DGN-DWG Terminology

MicroStation PowerDraft 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 MicroStation PowerDraft, 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. MicroStation PowerDraft also has the Level Display dialog for quick on/off settings.
Line styles	Linetypes	MicroStation PowerDraft 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	MicroStation PowerDraft 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 MicroStation PowerDraft.
Print	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	MicroStation PowerDraft 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	MicroStation PowerDraft has a setting on the DWG Open dialog for Design Center Units. This corresponds to AutoCAD's setting for "Drawing units for DesignCenter blocks."