Microstation Design Files (DGN)
These are also known as DGN files.
Data is encapsulated in a single file, usually with the suffix .dgn; for example: 0824t.dgn.
Access is available in MapServer through OGR.
The CONNECTIONTYPE
OGR parameter must be
used.
The path to the dgn file is required; file extension is needed.
All types of features in a DGN file are held in one
“layer” of data. The layer is called elements and is the first and only
layer.
The type of feature to be read from the DGN depends on the
TYPE parameter in the map
file.
DGN files typically contain POINT, LINE, POLYGON, and ANNOTATION feature types.
DGN files contain “styling” information, i.e., how to
color and present the data. This is used, optionally, by
specifying the STYLEITEM
"AUTO" parameter.
Note that no geometry/feature type for the layer is identified because it can be multiple types.
> ogrinfo /data/dgn/0824t.dgn
Had to open data source read-only.
INFO: Open of '0842t.dgn'
using driver 'DGN' successful.
1: elementsDGN files aren’t really GIS data files. They evolved from drafting formats used by computer-aided drafting/design (CADD) programs.
They carry a few key attributes that are usually consistent
across all DGN files. Most of the attributes relate to graphical
styling of features for map presentation, such as ColorIndex, Style, etc.
Spatial reference system information isn’t always encoded into DGN files. This can be a major problem when trying to adequately reference the DGN data in another mapping program.
Measurement units can be a problem. In some cases the
features could be located in kilometers or feet even though it
isn’t obvious from the output of ogrinfo. Sometimes the only way to
identify or correct a problem with units is to open the file in
Microstation software.
> ogrinfo -summary /data/dgn/0824t.dgn elements
INFO: Open of '0824t.dgn'
using driver 'DGN' successful.
Layer name: elements
Geometry: Unknown (any)
Feature Count: 22685
Extent: (-513183.050000, 150292.930000) - (-224583.220000, 407463.360000)
Layer SRS WKT:
(unknown)
Type: Integer (2.0)
Level: Integer (2.0)
GraphicGroup: Integer (4.0)
ColorIndex: Integer (3.0)
Weight: Integer (2.0)
Style: Integer (1.0)
EntityNum: Integer (8.0)
MSLink: Integer (10.0)
Text: String (0.0)