Creating a 3D Mesh from a Contour Drawing in Bentley MicroStation

In this tutorial, learn how to create a 3D surface mesh in MicroStation from a topography or contour drawing file (.dwg file) exported from Equator

Step 1: Source a contour drawing file

Step 2: Import drawing file (.dwg) into MicroStation and create 3D mesh

Find your site’s topographic data at Equator, export it as a Drawing File (.dwg) and create a 3D Mesh Surface in MicroStation

Step 1: Source Contour Drawing File

If you already have a topography or contour drawing file (.dwg), you can skip down to Step 2. If you need a contour drawing file, follow the steps below to generate a .dwg file using Equator.

  1. Locate your project site by using the Search tab or simply zooming into your site.
  2. Create your site boundaries by clicking on the +NEW SITE button on the bottom left of the screen. Use one of the predefined boundary boxes or create a custom boundary. Don’t forget to name your project site.
  3. Under the Data tab, click on the Contours (Format: DWG) option.
  4. The Contours dialog box will appear. Select your project site, source dataset and any customizations such as contour resolution and interval. Then click Generate.
  5. The contours for your project site will appear within the site boundary.
  6. To export the contours out of Equator as a .dwg file, go to the Layers tab and click the download button beside the contours layer.
  7. The Customize Download dialog box will appear. Select DWG as your format, set your coordinate system, and press Process.
  8. Your contours drawing file (.dwg file) will download into your Downloads file.
  • Equator Contour Drawing File Export Step 1
  • Equator Contour Drawing File Export Step 2
  • Equator Contour Drawing File Export Step 3
  • Equator Contour Drawing File Export Step 4
  • Equator Contour Drawing File Export Step 5
  • Equator Contour Drawing File Export Step 6
  • Equator Contour Drawing File Export Step 7

Step 2: Import Contour Drawing File (.dwg) into MicroStation and Create 3D Mesh

Note: This tutorial is created using MicroStation 2023 (version 23.00.00.108)

  1. Open the contours drawing that was downloaded from Equator. Under Options in the open menu, change Basic > Architectural or Engineering Units to Seed File Master Units (or Meters/Ft depending on what you downloaded your contour file in). This will ensure your projection and units matches your drawing.
  2. To make sure your surface is in the correct spot, turn on Bing Maps in the background.
  3. In the Mesh Surfaces tool box, select Mesh from Contours. Select all your contours.
  4. Your 3D mesh will be created. You can change the visualization of it by changing the Display Style in the Presentation menu.
  • Equator Contour Drawing to MicroStation Mesh Step 1
  • Equator Contour Drawing to MicroStation Mesh Step 2
  • Equator Contour Drawing to MicroStation Mesh Step 3
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  • Equator Contour Drawing to MicroStation Mesh Step 6
  • Equator Contour Drawing to MicroStation Mesh Step 7
  • Equator Contour Drawing to MicroStation Mesh Step 8

Ready to Create Your 3D Mesh in MicroStation? Visit Equator to Download Your Topography or Contour Drawing File (.dwg).