Blocks

AutoCAD Block Definitions

In MicroStation, shared cells, which are similar to AutoCAD blocks, are used to insert predefined data blocks into a drawing. A shared cell can have many instances, but only one definition is stored in the DGN file. An unshared (normal) cell inserts the full definition each time the cell is placed. Thus, shared cells make cell replacement easier and the file size smaller.

Since any *.dgn or *.cel file can be used as a cell library, you can create an empty file to store cells. When cells are created, they are defined as either graphic or point cells. A graphic cell assumes the symbology from the elements contained within, while a point cell assumes the active symbology at the time it was inserted.