Cross-reference of MicroStation to AutoCAD Terms

Understanding the differences between MicroStation and AutoCAD terminology helps when attaching DGN files as underlays.

The table below explains many of the different terms that are used in MicroStation and provides a reference to the term that is used in AutoCAD when possible.

MicroStation to AutoCAD Terms
MicroStation Term	AutoCAD Term	Notes
AccuSnap	Osnap	Drafting tool for automatic snaps.
ACS	UCS	Coordinate system acronyms. ACS = Auxiliary Coordinate System UCS = User Coordinate System
ByLevel setting	BYLAYER setting	Setting that controls whether color, line weight, and line style are set for each level (layer).
Cell libraries	N/A	No reference in AutoCAD terminology.
Cells: shared and normal	Blocks	In AutoCAD, all blocks behave like shared cells. There is no reference in AutoCAD terminology to a normal cell.
Design model	Model space	DWG workmode and AutoCAD only allow for a single model. MicroStation DGN workmode allows for multiple models.
DGN file	DWG file	Native file format for each program.
Drop Element	Explode	Command used to demote element/object types to lower level. For example, cells/blocks can be demoted to geometry.
Element Attributes	Properties	Name for characteristics of elements/objects.
Fit View	Zoom extents	Command for zooming in on all elements currently in the drawing. MicroStation’s “Fit View” tool fits only visible geometry. “Zoom Extents” area includes layers that have display turned off.
Handles	Grips	Vertices on geometry that can be selected and manipulated.
Key-in	Command Line	Place for entering commands/variables manually.
Levels	Layers	Organizational structure used to control the appearance of objects in a drawing.
Line styles	Linetypes	Setting used to control the appearance of the line work in a drawing.
Merge into Master	Bind XREF	Inserting an external reference into the current drawing.
Message Center	Text Window	Place for viewing text messages from program feedback.
Parasolid	ACIS	Native 3D modeling kernel for each program.
Patterning	Hatching	Filling of a defined area with a defined pattern.
Pen tables	Plot styles	Used to control how linework appears when printing or plotting.
References	References: attachments, overlays, and underlays	References to the current drawing are stored externally, which keeps the file size down, but still allows for access to the geometry for drafting and plotting. In Microstation, you can have references with Live Nesting or No Nesting. References with No Nesting are translated as overlays in AutoCAD-based products. MicroStation V7 does not support nested references.
Seed file	Template drawing file	Files are used as a starting point for newly created files and store commonly used settings. For DGNEXPORT, the chosen seed file determines what master and sub units are used for translation to DGN as well as resolution and accuracy values.
Sheet model	Drawing layout (paper space)	Commonly used to control the output of a drawing for plotting.
Smart Line	Polyline	Multi-segmented lines.
Tags	Attributes	Element used to store textual information in a cell (block).
View	Viewport	Used to control the visibility of different sections of a drawing.
View Attributes	Drafting settings	There is no direct reference in AutoCAD terminology. Similar options can be found in the taskbar/drafting settings area of AutoCAD.
Working units	Drawing units	Used to control command input values that are dependent on unit values.