Files with the file extension DGN are associated with multiple programs and applications and various file types. The programs and applications include MicroStation, Dragon 32 and Intergraph. DGN files contain data and information related to the program that created the file.
If the file extension DGN is related to MicroStation, it is a CAD file type that contains two and three dimensional drawings, mathematical calculations, lines, objects, and other components used with Computer Aided Design (CAD). MicroStation is an application that provides an information modeling environment for the engineering, architecture, and construction industries.
DGN files that are associated with Dragon 32 are a text file type that contains design information which can be edited in a non-graphic format. This type of DGN file is created using the Dragon 32 Emulator program which allows you to work with gaming files.
If the DGN files are created with ArcView, the file is a graphics and image file type that contains maps, models, analysis data, lines, shapes, objects, layouts, and other elements which are necessary for performing spatial analysis. ArcView is currently called ArcGIS and is a program by ESRI that provides a way to convert data into information that can be analyzed in a Geographic Information System (GIS). ESRI is a division of the Intergraph Corporation.
How to Open DGN Files
Since DGN files are associated with multiple programs and applications, double click on the file to see if it will automatically open in a default program you have installed on your PC. DGN files can consist of different file types, so you may already have a program which will open the file.
If the DGN files are related to MicroStation and you use the Windows operating system, you can open the files with MicroStation, which is available as a free download on the Bentley Software website. You can also view the contents of a DGN file using Bentley View, which can also be downloaded free of cost on the same website.
For Mac OS X, MicroStation DGN files can be opened using TurboCAD Deluxe v6, which is available as a free trial on the TurboCAD website.
DGN files which are created with Dragon 32 can be opened using the Dragon 32 Emulator application, which is available as a free download on the Softpedia website. Dragon 32 Emulator is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and the Linux operating system.
Since Dragon 32 DGN files are text-based, you can open them using a variety of text editing programs. If you use Windows, you can open DGN files with WordPad, Notepad, or Open Office Writer. For Mac OS X, you can use Apple TextEdit, TextMate, Apple Pages, or Microsoft Word. You can also open DGN files on the Linux operating system using AbiWord, gEdit, Nano Editor, or Vim.
DGN files that are associated with ArcView or ArcGIS by Intergraph can be opened using ESRI ArcGIS Desktop for Windows. ArcGIS can be downloaded as a free trial version on the ESRI website and requires Microsoft .NET framework on a Windows PC. If you have Windows installed on a Mac PC, you must add BootCamp, Parallels, or VMWare in order to open DGN files using ArcGIS.
