DGN-DWG Terminology
OpenPlant Support Engineering Term | Corresponding AutoCAD Term | Notes |
---|---|---|
AccuSnap | Osnap | Drafting tool for automatic snaps. |
ACS | UCS | Coordinate system acronyms. ACS = Auxiliary Coordinate System; UCS = User Coordinate System. |
ACTIVE LINESTYLESCALE | LTSCALE | Configuration/system variable used to define the scale of line scale/linetype patterns. |
Block | Rectangle | — |
ByLevel setting | ByLayer setting | Setting that controls whether color, line weight, and line style are set for each level (layer). |
Callout bubble | Balloon | — |
Cell libraries | — | No analogous AutoCAD term. |
Cells: shared and normal | Blocks | In AutoCAD, all blocks behave like shared cells. There is no analogy to a normal cell. |
Configuration variables | System variables | If the open file is a DWG file,
AutoCAD system variables and
their values are listed in the
Properties dialog in
File Browse mode. These variables are DWG-specific, and there is no
correspondence in the DGN format.
If a DWG file is saved in DGN format, AutoCAD system variable values will not be accessible even if they were inserted in fields. Therefore, it is recommended that you not insert AutoCAD system variable values in fields in a DWG file that you expect to save to DGN format. |
Design model | Model space | DWG workmode and AutoCAD allow only one model. DGN workmode allows multiple models. |
DGN file | DWG file | Native file format for each program. |
Drawing model | Model space | DWG workmode and AutoCAD allow only one model. DGN workmode allows multiple models. |
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 | Title for current symbology of elements/objects. |
Elements | Objects | — |
Fit View | Zoom extents | Command for zooming in on all elements currently in the drawing. |
Global Freeze
Viewport Freeze (DWG workmode only) |
Freeze layers | In OpenPlant Support Engineering , pay attention to the Mode setting in the Level Display dialog. |
Handles | Grips | Vertices on geometry that can be selected and manipulated. |
Key-in | Command line | Place for entering commands/variables manually. |
Levels | Layers | Both programs have a "Manager" style dialog for controlling level/layer symbology. OpenPlant Support Engineering also has the Level Display dialog for quick on/off settings. |
Line styles | Linetypes | OpenPlant Support Engineering standard line codes are not available in DWG workmode. |
Merge into Master | Bind XREF | Inserting an external reference into the current drawing. |
Message Center | Text window | Place for viewing text messages of program feedback. |
Nested references | Nested references | OpenPlant Support Engineering lets you control levels of nesting; AutoCAD does not. |
Parasolid | ACIS | Native 3D modeling kernel for each program. |
Patterning | Hatching | AutoCAD hatching relies on predefined patterns. |
Pen tables | Plot styles | AutoCAD CTB and STB files can be imported into OpenPlant Support Engineering . |
Plot | — | |
References | References: attachments and overlays | AutoCAD references are also known as XREFs (for "eXternal REFerences"). |
Seed files | Template drawing files | These files are used as a starting point for newly-created files. They store standard settings. |
Shape | Region | — |
Sheet model | Drawing layout (paper space) | Unlimited sheet models (drawing layouts) allowed in both programs. |
Smart Line | Polyline | Polylines can have variable width, as opposed to constant line weight. |
Tags | Attributes | In AutoCAD, attributes must be part of a block. |
View | Viewports | OpenPlant Support Engineering views are more flexible in terms of display attributes and number. |
View Attributes | (Drafting Settings) | In AutoCAD, there is no analogy to View Attributes. Some settings are found in the taskbar/drafting settings area. |
Working units | Drawing units | OpenPlant Support Engineering has a setting on the DWG Open dialog for Design Center Units. This corresponds to AutoCAD's setting for "Drawing units for DesignCenter blocks." |