DGN Types

Chief DGN Description

.DGN

Formatting:	.dgn
Class:	MicroStation Drawing File

The DGN file extension is a 2D/3D drawing file format used by MicroStation construction design software. It stores design created and used by the program. The DGN file format is based on Intergraph Standard File Format (ISFF) or the newer V8 DGN standard and can be converted to the DWG file format, which is considered to be the universal format for CAD files.

Programmer:	Bentley Systems
Class:	CAD Files
Entry:	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.dgn

Software Programs That Open The MicroStation Drawing File:

ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop by ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute)

Windows

MicroStation by Bentley Systems

Windows

AutoVue by Oracle Corporation

Windows

IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe by Redway3d and others

Mac

Bentley View by Bentley Systems

Windows

DGN To DWG Converter by AutoDWG

Windows

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Troubleshooting Problems Opening DGN Files

Common Problems Opening DGN Files

ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop Not Present

Double-clicking your DGN file prompts the message "- Can't Open DGN File". If this is the case, it's usually due to the fact that you do not have ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop for - installed on your computer. This will prevent you from double-clicking to open the DGN file because the OS doesn’t know how to handle it.

Tip: If you have another software that you know opens DGN files, you can select it by hitting the "Show Apps" button.

Obsolete Version of ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop

It is possible that your version of ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop isn't able to open your MicroStation Drawing File file due to incompatibility. Download the latest ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop version from the ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) website to ensure you have the correct one installed. This problem is predominately due to having a MicroStation Drawing File file version that was created by a newer version of ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop than what you have installed on your PC.

Tip: Sometimes you can get a clue about the version of DGN file you have by right clicking on the file, then clicking on "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac OSX).

Regardless, most of the DGN file opening problems relate to not having the right version of ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop installed.

Additional DGN Opening Issues

You can still experience errors opening DGN files even with the latest version of ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop installed on your PC. Other DGN opening errors can be created by other system problems inside of - . Other contributing causes:

• Invalid DGN file references in the Windows Registry (the "phonebook" of the Windows Operating System)
• Accidental deletion of the description of the DGN file in the Windows registry
• Invalid installation of a DGN-associated program (eg. ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop)
• Your DGN can't be loaded properly (file corruption)
• Past or present virus infection has affected your DGN
• DGN-related hardware has device drivers that obsolete
• Your computer does not have the adequate system resources to open the MicroStation Drawing File format