The Complete DGN to 3MF Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

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

Converting and Optimizing DGN Files to 3MF

There are various ways to convert between DGN and 3MF. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize DGN files, at scale. It supports 3MF, 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 DGN and 3MF files commonly used for?

The DGN file is a format mostly used for CAD and infrastructure design data.
The 3MF file is a format mostly used for 3D printing and additive manufacturing.

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Comparison of Features Supported by DGN and 3MF

FeatureSupported by DGNSupported by 3MF
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsPartial0No
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsPartial1No
Free-Form SurfacesYesNo
Geometry CompressionNoPartial2
Quad MeshesYesNo
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsPartial3Partial4
Transparent MaterialsYesPartial5
Vertex ColorsYesYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatPartial6Yes
Embedded TexturesPartial7Yes
Multiple UV ChannelsPartial8Partial9
Normal MappingPartial10No
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionNoPartial11
Texture TransformsYesPartial12
TexturingYesYes

0 - Basic animation for construction sequencing
1 - Simple animation support for design sequences
2 - ZIP-based compression of model data
3 - Limited PBR support in newer versions
4 - Basic PBR material properties
5 - Alpha channel support for transparency
6 - Open specification with some proprietary extensions
7 - Textures can be referenced or embedded
8 - Limited multi-texturing capabilities
9 - Multiple texture coordinate sets supported
10 - Basic normal mapping for visualization
11 - Compressed textures within ZIP package
12 - Basic texture coordinate transformation

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Limitations of DGN Files to 3MF Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting DGN files to 3MF format:

DGN Feature (not supported by 3MF)Limitation Details
Free-Form Surfaces

Free-Form Surfaces Support:

DGN: Full support | 3MF: No support

Free-Form Surfaces illustratedlack of support for Free-Form Surfaces illustrated

Impact:

Free-form surfaces allow a CAD user to design surfaces with advanced controls over curvature and continuitiy. While these surfaces are common for CAD models (in the form of so-called boundary representations or "B-reps"), they need to be converted to polygonal triangle or quad data to work with most 3D rendering engines - a process called tessellation. In this example, a surface patch is used to describe a part of a curved surface of a product. Without support for this feature, the free-form surface has to be tessellated into quads or triangles.

Quad Meshes

Quad Meshes Support:

DGN: Full support | 3MF: No support

Quad Meshes illustratedlack of support for Quad Meshes illustrated

Impact:

Quad meshes are a common way to hand-model and edit 3D models. 3D artists get intuitive control and such meshes are also easy to refine, as well as well-suited for creation of skinned animations. However, real-time rendering pipelines and hardware are usually all based on triangles, so if a 3D model should not be edited any more, it is safe to convert quads to triangles (and engines will do this automatically before sending data to the rendering hardware). In this example, a part of a mesh is modeled with quads. Without support for this feature, quads will have to be triangulated, producing a pure triangle mesh.

Texture Transforms

Texture Transforms Support:

DGN: Full support | 3MF: Partial support

Texture Transforms illustratedlack of support for Texture Transforms illustrated

3MF Notes:

Basic texture coordinate transformation

Impact:

Texture transforms describe transformation operations that are applied to 2D texture images or UV coordinates when using 2D texture data on a 3D surface. They can be used, for example, to make sure that material patterns are using real-world scale when rendered on the 3D surface. In this example, such a pattern is used and scaled with the help of a texture transform. Without support for this feature, the texture pattern shows up at the wrong scale.

Normal Mapping

Normal Mapping Support:

DGN: Partial support | 3MF: No support

Normal Mapping illustratedlack of support for Normal Mapping illustrated

DGN Notes:

Basic normal mapping for visualization

Impact:

Normal maps are used to model shading differences that are arising from small geometric details on a surface, such as fabric structures, visible gaps between bricks forming a wall, or rough rock surfaces. In this example, a normal map is used to model a fabric structure. Without support for this feature, the rendered fabric will look smoother than it actually is in the real world, as the fabric structure won't be visible.

Transparent Materials

Transparent Materials Support:

DGN: Full support | 3MF: Partial support

Transparent Materials illustratedlack of support for Transparent Materials illustrated

3MF Notes:

Alpha channel support for transparency

Impact:

Transparency is commonly used for see-through objects, containing (usually partially) transparent surfaces. In this example, a transparent material is used to model the glass window of the microwave, so that one can see inside. Without support for this feature, the inside of the microwave cannot be seen, as the window will be rendered as an opaque surface.

Animations

Animations Support:

DGN: Partial support | 3MF: No support

Animations illustratedlack of support for Animations illustrated

DGN Notes:

Simple animation support for design sequences

Impact:

Animations are an important part of many interactive 3D assets, for example in real-time rendering (including games, XR training, assembly instructions, product demos, and other use cases). There are various kinds of animations that can be used on 3D models. In this example model, a rigid animation is used to make the gears spin. Without support for this feature, in this example, the gears won't move.

Rigid Animations

Rigid Animations Support:

DGN: Partial support | 3MF: No support

Rigid Animations illustratedlack of support for Rigid Animations illustrated

DGN Notes:

Basic animation for construction sequencing

Impact:

Rigid Animations are typically used to animate mechanical parts. In this example, the door of this 3D model of a microwave can be interactively opened or closed, using a rigid animation that gradually changes the 3D transformation of the door. Without support for this feature, in this example, the door will just stay in place and won't move.

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

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 DGN and 3MF 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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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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