Opening DWG Files

In MicroStation, you can work directly in a DWG file. Once you choose a DWG file to open, MicroStation automatically enables the DWG workmode. MicroStation also automatically detects the release version of the DWG file (for example, 2004). When you make changes to the DWG file, they are saved in the same release version.

Password-protected DWG files can be opened in MicroStation. When you attempt to open a password-protected file, a dialog box prompts you to enter the password.

1. From the File menu, choose Open.
   The Open dialog box opens.


2. From the List Files of Type option menu, choose one of the following:
   — CAD Files [*.dgn, *.dwg, *.dxf]
   — AutoCAD Drawing Files [*.dwg]
   — AutoCAD DXF Files [*.dxf]
   — All Files [*.*]


3. (Optional) To change the selected directory, choose one of the following from the menu bar of the Open dialog box:
   — Directory > Select Configuration Variable
   — Directory > Current Work Directory
   — Directory > <directory_path>


4. Select a DWG file to open.
   Note that once you select a DWG file, the DWG Options button is available. Also note that a thumbnail image of the file's contents appears in view pane on the dialog box.


5. (Optional) To specify DWG file open options, click the DWG Options button.
   The DWG Open Options dialog box opens.


6. (Optional) Using the controls on the DWG Open Options dialog box, set the options for opening DWG files.


7. (Optional) To close the DWG Open Options dialog box, click OK.


8. To close the Open dialog box, click OK.

Recovering corrupt or invalid DWG/DXF files

DWG or DXF files may contain inconsistent, corrupt, or lost data caused by certain application programs, improper editing techniques, hardware problems, or software problems.

In many cases, MicroStation can correct or ignore errors within a DWG/DXF file. If a file with errors is being opened with read-only access or as a reference, then MicroStation automatically performs a recovery process on the in-memory version of the file, which effectively ignores the errors. The Message Center displays a warning that errors were encountered.

If a file is being opened with write access, then an alert box is displayed with the following message: “The File: filename.dwg contains errors that prevent opening it. Do you wish to attempt to recover the file by correcting these errors?” If you click OK, MicroStation attempts to recover the file. If the recovery is successful, the file is opened, and the Message Center verifies the successful recovery.

To recover DWG/DXF files without opening them, use the Recover command (Utilities > DWG > Recover).