Conversion program between AutoCAD and Intergraph/Microstation
CONNEX-A/I is the first bi-directional, full-confirmation conversion program between AutoCAD and Intergraph/Microstation. The primary function of CONNEX-A/I is to provide a quick and easy means to move back and forth between AutoCAD drawings and Intergraph/Microstation design files with an absolute minimum loss of graphic or data integrity.
CONNEX-A/I is much more than a file translator. Rather than merely reading and interpreting one file and then writing another, CONNEX-A/I reads and displays both the AutoCAD (.DWG) and Intergraph/Microstation (.DGN) binary file formats. Once displayed, a file can be inspected or plotted, layers can be turned on or off, and it can be converted to the new binary format as well.
The CONNEX-A/I operator might choose to view the imported file more completely or even produce a "plot file" for hard copy output prior to the export step. CONNEX-A/I allows the operator to PAN and ZOOM within the display or to plot to an HPGL file.
Direct Conversion with Two Simple Steps
At the core of CONNEX-A/I is a program that can read, display, and write both the AutoCAD and Intergraph/Microstation binary file formats. It is not necessary to use any intermediate file such as .DXF to implement the file conversion. Conversions proceed quickly and efficiently with a significant reduction in the number of steps required compared to any other conversion method.
In its simplest form, the process of file conversion consists of two steps: import and export. The initial file format is read and displayed; then the alternate file format is written. When installed correctly, CONNEX-A/I automatically compensates for discrepancies between data in the two formats to the greatest possible degree when creating the output file. Entity mismatches are automatically overcome, and the integrity of block/cell conversions is maintained, as are the data structures, i.e., the external data links, UCS coordinate data, patterned lines, and most three dimensional entities.
Support Different Versions of AutoCAD and Intergraph/Microstation
CONNEX-A/I supports AutoCAD Release 9, 10, 11 and 12 (.DWG) drawing files as well as Intergraph/Microstation (.DGN) drawing files up through version 5.0 of MicroStation. Both 2D and 3D drawings can be read, displayed, and converted. Users may list entities and examine and select specific layers for export. User-defined RUN files, or macros, are supported in order to set up the conversion environment automatically. Batch processing mode is available for automatic multiple file conversion.