Native CAD interfaces
Direct support for the CAD formats listed here.
DGN-IFC Viewer
Open DGN and IFC files
intuitive & practical 3D without CAD expertise
affordable & universal many 3D/2D interfaces
Modern, easy-to-use CAD viewer
Cost-effective CAD converter for all formats
The 3D-Tool Viewer opens DGN and IFC files without any additional CAD software.
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter converts DGN and IFC models to CAD exchange formats such as STEP, IGES, JT, SAT, and Parasolid X_T. It also supports visualization formats such as STL, OBJ, 3D-PDF, 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, and glTF.
Free 14-day trial
Fully functional, no obligation.
Secure & reliable
Stable, precise CAD data processing.
Windows support
Compatible with current Windows versions.
Open DGN and IFC Without MicroStation or BIM
A DGN model from MicroStation-based design or an IFC building model from a BIM project often lands with people who run neither Bentley nor their own BIM software - the 3D-Tool Viewer opens both formats directly, whatever system created them. That covers general contractors, engineers, or owner's representatives who simply need to check what was delivered.
DGN tends to come from route and plant design, IFC from cross-discipline building coordination, but both raise the same question once a model changes hands: does it hold the dimensions and geometry the project needs, and is it ready to sign off or pass on to the next party.
What are DGN and IFC files?
What are DGN files?
DGN files are a native CAD file format used mainly by Bentley Systems' MicroStation software, but they are also supported by other applications. They store 2D and 3D design data for architecture, construction, and infrastructure projects and can contain vector graphics, raster images, and metadata.
What are IFC files?
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open, neutral file format. The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry uses it to exchange BIM (Building Information Modeling) data. IFC files contain both 3D geometry and non-geometric data such as properties, quantities, and spatial relationships. This allows architects and engineers to collaborate on a project even when they use different software.
DGN and IFC versions
- The DGN file format has two main versions. The original Intergraph DGN (V7) is a binary format from the late 1980s. The updated Bentley V8 DGN was introduced in 2000.
- Important IFC versions include the foundational IFC 1.0 and the IFC2x3 milestone (2005). The current version is the ISO-certified IFC4 (2013), with IFC4.3 (2024) as its latest update.
DGN and IFC characteristics
The DGN format is compatible with the AutoCAD DWG format. You can open and edit DWG files in MicroStation and import DGN files into AutoCAD.
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 do I open DGN and IFC files?
Open DGN files with the native MicroStation software or another compatible program. Options include Bentley View, AutoCAD with plug-ins, and web-based viewers such as Autodesk A360. The IFC format has an open, neutral architecture, so it is supported by many applications, including AutoCAD, FreeCAD, BlenderBIM, and other BIM viewers.
The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens DGN and IFC files and provides numerous measurement and analysis tools in an easy-to-use application. You can try 3D-Tool free for 14 days.
How do you convert DGN and IFC files?
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium reliably converts DGN and IFC models to common 3D exchange formats such as STEP, IGES, SAT, and Parasolid X_T. This also applies to models from many other CAD systems. However, the models must contain BREP data, meaning exact CAD geometry. You can convert 3D visualization data (MESH) only to visualization formats such as 3D-PDF, 3D-HTML, or 3MF.
The most common conversion is probably between DGN and IFC files, as well as between DGN/IFC and AutoCAD DWG files. A number of different converters and import interfaces are available for this, taking into account the special nature of BIM data.
Test the DGN and IFC viewer and converter for free
3D-Tool is a CAD Viewer with many 3D CAD interfaces, including DGN and IFC, as well as professional measurement functions, draft analysis, and wall thickness analysis.
- Open, dimension, annotate, and publish DGN and IFC files for the 3D-Tool Free Viewer or as 3D-PDF
- Open DGN and IFC files and save them as STL, 3DS, PLY, WRL, or OBJ
- Convert DGN and IFC data (BREP) to STEP, IGES, SAT, X_T, and JT
- Convert DGN and IFC models to 3D product visualizations such as 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, and glTF
Free, no-obligation 14-day trial with all features, the DGN/IFC interfaces, and the 3D-NativeCAD Converter. The trial key activates all 3D interfaces, such as CATIA, Designcenter (Siemens NX), SolidWorks, Creo, STEP, and SAT.
Fully functional 14-day trial
No commitment Cancel anytime
Start immediately Download in seconds
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between DGN and IFC?
DGN is a native CAD format used primarily by MicroStation for 2D and 3D design data. IFC is an open exchange format for Building Information Modeling (BIM). The distinction matters when requesting project data: DGN represents design data from its CAD environment, while IFC is intended for exchanging building information across applications. The available contents depend on the supplied file.
What information does an IFC file contain besides geometry?
Besides geometry, IFC files can contain properties, quantities, and spatial relationships. This allows building information to be exchanged between different applications. An IFC model is therefore more than a visual representation of a building. When exchanging files, clarify which information the recipient needs and whether the receiving application can use those contents.
Can I open DGN and IFC without additional CAD software?
Yes. The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens DGN and IFC files and provides measurement and analysis tools. A free 14-day trial is available. This allows recipients to inspect supplied models without working in the original authoring system. Use the trial with representative project files to determine whether the available measurement and analysis functions suit the task.
Can every DGN or IFC model be converted to STEP?
No. The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium requires exact CAD geometry (BREP) for conversion to STEP, IGES, SAT, or Parasolid X_T. Models containing only mesh data can be converted to visualization formats such as 3D-PDF, 3D-HTML, or 3MF. The file extension alone is therefore not enough to determine whether STEP conversion is possible.
What is IFC-SPF?
IFC-SPF is the STEP Physical Format representation of IFC data. It stores BIM data in a text-based form using the syntax defined by ISO 10303-21. This describes the way the IFC information is stored. It does not mean that the file is a conventional STEP CAD model or can be used wherever a STEP geometry file is expected.