Product:	MicroStation
	Version:	All versions
	Environment:	N\A
	Area:	DGN
	Subarea:	Open

Problem

Get the message 'Invalid Design File' or 'Unable to Open File' error.

Solution

If it is a DGN file, the first thing to check is that you are not trying to open a V8 file in V7 or earlier MicroStation.

If it is a DWG file, check the AutoCAD version the file is in. Then check if that version is compatible with the version of MicroStation you are using to open the file.

If there are no version mismatches:
1. Start MicroStation to the MicroStation Manager screen
2. Left-click the File drop-down menu
3. Select New
4. Set the File Type to the type that the corrupt file is
5. Give the file a name
6. Make sure the seed file is the proper type
7. Select OK
8. Select OK again
9. Reference in the corrupted file

If the corrupted file doesn't show, go to step 2 for the corresponding file format.

If the corrupted file does show:
1. Detach all reference files from the corrupted file (they are now nested references)
2. Left-click on the File drop-down menu
3. Select Save As
4. Append the file name with _01
5. Make sure the Select Format To Save drop-down matches the file format of the corrupt file
6. In the lower right-hand corner left-click on Options
7. Select the References tab
8. Left-click on the External Attachments drop-down
9. Select Merge
10. Select OK twice.
11. Reattach all reference files


If the above doesn't work what you do next depends on the format of the file.
For V7 format : run EDG on the file.

See also

Other language sources

Original Author:

Bentley Technical Support Group