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

Converting and Optimizing DGN Files to JT

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

The DGN file is a format mostly used for CAD and infrastructure design data.
The JT file is a format mostly used for lightweight 3D visualization and collaboration.

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Comparison of Features Supported by DGN and JT

FeatureSupported by DGNSupported by JT
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsPartial0Partial1
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsPartial2Partial3
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoYes
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsPartial4No
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsYesYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatPartial5Yes
Embedded TexturesPartial6Partial7
Multiple UV ChannelsPartial8Partial9
Normal MappingPartial10Partial11
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionNoPartial12
Texture TransformsYesPartial13
TexturingYesYes

0 - Basic animation for construction sequencing
1 - Basic rigid body animation for design review
2 - Simple animation support for design sequences
3 - Simple animation support for assembly operations
4 - Limited PBR support in newer versions
5 - Open specification with some proprietary extensions
6 - Textures can be referenced or embedded
7 - Textures can be embedded for self-contained files
8 - Limited multi-texturing capabilities
9 - Limited multi-texturing capabilities
10 - Basic normal mapping for visualization
11 - Basic normal mapping for enhanced visualization
12 - Efficient compression for visualization
13 - Basic texture transformation support

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Limitations of DGN Files to JT Conversion Workflow

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

DGN Feature (not supported by JT)Limitation Details
Texture Transforms

Texture Transforms Support:

DGN: Full support | JT: Partial support

Texture Transforms illustratedlack of support for Texture Transforms illustrated

JT Notes:

Basic texture transformation support

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.

PBR Materials

PBR Materials Support:

DGN: Partial support | JT: No support

PBR Materials illustratedlack of support for PBR Materials illustrated

DGN Notes:

Limited PBR support in newer versions

Impact:

PBR materials enable Physically-Based-Rendering (PBR) for a standardized, photorealistic look of rendered images. PBR uses concepts like metallic-roughness or specular-glossiness properties and a microfacet-based modeling of the surface, using a concept called BRDF (Bi-Directional Reflectance Distribution Function). In this example, PBR materials are used to achieve realistic looking plastic and metal materials. Without support for PBR materials, only basic colors and shading can be used (for example, based on more simple shading models, such as the Blinn/Phong model).

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

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 JT 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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