With the introduction of the V8 DGN format, these limits were removed and users now use level names with the unlimited levels, which allows for a more logical way of separating design data. When we had the limit of 63 levels for many years, MicroStation users had to get creative in how they could distinguish specific graphics for multiple purposes. Also, this is why DGN files contain multiple colors, line weights, and line types all on the same level. Now you see why the old DGN file used level numbers rather than level names. The reason I bring up such old DGN history is to help you understand why you see some of the data in the legacy DGN files in what appears to be very old naming and standard conventions. And many of these are similar to what you have in the AutoCAD environment. The implementation of many of these unlimited properties enhanced several of the capabilities that we have now have available in MicroStation. On the right, you'll see the properties from the V8 DGN file format. On the left, you see the properties from the previous version 7 DGN file format. Here is a comparison of both DGN file formats. With the explosion of Windows and CAD capabilities over the past few years, many of us anxiously awaited an overhaul of this DGN format with the release of the V8 DGN file format. This format was very fast and efficient and more than satisfied the needs of that time frame. Even though the software was not called MicroStation yet, the file format was the reliable DGN that we have all learned to love.

The DGN file has been the foundation of MicroStation since it's inception in the 1970's. First, let's explore a little history on the DGN file format. Open the file for chapter two, basic DGN concepts. We'll also discuss some of the basic settings defined in a design file that can affect your graphics.

This chapter the basic file types used in MicroStation, how to open and save files, and how to create a new design file.

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