When you save a file to a different format, the file's contents may need to match specific design requirements. Often, these requirements specify element attributes such as levels, symbology, fonts, or cell names. The Remap capability lets you explicitly map element attributes to different values when you save the file to a different format. Remapping is available when you save the file with the Batch Converter or File > Save As.

Remapping can be used for several purposes:

• File Format Conversion - Since V8 files support more levels, longer cell names, and more font options than V7 files, you must use remapping, when saving a V8 file to a V7 MicroStation file. Similarly, MicroStation V8 supports more sophisticated line styles than AutoCAD, so some remapping may be needed when saving V8 DGN files to DWG.
• Drawing Standards Enforcement - When V7, V8, or DWG files are initially received from an outside organization, or when files are to be provided to another organization, there is often a need to change the levels or symbology of elements in the design file.
• Bulk Processing - The Batch Converter lets you set up a batch job that you can use repeatedly. Using remapping with the Batch Converter lets you quickly consolidate levels, change fonts, and change cell names.

A remapping table is used to specify the remapping of element attribute values in one file format (for example, DGN) to values in another file format. This table is saved as a CSV (comma separated value) file that is created by a macro embedded in a spreadsheet application.

You can create and edit the CSV file from the Remap tab on the Save As Options dialog. The remapping operation is applied to the elements just before saving them to the new output format specified by the Batch Converter utility or Save As dialog.