when we convert the AutoCAD file to a micro station file and open it inside the micro station after it is converted to dgn its shows that it is using AutoCAD color table and when we attach the micro station color table it changes the colors when it is converted to dgn what is the purpose of using AutoCAD color table? Why not add an option “create true color from DGN color indices “for AutoCAD to micro station conversion too?
There is an option to remap CSV files? How to use that? There is not even a single tutorial on this how-to retain AutoCAD colors after conversion to the micro station (with micro station color table)
Can anyone please create a demo video on how to use a CSV file to remap AutoCAD colors (I want to retain AutoCAD colors in dgn after conversion with Micro station color table)
I think you mean you want to keep the elements color value (red, blue, etc...) not retain the autocad color.
Instead of converting the file from DWG to DGN, another option would be to create a blank DGN with the MicroStation color table you require, then attach the DWG as a reference file and merge or copy it into the DGN. This will get you what you require, but if you need to convert a lot of files at one time, this may not be the most efficient way to do it.
Timothy Hickman
CADD Manager | CADD Department
timothy.hickman@colliersengineering.com
Main: 877 627 3772|
1000 Waterview Drive Suite 201 | Hamilton, New Jersey 08691
You can indeed use a CSV to remap from the AutoCAD color to whatever MicroStation color you want to use.
In the MicroStation Save As (to save from DWG to DGN) dialog, under the "Options" button dialog, there is a tab for remapping. You have the option to browse for a CSV if you already have one, or to let MicroStation create a new one for you to set up how you like. This CSV will open automatically in Excel, with a worksheet created for each type of mapping - you can ignore the parts you aren't interested in.
The "Color" worksheet has a bit of additional information that would be helpful:
"When MicroStation saves files to DWG, by default it maps the color indices in the DGN color table to the closest color in the (fixed) Autocad color table. If the DWGOutputColor entry is a color in the file’s color table, simply enter the number of the color in the DWGOutputColor column. If a fixed index in the Autocad color table is desired (i.e. if you do not want the color matching to be applied), enter the Autocad color number with the suffix “ac”, i.e., "15ac":
If the value in the Color column is enclosed in square brackets it is interpreted as "effective color". For example, if the Color column contains "[2]" then the remapping applies if either the element color is 2 or the element has its color set to ByLevel, and the ByLevel color of its level is set to 2.
If the keyword “%unmapped” appears in the Color column, then every element that has a color that does not otherwise appear in the Color column is mapped to the destination specified in the %unmapped row. If there is more than one %unmapped row in the section with the same values for the qualifiers columns, the last one is used.
If the keyword “%bylevel” appears in the V8OutputColor or DwgOutputColor column, then every element that has the color indicated is changed to be ByLevel. The V7 file format does not support ByLevel, so that keyword is invalid in the V7OutputColor column."
I added the bolding because that is a very important setting.
Once you have your CSV set up, just make sure that the remapping tab is pointing to it, and it should take care of your colors.
The AutoCAD color table is attached by default so that the translated file "looks right" for most people (who may not bother with mapping). I believe (but haven't tried it) you may be able to make sure that your MicroStation color table is attached to whichever file is defined as MS_TRANSEED (save settings afterward).
MaryB
Power GeoPak 08.11.09.918Power InRoads 08.11.09.918OpenRoads Designer 2021 R2
Muhamamd Abrar said:I want to retain AutoCAD colors in dgn after conversion with Micro station color table
Impossible as you have noticed for unknown reason ACAD table is also in resulted file so you will still need to attach default color table.
But using remap table it is possible to convert to MS colors.
One example - https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/f/fileformats-forum/84507/problems-with-colour-table-converting-from-dwg-to-dgn/238656#238656
Another example attached with closest color mapping:
dwg2dgn-colors.xlsdwg2dgn-colors.csv
One option indeed would be convert to True color before remap so colortable is not used.
You could edit this macro to achieve that - (+) Reset ByLevel attributes to fixed - MicroStation Files - MicroStation - Bentley Communities
Proof of concept but needs to handle ByLevel and Fill colors.
Drop-Indexcolor-to-RGB.mvba