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DGN IFC Viewer
open DGN and IFC files

CATIA Siemens-NX CREO SolidWorks Solid Edge Autodesk Rhino JT STEP X_T DWG-DXF-DWF DGN-IFC PDF-PRC-U3D IGES-SAT-VDA DAE-FBX-glTF 3MF-STL PLY-3DS-WRL-OBJ

What are DGN - files?

DGN files are a native CAD file format primarily used by Bentley Systems' MicroStation software, but also supported by other applications. They store 2D and 3D design data for projects in architecture, construction, and infrastructure, and can include vector graphics, raster images, and other metadata.

What are IFC - files?

IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) files are an open, neutral file format for exchanging Building Information Modeling (BIM) data in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. They contain both 3D geometry and non-geometric data like properties, quantities, and spatial relationships, allowing architects and engineers to work together on a project even if they use different software.

Autodesk-Viewer für DGN und IFC

DGN and IFC Versions

  • The DGN file format exists in two main versions: the original Intergraph DGN (V7), a binary format from the late 1980s, and the updated Bentley V8 DGN, introduced in 2000. The V8 version uses a more modern OLE2 format and offers new features such as digital rights management and design history. Newer versions of MicroStation, such as the CONNECT Edition, continue to use the V8 DGN file format.(06/2025)
  • The IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) file format has evolved significantly since its introduction. Major versions include the foundational IFC 1.0, the milestone IFC2x3 (2005), and the current ISO-certified IFC4 (2013) and its most recent update, IFC4.3 (2024).(06/2025)

DGN and IFC - Charactersictics

The DGN format is compatible with the AutoCAD DWG format, allowing you to open and edit DWG files in MicroStation and import DGN files into AutoCAD. However, data loss or limitations may occur, especially with advanced DGN features or older DWG versions.

IFC files can contain Building Information Modeling (BIM) data in various formats. The most widely used and supported format is the STEP Physical Format (SPF or IFC-SPF). This is the most compact of the supported formats and can also be read as text. IFC-SPF is based on the ISO standard for the plain-text representation of EXPRESS data models, ISO 10303-21.

How to open DGN and IFC files?

You can open DGN files using their native software, MicroStation, or with other compatible programs like Bentley View, AutoCAD with plugins, or web-based viewers like Autodesk A360.

Due to the open and neutral architecture of the IFC format, it is supported by a whole range of software such as AutoCAD, FreeCAD, BlenderBIM and other BIM-Viewers.

The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens DGN and IFC files and offers many measurement and analysis tools in addition to simple operation. 3D-Tool can be tested free of charge for 14 days.

How to convert DGN and IFC files?

The most common conversion is probably between DGN and IFC files, as well as between and between AutoCAD DWG files. A number of different converters and import interfaces are available for this, taking into account the special nature of BIM data.

3D-Tool Premium includes the 3D-NativeCAD Converter. In addition to DGN and IFC models, this converts models from many common CAD systems into the 3D exchange formats STEP, IGES, SAT, and Parasolid X_T, which are supported by many CAD/CAM programs. However, the prerequisite is that the models contain so-called BREP data, i.e., exact CAD data. 3D visualization data (MESH) can only be converted to visualization formats such as 3D PDF, 3D HTML, or 3MF.

DGN and IFC Viewer and Converter Test

3D-Tool is a CAD viewer with many 3D CAD interfaces, including DGN and IFC, and professional measurement functions, demould analysis, and wall thickness analysis.

  • Open, dimension, comment, and publish DGN and IFC for the 3D-Tool Free Viewer or as 3D PDF
  • Open and save DGN and IFC as STL, 3DS, PLY, WRL, OBJ, or PLY
  • Convert DGN and IFC (BREP) to STEP, IGES, SAT, X_T, and JT
  • Convert DGN and IFC to 3D product visualizations such as 3D HTML, FBX, Collada, 3MF, and glTF.

Free, no-obligation 14-day trial with all features, DGN/IFC interfaces, and the 3D Native CAD converter. The demo key activates all 3D interfaces, such as CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, STEP, and SAT.

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