The Complete DGN to Rhino 3DM Conversion Guide.

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

• Learn more about the DGN format
• Learn more about the Rhino 3DM format

There are various ways to convert between DGN and Rhino 3DM. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize DGN files, at scale. It supports Rhino 3DM, 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:

The DGN file is a format mostly used for CAD and infrastructure design data.
The Rhino 3DM file is a format mostly used for NURBS-based 3D modeling and design.

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

DGN Feature (not supported by Rhino 3DM)	Limitation Details
Animations	Animations Support: DGN: Partial support | Rhino 3DM: No support 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 | Rhino 3DM: No support 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.

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 Rhino 3DM 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!

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