Error Exporting V8 DGN to V7 DGN

We use MicroStation CE Update 10. When attempting to export V8 DGN file to V7 DGN file by File - Export - Common File Types - V7 Format Design (*.dgn), the warning message "Error creating file ..." would come up. 

Despite the warning message, the V7 DGN would still be created. The problem is this V7 DGN is significantly smaller in file size with most of elements missing in there. Is there any settings I can do to get all elements exported? Or is this some kind of bug? 

Thank you in advance for all your help.

  • Is this a simple drawing of lines, arcs and text, or are you using more complex elements or structures? V7 is pretty old, and there have been quite a few advances in elements since the V8 format was introduced. Going back to V7, there may be limitations on the number of vertices in a line string all the way to element types that simply didn't exist in that format.

    It may be worth taking a copy of your drawing, and Dropping everything down to it's most primitive elements, and seeing how well that will save back down.

    MaryB

    Power GeoPak 08.11.09.918
    Power InRoads 08.11.09.918
    OpenRoads Designer 2021 R2

        

  • Mary,

    Thank you for the quick reply. It's a 2D contour model with a lot of lines and arcs plus some text. (See image below) The level names are "Level ##". I am able to export this particular file to V7 using MicroStaion V8i on another computer correctly. I am not sure why MicroStation CE can't do it.

  • this is not necessary to convert CE  to V7.

    v8i and CE file format is the same file format, only real difference is the CE  Items ( which replaced tags ) and CE labels these are not supported in v8i   but lines and text  remain the same.... so a topo file like your showing  should be totally readable in V8i...

    If however  you are attempting  to  export  to a format more compatible than V8i / CE dgn for use in another program not  a Bentley product then try dwg or dxf export instead of V7..., make sure  your  source file is not  a multimodle this can cause issues for some  when exporting...

    Lorys

    Started msnt work 1990 - Retired  Nov 2022 ( oh boy am I old )

    But was long time user V8iss10 (8.11.09.919) dabbler CE  update 16 (10.16.00.80) 

    MicroStation user since 1990 Melbourne Australia.
    click link to PM me 

  • If the client needs a V7 drawing (for whatever reason...) then the file will indeed need to be converted.

    There are still enough bugs/issues with CE that it may be worth keeping a copy of V8i around, just for those things CE cannot do. Shuling - do make sure to file a service report with Bentley Support so they can be aware of this issue, track it if it is a bug, and possibly offer a workaround (if they know of one).

    MaryB

    Power GeoPak 08.11.09.918
    Power InRoads 08.11.09.918
    OpenRoads Designer 2021 R2