the DWG Options dialog. GENERAL TAB DWG Version-MicroStation can save files in most AutoCAD formats, going as far back as AutoCAD v2.6. You should save files in the most recent version, as older versions may not support everything necessary for optimum conversion. Units-The Units selection sets the linear units used in the AutoCAD file. Although MicroStation allows you to select a different unit system at any time without changing the actual size of the model geometry, AutoCAD does not provide a convenient method for altering units. Therefore, it is important that you select the correct output units. If you select Master Units or Sub Units, MicroStation uses the master or sub units from the default model of the current file. DWG seed file-Although most of the settings and geometry come from the DGN file, certain settings that are not in a DGN file come from the DWG seed file. Level Display-MicroStation allows you to turn on and turn off levels either globally or on a per-view basis; AutoCAD allows only global control. If the Level Display option menu is set to Global, the AutoCAD layers visibility is controlled from the global setting and the levels that are turned off on a per-view basis are turned on in the AutoCAD file. If the Level Display is set to one of the eight views, the AutoCAD layers are not visible if they are turned off either globally or in that view. Use Level Symbology Overrides-If on, this option saves the DGN file level symbology to the DWG file. The AutoCAD layers use the override colors, the DWG entity properties are by level. The resulting DWG file will appear exactly as the DGN file appears when level symbology overrides are in use. Save References As DWG/DXF-When saving a DGN file as a DWG file, you must save all DGN references as DWG files to enable AutoCAD to resolve the references. If you turn on the Save References As DWG/DXF option, the DGN references are saved as DWG files. Create Overlays for Reference Attachments (No Live Nesting)-If on, this option creates all reference attachments as overlays. Doing so disables live nesting in the DWG output file, which can be useful in files where live nesting is turned off for all attachments. Convert MicroStation Fonts to AutoCAD Fonts-MicroStation supports TrueType fonts, AutoCAD SHX fonts, and the fonts stored in the resource file font.rsc. If you turn on the Convert MicroStation Fonts to AutoCAD Fonts option, MicroStation converts the fonts in font.rsc to AutoCAD SHX fonts. If AutoCAD is installed, the AutoCAD font directory will be used by default as the target directory for the converted fonts. You can change the target directory. Non-Default Design Models-Defines how non-default design models are saved to DWG files. A DGN file can have multiple design models and sheet models. When a DGN file is saved to DWG, the default design model is saved to model space in the DWG file, and the sheet models are saved to drawing layouts (paper space). The settings for saving the non-default design models to DWG include: Create Separate Files-If selected, each non-default design model is saved to a separate DWG file. The model name is appended to the design file name. Reference attachments to non-default models are saved to XREF inserts pointing to the new separate DWG files. Create Paper Space-If selected, each non-default design model is saved to a drawing layout (paper space) in the DWG model that contains the default design model. Reference attachments are merged according to the Attachments to Non-Default Models setting on the References tab. Ignore-If selected, non-default design models are not saved to a DWG file. Reference attachments are merged according to the Attachments to Non-Default Models setting on the References tab. Drop Unsupported Line Styles to Components-If on, this option drops elements that use custom line styles not supported by AutoCAD to individual components. Drop Unsupported Area Patterns-If on, any associative area pattern that is not assigned to a DWG hatch definition is dropped and saved to individual entities in the AutoCAD file using this option. This option can greatly increase the size of the output file, but it preserves the display of area patterns that would otherwise be omitted. Preserve MicroStation Settings-If on, this option preserves MicroStation-specific settings in the DWG file. Many MicroStation settings do not exist in AutoCAD and, therefore, cannot be saved as settings in the DWG file. Use this setting if the DWG output file will be edited with MicroStation and you want to preserve the settings and element data between editing sessions. MicroStation-specific settings are saved to an XRECORD entity, and MicroStation-specific element data is saved as XDATA on each entity. If the output file will not be edited with MicroStation, then this data is not required and is ignored by other applications. Figure 3: General Tab of the SAVE AS DWG Options dialog. ADVANCED TAB Create Regions From Closed Elements-Controls the type of AutoCAD entity that is created from a complex shape, circle, ellipse or shape element with more than four vertices. If set to Never (or 3D Only and the model is 2D), these entities are stored in AutoCAD files as closed polylines, circles or ellipse entities. Create Polylines From 3- or 4-sided Shapes-Select Always to save shape elements to closed polylines or select Never to save them to faces. Create Solids from MicroStation TriForma Forms-When set to Never, this option saves MicroStation TriForma forms to simple non-solid entities. When set to If MicroStation TriForma Loaded, this option saves the MicroStation TriForma forms to solid entities. Line Weight Scale (mm/pixel)-Controls the relationship between line weights in MicroStation and AutoCAD. MicroStation defines line weights in pixels, while AutoCAD defines them by width in millimeters. The default value is 0.25 mm/pixel. Setting a larger value causes wide lines in a DWG file to receive lower line weights in MicroStation; a smaller value causes wide lines to receive higher line weights. Line Code Scale (Design Units/Cycle)-Sets the scale value for MicroStation line codes. MicroStation's line codes (standard line styles 1-7) are defined in screen units and are independent of the view zoom factor. AutoCAD line type definitions are always defined in drawing units and are, therefore, not compatible with the MicroStation line codes. If Line Code Scale is set to the default value of 0.0, the lines will be scaled based on the size of the line codes in the first visible view. If the Line Code Scale is set to a non-zero value, this value represents the length (in DWG file units) of a single cycle of the line code pattern. Construction Class Elements-Defines how construction class elements are written to DWG files. Save-Saves construction elements to DWG in the same manner as primary class elements. Omit-Does not save construction elements to DWG. Save As Invisible-Saves construction elements to DWG as invisible entities. Save To "Construction" Layer-Saves construction elements to layers with the original layer name followed by "(construction)." This is the default. Save to "Defpoints" Layer-Saves the geometry to the Defpoints layer. AutoCAD typically uses this layer for dimension definition points and other construction geometry. Pattern Class Elements-Defines how pattern class elements are written to DWG files. In MicroStation DGN files, element display can be controlled based on the element's class. MicroStation uses the pattern class for all area and linear pattern geometry. When linear patterning is applied to an element, the element class is changed to linear patterned. DWG files do not have analogous concepts. Associated patterns are saved as hatch entities and can be controlled (along with filled geometry) with the AutoCAD FILLMODE setting, but non-associative and linear patterns are saved as simple geometry and therefore have no such control. Save-Saves pattern elements to DWG in the same manner as primary class elements. This is the default. Omit-Does not save pattern elements to DWG. Save As Invisible-Saves pattern elements to DWG as invisible entities. Save To "Pattern" Layer-Saves pattern elements to layers with the original layer name followed by "(pattern)." Save to "Defpoints" Layer-Saves the geometry to the Defpoints layer. AutoCAD typically uses this layer for dimension definition points and other construction geometry. Linear Patterned Class Elements-Defines how linear patterned class elements are written to DWG files. In MicroStation DGN files, element display can be controlled based on the element's class. MicroStation uses the pattern class for all area and linear pattern geometry. When linear patterning is applied to an element, the element class is changed to linear patterned. DWG files do not have analogous concepts. Associated patterns are saved as hatch entities and can be controlled (along with filled geometry) with the AutoCAD FILLMODE setting, but non-associative and linear patterns are saved as simple geometry and therefore have no such control. Save-Saves linear patterned elements to DWG in the same manner as primary class elements. Omit-Does not save linear patterned elements to DWG. This is the default. Save As Invisible-Saves linear patterned elements to DWG as invisible entities. Save To "Linear Patterned" Layer-Saves linear patterned elements to layers with the original layer name followed by "(linear patterned)." Save to "Defpoints" Layer-Saves the geometry to the Defpoints layer. AutoCAD typically uses this layer for imension definition points and other construction geometry. Create Single Block for Duplicate Cells-If on, saves duplicate unshared cells to a single block with multiple inserts. To optimize the DWG file size, leave this setting on (the default). If this setting is off, each duplicate unshared cell is saved to a single block and single insert. Note: DWG files do not support unshared MicroStation cells. Create Scaled Blocks-If on, creates scaled block inserts within the DWG file. However, in some cases, it is not desirable to allow scaled block inserts. If this setting is off, the software creates only unscaled block inserts (scale = 1.0). Code Page for DWG File-Defines the code page used by the DWG file.The operating system uses a code page to define fonts or characters for language support. Generally, you do not need to change the code page for the DWG file, since a code page is already defined for the operating system. Figure 4: Advance Tab of the SAVE AS DWG Options dialog. REMAP TAB Controls how element parameters, such as levels, symbology, fonts or cell names are remapped to different values when the active file is saved to a DWG/DXF file. For example, you can remap elements on level "Floor Plan" of the active file to level "First Floor Plan" in the DWG file. Remapping is very useful when you save to DWG/DXF files, since current DGN files support more line styles than AutoCAD files. Remapping lets you decide how to handle differences between these types of files. Remapping is also useful when you need to convert standards to comply with organizational requirements, or to control output when you are using the Batch Convert utility. To remap element parameters, use a remapping table. This table is saved in a CSV (Comma Separated Value) file that is created by a macro embedded in a spreadsheet program. CSV file-Lists the CSV file that is used for remapping element parameters. Browse for CSV remapping file-Opens the Select Remapping CSV File dialog box, which lets you select the CSV file to use. Edit CSV remapping file-Opens the selected CSV remapping file as a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. The remapping file contains a worksheet for each type of parameter that can be remapped: levels, colors, weights, line styles, fonts, and cell names. Each worksheet represents a section in the CSV file. To edit the spreadsheet, pick the appropriate worksheet (for example, colors). In the first column of the worksheet (for example, color), enter or modify the value to be remapped. In the same row, enter or modify the new value in the DWG output column (for example, DWGOutputColor). Create CSV remapping file-Opens the Create Remapping CSV File dialog, which lets you enter a name for the new CSV remapping file. Click OK, and the new CSV remapping file opens as a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. The remapping file contains a section for each type of parameter that can be remapped: levels, colors, weights, line styles, fonts and cell names. Each worksheet represents a section in the CSV file. To enter data into the spreadsheet, first pick the appropriate worksheet (for example, colors). In the first column of the worksheet (for example, colors), enter the value to be remapped. In the same row, enter the new value in the DWG output column (for example, DWGOutputColor). Apply Level Mapping-When on, this option applies level mapping from the CSV remapping file when the open file is saved to the DWG/DXF file. This option will not be sensitive if the Levels section in the CSV file does not contain data. Apply Font Mapping-When on, this option applies font mapping from the CSV remapping file when the open file is saved to the DWG/DXF file. This option will not be sensitive if the Fonts section in the CSV file does not contain data. Apply Line Style Mapping-When on, this option applies line style mapping from the CSV remapping file when the open file is saved to the DWG/DXF file. This option will not be sensitive if the Line Styles section in the CSV file does not contain data. Apply Color Mapping-When on, this option applies color mapping from the CSV remapping file when the open file is saved to the DWG/DXF file. This option will not be sensitive if the Colors section in the CSV file does not contain data. Apply Weight Mapping-When on, this option applies line weight mapping from the CSV remapping file when the open file is saved to the DWG/DXF file. This option will not be sensitive if the Weights section in the CSV file does not contain data. Figure 5: Remap Tab of the SAVE AS DWG Options dialog. REFERENCE TAB Controls how references are handled when you save a DGN file to a DWG or DXF file. The DWG file format does not support all the reference attachments possible in MicroStation. External Attachments-Controls how standard attachments to the default model are handled when you save a DGN file to a DWG/DXF file. Generally, it is better to retain these types of attachments as XREFs (the default). You can also choose to merge the default model and its attachments into a single file. Retain-Keeps the attachments to the output file. In AutoCAD, these attachments will be XREFs. Merge-Merges the attachment geometry into the output file as individual elements. Merge to Cell-Merges the attachment geometry into the output file as a single cell. Omit-Omits the attachment from the output file. Self Attachments-Controls how self-attachments are handled when you save a DGN file to a DWG/DXF file. A self-attachment is a reference attached to itself. AutoCAD does not support self-attachments. You must merge self-attachments to preserve their display. Retain-Keeps the attachments to the output file. Merge-Merges the attachment geometry into the output file as individual elements. Merge to Cell-Merges the attachment geometry into the output file as a single cell. Omit-Omits the attachment from the output file. Non-Default Models Attachments-Controls how attachments to non-default models are handled when you save a DGN file to a DWG/DXF file. AutoCAD is limited to one default model per file with one or more sheets ("paper space" models) displaying views of that model. AutoCAD's XREF attachments can only display the default model. Retain-Keeps the attachments to the output file. Merge-Merges the attachment geometry into the output file as individual elements. Merge to Cell-Merges the attachment geometry into the output file as a single cell. Omit-Omits the attachment from the output file. Masked Attachments-Controls how clipping masks in attachments are handled when you save a DGN file to a DWG/DXF file. AutoCAD does not support XREF's with clipping masks. Therefore, saving a masked attachment to a DWG file (Retain) removes any clipping masks applied to that attachment. When you use merging, the clipping masks are applied to the geometry as it is merged. Retain-Keeps the attachments to the output file. In AutoCAD, these attachments will be XREFs. The clipping mask will be removed. Merge-Merges the attachment geometry, including the clipping mask, into the output file as individual elements. Merge to Cell-Merges the attachment geometry, including the clipping mask, into the output file as a single cell. Omit-Omits the attachment from the output file. Copy Levels During Merge-Describes how levels are handled when you merge references from the DGN file into a DWG/DXF file. If Not Found-Levels from the reference are merged into the output file only if they (or a level with the same name) do not exist in the active model. If Overrides Exist-Levels from the reference are merged into the output file if the level does not exist in the active model, or if the settings for the active model level are different than those of the attachment. Differences include overrides that have been applied to the attachment levels, or differences between the levels as defined in the active model and reference. Always-Levels from the reference are merged into the output file even if an identical level exists within the active model. Figure 6: Reference Tab of the Save As DWG/DXF Options dialog. Figure 7:Filter Tab of the Save As DWG/DXF Options dialog. FILTER TAB Contains controls that are used to filter the data that is saved to the output file. Geometry Controls the geometry that is saved to the output file. Everything - Saves all geometry in all models. Fence - Saves only the contents of the fence in the active model, as defined by the Fence Mode setting. Selection Set - Saves only the selected elements in the active model. Fence Mode Sets the Fence Mode that, in conjunction with the fence placement, defines the fence contents for manipulation. Clip Volume Specifies whether a clip volume is used to filter the elements to be saved. If set to Ignore (the default), clip volumes are ignored. If set to a view, only the elements within the view's clip volume are saved. The clip volume is defined according to the Fence Mode setting (Inside, Overlap, or Clip). Ignore - (The default) Clip volumes are ignored. View 1-8 - Only the elements within the selected view's clip volume are saved. The clip volume is defined according to the Fence Mode setting (Inside, Overlap, or Clip). Models Opens the Select Models dialog box, which lets you choose the models to save to the output file(s). Auxiliary Coordinate Systems If on, saved Auxiliary Coordinate Systems are saved to the output file. Saved Views If on, saved views are saved to the output file. Shared Cell Instances If on, shared cell instances are saved to the output file. If off, all shared cell instances are converted to normal cells in the output file. Unused Shared Cell Definitions If on, all shared cell definitions are saved to the output file. If off, unused shared cell definitions are omitted from the output file. Named Groups If on, named groups are saved to the output file. If off, named groups are omitted from the output file. Frozen Levels If on, the geometry on frozen levels is saved to the output file. If off, geometry on frozen levels is omitted from the output file. Tags If on, tag elements are saved to the output file. If off, tag elements are converted to simple text elements in the output file. See also Other language sources Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group

What about putting the cell into a ref file and attach that instead, so during drafting its not really editable unless you go to the xref itself, double click wont edit these, then at last minute when you have to give back to client all your dgns batch process merge the xref... if this isn't allowed re client requirements... Then only other way I an think of is to edit the source celll and if only these texts live on a separate level to the rest of the cell, then you could lock the level thru the level manager... I haven't tried this but in theory it should work , then replace the cell you have used in the drgs it should take on the attributes including the locked level.