The Complete DGN to Creo 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 Creo, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing DGN Files to Creo

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

The DGN file is a format mostly used for CAD and infrastructure design data.
The Creo file is a format mostly used for Advanced parametric 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software for mechanical engineering and product development.

call to action

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Comparison of Features Supported by DGN and Creo

FeatureSupported by DGNSupported by Creo
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsPartial0Yes
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsPartial1Yes
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsPartial2Partial3
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsYesPartial4
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatPartial5Partial6
Embedded TexturesPartial7Partial8
Multiple UV ChannelsPartial9Partial10
Normal MappingPartial11No
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsYesPartial12
TexturingYesPartial13

0 - Basic animation for construction sequencing
1 - Simple animation support for design sequences
2 - Limited PBR support in newer versions
3 - Basic PBR material support through appearance properties and rendering capabilities, but not as advanced as dedicated rendering software.
4 - Limited vertex color support, mainly through part coloring and display properties rather than per-vertex color data.
5 - Open specification with some proprietary extensions
6 - Creo uses proprietary file formats but supports extensive import/export of industry-standard formats like STEP, IGES, and others for interoperability.
7 - Textures can be referenced or embedded
8 - Textures can be included with appearances but with limited embedding capabilities compared to graphics-focused formats.
9 - Limited multi-texturing capabilities
10 - Limited multi-UV support, mainly through basic material and appearance assignments rather than complex UV mapping workflows.
11 - Basic normal mapping for visualization
12 - Basic texture mapping capabilities through appearance properties, but not as advanced as dedicated 3D graphics applications.
13 - Limited texture support primarily through appearance and material properties for visualization purposes, not extensively used in typical engineering workflows.

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Limitations of DGN Files to Creo Conversion Workflow

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

DGN Feature (not supported by Creo)Limitation Details
Texturing

Texturing Support:

DGN: Full support | Creo: Partial support

Texturing illustratedlack of support for Texturing illustrated

Creo Notes:

Limited texture support primarily through appearance and material properties for visualization purposes, not extensively used in typical engineering workflows.

Impact:

Texturing describes the process or refining the visual appearance of a 3D model's surface through additional 2D or 3D data, defined in a different reference system. The by far most common use of texturing are 2D texture images, applied to model visual material properties the 3D surface. Other cases include the use of procedural 2D or 3D funtions that produce intensity or color signals, which are then mapped to the 3D surface. For the vast majority of these cases (all of them except for 3D procedural functions), a parameterization or "Texture Mapping" is needed, which maps the 2D content to the 3D surface. Coming from a 2D coordinate space with coordinate axes often entitled U and V (in contrast to XYZ, which are the 3D surface positions), this process of mapping is also called UV Mapping, and it can be done with a dedicated UV map, or through a live mapping (e.g., box mapping). In this example, a texture image is applied to the 3D model to give the control panel a realistic look. Without support for texturing, the panel would have to use a single material instead, or all controls (including text) would need to be modeled through 3D geometry, instead of a 2D texture image.

Texture Transforms

Texture Transforms Support:

DGN: Full support | Creo: Partial support

Texture Transforms illustratedlack of support for Texture Transforms illustrated

Creo Notes:

Basic texture mapping capabilities through appearance properties, but not as advanced as dedicated 3D graphics applications.

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 | Creo: 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.

Vertex Colors

Vertex Colors Support:

DGN: Full support | Creo: Partial support

Vertex Colors illustratedlack of support for Vertex Colors illustrated

Creo Notes:

Limited vertex color support, mainly through part coloring and display properties rather than per-vertex color data.

Impact:

Vertex colors allow the attachment of colors to each vertex of a 3D model. This can be useful in scenarios such as scientific visualization, or when converting/meshing data from a colored 3D point cloud, for example. On the polygonal surface connecting the vertices, the respective vertex colors are usually smoothly interpolated. In this example, different colors are attached to the different corners of a cube. Without support for this feature, the cube won't have any colors.

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

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 Creo 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.

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Meet the Author

author image

3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

RapidPipeline lets you convert, optimize and prepare your 3D models, easily.
Try it today, or meet our human 3D experts. The Best-in-Class Tools for Your 3D Processing Jobs