The Complete AutoCAD to DGN Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert AutoCAD to DGN, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing AutoCAD Files to DGN

There are various ways to convert between AutoCAD and DGN. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize AutoCAD files, at scale. It supports DGN, as well as many other file formats (examples: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are AutoCAD and DGN files commonly used for?

The AutoCAD file is a format mostly used for Industry-standard 2D and 3D computer-aided design software for technical drawing and drafting.
The DGN file is a format mostly used for CAD and infrastructure design data.

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Comparison of Features Supported by AutoCAD and DGN

FeatureSupported by AutoCADSupported by DGN
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsNoPartial0
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsNoPartial1
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsNoPartial2
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsPartial3Yes
MaterialsPartial4Yes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatPartial5Partial6
Embedded TexturesPartial7Partial8
Multiple UV ChannelsPartial9Partial10
Normal MappingNoPartial11
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsPartial12Yes
TexturingPartial13Yes

0 - Basic animation for construction sequencing
1 - Simple animation support for design sequences
2 - Limited PBR support in newer versions
3 - Limited per-vertex color support, mainly through object properties and layer-based coloring rather than true vertex color manipulation.
4 - Basic material properties for visualization and plotting purposes, primarily focused on appearance rather than physical material characteristics.
5 - Uses proprietary .dwg format but provides extensive import/export capabilities for industry standards like DXF, STEP, IGES, and other CAD formats for interoperability.
6 - Open specification with some proprietary extensions
7 - Textures can be referenced and included with drawings but with limited embedding capabilities compared to dedicated 3D formats.
8 - Textures can be referenced or embedded
9 - Basic UV mapping support through material assignments, not as advanced as specialized 3D modeling applications.
10 - Limited multi-texturing capabilities
11 - Basic normal mapping for visualization
12 - Limited texture transformation capabilities, mainly through material properties and basic UV mapping for visualization purposes.
13 - Basic texture mapping capabilities primarily through material assignments and visual styles, not as comprehensive as dedicated 3D graphics applications.

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Limitations of AutoCAD Files to DGN Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting AutoCAD files to DGN format:

AutoCAD Feature (not supported by DGN)Limitation Details

What's the best way to get AutoCAD files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using DGN?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to AutoCAD and DGN files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

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Meet the Author

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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