As of MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 1), the DWG files created by MicroStation are saved using Autodesk-authored code that is called RealDWG. Because of this the files are accepted as "trusted" by AutoCAD. Therefore, you can open in AutoCAD a DWG file created or modified in MicroStation and you will not see an alert message saying that the DWG file is "Foreign" because it was saved in a non-Autodesk program.
Note: This document describes MicroStation functionality. However, Bentley V8i (SELECTseries 1) - Autodesk® RealDWGtm 2010 works with other V8i (SELECTseries 1) products. See the ReadMe for a complete list.
When a DGN file containing DGN-specific entities not understood by AutoCAD is saved in MicroStation as a DWG file, these entities are automatically converted to DWG-compatible entities so that they can be displayed properly in AutoCAD. MicroStation supports all DWG entity types and objects from AutoCAD 2006 and earlier. The following AutoCAD entities and objects introduced in AutoCAD versions 2007 through 2016 are supported as read-only:· annotative objects· multi-leaders· multi-line attributes· layer viewport overrides· column mtexts
Note: The DXF file format is an ASCII text representation of the DWG format. DXF is an interchange format historically used to exchange data between AutoCAD and other applications. You work with DXF data in MicroStation in the same manner as DWG data. DWG is preferable because its compact binary representation results in smaller files. For the remainder of this document, the term DWG refers to both DWG and DXF files.
An object enabler is a program that is required to interpret custom objects in a DWG file. If the object enabler is missing, some information in the DWG file might not display correctly. Prior to V8i (SELECTseries 1), MicroStation supported object enablers that were rewritten with the Open Design Alliance's library, however, there were many object enablers that did not support that library.
As of V8i (SELECTseries 1), MicroStation can directly run object enablers that also run on AutoCAD, so the graphical objects created by these enablers are displayed desirably. When you open a DWG file containing a custom object, and if the enabler is missing, an Alert window appears. The window lists all the missing enablers, some of which may have detailed information such as the provider of the enabler and the website from which you may find and download the needed enablers. Note that an enabler is not required to open a DWG file. When an enabler is missing, the file still opens and its custom objects become proxy objects. Object enablers that are written to conform to the guidelines published by Autodesk can also be used in programs that incorporate the RealDWG libraries. This is advantageous because when you have the object enabler for an entity, you no longer have to ask the person who provided the DWG file to save it with "proxies" enabled. MicroStation can instead use the object enabler to obtain the graphics representation of the custom entity.
Note: The editing and saving of custom objects in DWG files is not supported, whether the objects are enabled or not enabled. This includes custom objects created in products such as Bentley's ProSteel or AutoPLANT products, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD MEP, etc.
There are a number of advantages that result from using the RealDWG technology:· Improved DWG fidelity.· When opened in AutoCAD, DWG files saved in MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 1) and later editions will no longer show the alert box that says "This DWG file was saved by an application that was not developed or licensed by Autodesk..."· AutoCAD's standard SHX fonts are now readily available so you do not have to request them from the provider of the DWG.
The object enabler for Autodesk's Architectural Desktop is incorporated into the RealDWG delivery, and you do not have to install it. Other object enablers can be downloaded from their respective vendors and installed. Even if you have previously installed the object enabler to work with AutoCAD, you must go through the object enabler's installation process after you have installed MicroStation, so that it can be found and used by MicroStation.
Bentley V8i - Autodesk® RealDWG(TM) FAQ
Download-Object-Enablers