MicroStation can open, import, and export files of the following formats:

• IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) — a public domain, ANSI standard, interchange file format that is intended as an international standard for the exchange of product definition data between different CAD/CAM systems. For information that is specific to IGES translation, see IGES File Exchange. For information about exporting IGES files that are compliant with the CALS Class I or Class II specifications, see Exporting CALS-compliant IGES files.
• Parasolid XMT — a file format that converts Parasolid XMT data into (import) or from (export) a MicroStation DGN file.
• ACIS SAT — a file format that converts ACIS SAT data into (import) or from (export) a MicroStation DGN file.
• CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile) — an ANSI standard for the exchange of picture data between different graphics software. CGM file exchange is device-independent and environment-independent.
• STEP AP203/AP214 — a file format that converts STEP AP203 and AP214 data into (import) or from (export) a DGN file. AP203 conformance classes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are supported. Although both DIS and IS versions of AP203 are supported, DIS is supported for background compatibility only.
• VRML World (export only) — a file format that translates MicroStation into VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language), including placing interactive links between geometry in the VRML world and other Internet locations or VRML worlds.
• STL (Stereolithography) — a file format that converts STL files into (import) or from (export) a MicroStation DGN file.
• DWG & DXF — a file format that converts DWG or DXF files into (import) or from (export) a MicroStation DGN file.
• TerrainModel LandXML (import only) — a file format that converts XML files into a DGN file.
• Image (import only) — file formats that convert image files such as JPG, BMP, TIF, GIF, and others to a DGN file.
• Text (import only) — a file format that converts TXT files into a DGN file.
• FBX — a file format that converts FBX files into (import) or from (export) a DGN file.
• IFC (import only) — a file format that converts IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) files into a DGN file.
• SVG (export only) — a file format that translates MicroStation DGN file into SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics).
• OBJ (export only) — a file format that translates MicroStation DGN file into OBJ.
• SketchUp — a file format that translates SketchUp (SKP) into (import) or from (export) a MicroStation DGN file.
• Luxology (export only) — a file format that translates a DGN file into Luxology (LXO).
• Google Earth (export only) — a file format that translates a DGN file into Google Earth (KML).
• Collada (export only) — a file format that translates a DGN file into Collada (DAE) file that is fully compliant to Collada 1.4.0 standard.
• U3D — (export only) — a file format that translates a DGN file into U3D (Universal 3D).
• JT— a file format that converts JT data into (import) or from (export) a MicroStation DGN file.
• Acute3D SmartCapture (opened as read-only; can be saved as DGN) — a file format native to the photogrammetry software Smart3DCapture.

The exported file formats support dynamic views. If you print a dynamic view to 3D PDF, or if you export a dynamic view to a 3D export format such as SketchUp or OBJ, the results that you see will match the dynamic view. For example, you have a dynamic view that is divided by a section plane such that half of the model is transparent. When you print the dynamic view to 3D, the resulting PDF matches the dynamic view.

A number of third-party translators to various formats are available from Bentley Developer Network member vendors.

The system Clipboard, if one exists, can be used to exchange data with other applications.