DGN-DWG Terminology

AccuSnap

Osnap

Drafting tool for automatic snaps.

ACS

UCS

Coordinate system acronyms. ACS = Auxiliary Coordinate System; UCS = User Coordinate System.

ACTIVE LINESTYLESCALE

LTSCALE

Configuration/system variable used to define the scale of line scale/linetype patterns.

Block

Rectangle

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ByLevel setting

BYLAYER setting

Setting that controls whether color, line weight, and line style are set for each level (layer).

Callout bubble

Balloon

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Cell libraries

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No analogous AutoCAD term.

Cells: shared and normal

Blocks

In AutoCAD, all blocks behave like shared cells. There is no analogy to a normal cell.

Configuration variables

System variables

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Design model

Model space

DWG workmode and AutoCAD allow only one model. MicroStation DGN workmode allows multiple models.

DGN file

DWG file

Native file format for each program.

Drop Element

Explode

Command used to demote element/object types to lower level. For example, cells/blocks can be demoted to geometry.

Element Attributes

Properties

Title for current symbology of elements/objects.

Elements

Objects

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Fit View

Zoom extents

Command for zooming in on all elements currently in the drawing.

Global Freeze

Viewport Freeze (DWG workmode only)

Freeze layers

In MicroStation, pay attention to the Mode setting in the Level Display dialog box.

Handles

Grips

Vertices on geometry that can be selected and manipulated.

Key-in

Command line

Place for entering commands/variables manually.

Levels

Layers

Both programs have a “Manager” style dialog box for controlling level/layer symbology. MicroStation also has the Level Display dialog box for quick on/off settings.

Line styles

Linetypes

MicroStation standard line codes are not available in DWG workmode.

Merge into Master

Bind XREF

Inserting an external reference into the current drawing.

Message Center

Text window

Place for viewing text messages of program feedback.

Nested references

Nested references

MicroStation lets you control levels of nesting; AutoCAD does not.

Parasolid

ACIS

Native 3D modeling kernel for each program.

Patterning

Hatching

AutoCAD hatching relies on predefined patterns.

Pen tables

Plot styles

AutoCAD CTB and STB files can be imported into MicroStation.

Print

Plot

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References

References: attachments and overlays

AutoCAD references are also known as XREFs (for “eXternal REFerences”).

Seed files

Template drawing files

These files are used as a starting point for newly-created files. They store standard settings.

Shape

Region

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Sheet model

Drawing layout (paper space)

Unlimited sheet models (drawing layouts) allowed in both programs.

Smart Line

Polyline

Polylines can have variable width, as opposed to constant line weight.

Tags

Attributes

In AutoCAD, attributes must be part of a block.

View

Viewports

MicroStation views are more flexible in terms of display attributes and number.

View Attributes

(Drafting Settings)

In AutoCAD, there is no analogy to View Attributes. Some settings are found in the taskbar/drafting settings area.

Working units

Drawing units

MicroStation has a setting on the DWG Open dialog box for Design Center Units. This corresponds to AutoCAD's setting for “Drawing units for DesignCenter blocks”.