DGN Export

Description

The DGN Export node automates the process of exporting Bentley MicroStation (.DGN) files to output formats such as PDF, DWF, PLT, PNG, or JPG.
It supports both standard and advanced export settings and can publish using Bentley View or MicroStation through COM Interop.

This node is used to:

• Convert engineering drawings into PDF for distribution or archival
• Automate plotting of DGN files with consistent settings
• Apply conditional export logic using advanced configuration tables

Currently, only PDF export is fully implemented.

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How to Use

When added to a workflow, this node presents a configuration form with the following input fields.

Field	Type	Description	Required	Visible When
Local File Full Path	Text	Full path to the DGN file to export. Example: C:\Projects\Drawings\Layout001.dgn	✅	Always
Export Type	Picklist	The desired output format. Options: PDF, DWF, PLT, PNG, JPG	✅	Always
Advanced Export Settings	JSON Object	Optional advanced configuration object defining multiple export profiles or controls (see below).	❌	Optional
Paper Size	Text	The paper size to use for export (e.g., A3, A1).	❌	Always
Orientation	Text	Page orientation: Landscape or Portrait.	❌	Always
Plot Area	Text	Area of the model to export. Options: Extents, Window, View, Fence.	❌	Always
Color Mode	Text	Color mode for the output. Options: Color, Monochrome, Grayscale.	❌	Always
Output Mode	Text	Whether to output a single file or multiple files. Options: Single File, Multiple Files.	❌	Always
Plot Config	Text	Path to a .pltcfg file defining plotter configuration.	❌	Always
Models to Export	Text	Which models to export: All, Default, or Named.	❌	Always
Window Coordinates	Text	For Window plot area only — defines the coordinate bounds of the region to export. Format: x1,y1,z1;x2,y2,z2	❌	Only when Plot Area = Window
Scale	Text	Plot scale ratio (e.g., Fit to Page, 1:1, 1:2).	❌	Always
Center on Page	Boolean	Whether to center the drawing on the page.	❌	Always
Apply Line Weights	Boolean	Whether to apply line weights when exporting.	❌	Always
Plot Border	Boolean	Whether to include a border in the output.	❌	Always
Publisher Method	Text	The export method used — currently supports COM Interop via Bentley View or MicroStation.	❌	Always

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Default Behavior

If no Advanced Export Settings are provided, the node uses the following defaults:

Setting	Default Value
Paper Size	A3
Orientation	Landscape
Plot Area	Extents
Color Mode	Color
Output Mode	Single File
Plot Config	(empty)
Models to Export	All
Scale	Fit to Page
Center on Page	true
Apply Line Weights	true
Plot Border	false
Publisher Method	COM Interop

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Advanced Export Settings (Optional)

The Advanced Export Settings field allows you to define structured JSON settings for conditional exports or multiple configurations.

Behavior

• If a Control Property is provided, the node looks up a matching row from rows where Paper Size equals that control value.
• If found, that row’s settings override the defaults.
• If no match is found, the first row is used as a fallback.
• Any direct NodeData inputs (like Paper Size or Orientation) override both defaults and advanced settings.

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Example Configuration

Example 1 – Standard PDF Export

Setting	Example Value
Local File Full Path	C:\Projects\Drawings\Layout001.dgn
Export Type	PDF
Paper Size	A3
Orientation	Landscape
Plot Area	Extents
Color Mode	Color

Result: Exports the specified DGN file to a single-page, color A3 landscape PDF.

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Example 2 – Conditional Advanced Export

Setting	Example Value
Local File Full Path	C:\Projects\Drawings\Layout002.dgn
Export Type	PDF
Advanced Export Settings	(JSON as above)
Publisher Method	COM Interop

Result: Automatically applies different export settings based on the “Paper Size” control variable.

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Outputs

After successful execution, this node produces the following outputs.

Output Variable	Type	Description
Exported Files	Text (semicolon-separated list)	Full paths of exported files.
Export Count	Number	Number of exported files.
Local File Full Path	Text	Path to the primary exported file (for single file outputs).
Processing Time	Text	Total export time in seconds.
Publisher Method	Text	Method used to publish (currently COM Interop).
Application Used	Text	The Bentley application used (MicroStation or Bentley View).
Connected Application	Text	The detected COM-connected application instance.
Processed Models	Text	Comma-separated list of processed model names.

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Example Workflow Usage

1. Use a Vault Get File or File Copy node to retrieve a .DGN file.
2. Add a DGN Export node to convert it to PDF.
3. Use Data Operations → JoinStringArray or Upload File nodes to process or transfer the exported PDF.
4. Optionally use Advanced Export Settings to automatically adjust layout based on drawing metadata.

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Status Messages

Status	Description
Completed	Export successful.
Fail	The DGN file could not be found, or an unsupported export type was specified.
Warning	Export completed with minor issues (e.g., window coordinates invalid, defaults applied).

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Error Handling

If export fails, the node logs diagnostic details and stops the workflow at this step. Common causes include:

• Missing or invalid DGN file path
• Unsupported export type (only PDF currently supported)
• Bentley View or MicroStation not installed or unavailable
• Invalid advanced settings JSON or control property mismatches

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Notes

• Only PDF export is currently implemented. Other export types (DWF, PLT, PNG, JPG) are reserved for future updates.
• The node automatically detects whether Bentley View or MicroStation is available for publishing.
• For best results, use Bentley View CONNECT Edition or later.
• Supports both Fit to Page and manual scale definitions (e.g., 1:2).
• COM Interop publishing requires Bentley software installed on the automation server.

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Category: CAD → Bentley Task Name: DGNExport