1.2.3 - Import the Microstation Data
Step Description:
Key in mapimport in the Civil 3D Command Line.

Select the proper DGN file that contains the desired data and click OK.


Import Data Dialog Box Image


In the Import dialog box first select the Coordinate System by clicking the Coordinate System button.


Import Data Coordinate Zone Button Image



Assign Global Coordinate System Dialog Box Image


You can either type in a period in the Code field or select the same coordinate zone that the drawing was set to earlier. If you input a period it will not conduct a coordinate conversion. Click OK on the Assign Global Coordinate System dialog box.

Next, you must set the import properties so the Level to Layer conversion is done properly.


Driver Options and Layer Settings Image


First, click on the Driver Options button and set the Group Elements by option to Level Names and click OK.


Design File Input Settings Image


Then you must change the layer names to remove the Default_ Prefix.
To do this, select the Save button and save the file in an XML format with an ipf extension. Then select the load button, right click on the file that was just saved, and open it with Notepad.


Notepad Find and Replace Image


Use the Find and Replace option to find all the instances of <LayerName>Default_ and replace it with <LayerName>. Save and close the file. Then load the file to change the Drawing Layer column to the correct Layer values.


Proper Layer Name Image


Click the Ok button in the Import dialog and allow the data to be imported. Once the process is complete, run zoom extents to view the imported data.

Repeat this procedure for any other data that needs to be imported from a Microstation DGN file.

For more information watch the videos below:
  • Import Data from Microstation (WMV)