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

Converting and Optimizing DGN Files to Solid Edge

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

The DGN file is a format mostly used for CAD and infrastructure design data.
The Solid Edge file is a format mostly used for Comprehensive 3D CAD software with synchronous technology for mechanical design and product development.

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Comparison of Features Supported by DGN and Solid Edge

FeatureSupported by DGNSupported by Solid Edge
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 visualization capabilities, primarily for realistic rendering and presentation purposes.
4 - Limited vertex color support, mainly through part coloring and display properties rather than per-vertex color data manipulation.
5 - Open specification with some proprietary extensions
6 - Solid Edge uses proprietary file formats but provides extensive import/export support for industry-standard formats like STEP, IGES, and others for interoperability.
7 - Textures can be referenced or embedded
8 - Textures can be included with material definitions but with limited embedding capabilities compared to graphics-focused formats.
9 - Limited multi-texturing capabilities
10 - Limited multi-UV support, mainly through basic material assignments rather than complex UV mapping workflows typical in graphics applications.
11 - Basic normal mapping for visualization
12 - Basic texture mapping capabilities through material and appearance properties, but not as advanced as dedicated 3D graphics applications.
13 - Limited texture support primarily through material properties and appearance definitions for visualization purposes, not extensively used in typical mechanical engineering workflows.

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Limitations of DGN Files to Solid Edge Conversion Workflow

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

DGN Feature (not supported by Solid Edge)Limitation Details
Texturing

Texturing Support:

DGN: Full support | Solid Edge: Partial support

Texturing illustratedlack of support for Texturing illustrated

Solid Edge Notes:

Limited texture support primarily through material properties and appearance definitions for visualization purposes, not extensively used in typical mechanical 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 | Solid Edge: Partial support

Texture Transforms illustratedlack of support for Texture Transforms illustrated

Solid Edge Notes:

Basic texture mapping capabilities through material and 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 | Solid Edge: 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 | Solid Edge: Partial support

Vertex Colors illustratedlack of support for Vertex Colors illustrated

Solid Edge Notes:

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

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 Solid Edge?

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 Solid Edge 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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