How do I transfer my Lineardraft design between CAD platforms? (Microstation CONNECT)

This article explains how to correctly transfer your Lineardraft design between CAD platforms using Lineardraft's Export and Import functions in Bentley MicroStation CONNECT.

Contents
Video Guide
How to Export your design from MicroStation CONNECT
How to Import your design into MicroStation CONNECT

For transferring Lineardraft designs between other CAD platforms, see our other articles here:
AutoCAD
Civil 3D
MicroStation V8i

Video Guide


Exporting from MicroStation CONNECT
To export your Lineardraft design project from MicroStation CONNECT, so it can then be imported into another CAD platform, complete the following steps:

Step 1: Ensure Lineardraft is running
Before loading up MicroStation CONNECT, make sure Lineardraft is running in your system tray and your Lineardraft plug-in, catalogues and project settings are all up to date (denoted by a green tick next to the icon).


Step 2: Open your design
Launch MicroStation CONNECT and open the project you want to export. After everything has loaded, move over to the Lineardraft tab and click on any button to ensure Lineardraft is running.


Step 3: Left click the 'Data: Export' button
Once Lineardraft has finished loading, go to the Data section of the Lineardraft tab, and click on the Export button. A file explorer window will open.


Step 4: Save your file
In the file explorer window, locate where you would like to save your file and what you want it to be called, then click save. This will export your Lineardraft design as an .ld file.


Importing into MicroStation CONNECT
To import your Lineardraft design project into MicroStation CONNECT from another CAD platform, complete the following steps:

The files you will need in order to import your Lineardraft design are:

- The .ld file you exported from the previous CAD platform
- Any additional reference files e.g., track files, topography data, signal sighting information etc.

Step 1: Ensure Lineardraft is running
Before loading up MicroStation CONNECT, ensure Lineardraft is running in your system tray and your Lineardraft plug-in, catalogues and project settings are all up to date (denoted by a green tick next to the icon).


Step 2: Open a new MicroStation CONNECT file
Launch MicroStation CONNECT and create a new file to load the Lineardraft file into. You will need to attach any supporting references in this new file (e.g., track files, topography data) as this data isn’t included in the .ld file.

IMPORTANT: make sure your new CAD file is set up with the same units as the original file. For example, if your original model was in Metric, ensure your new file is also in Metric.

Step 3: Ensure Lineardraft is loaded 
After you have loaded your reference files, move over to the Lineardraft tab and click on any button to ensure Lineardraft is running.

IMPORTANT: at this point the “Set Active Preset” window may open. This is asking you to pick your Project Settings. Choose which Project Settings you would like to use for your imported .ld file, then click confirm.


Step 4: Left click the 'Data: Import' button
Once Lineardraft has finished loading, go to the Data section of the Lineardraft tab, and click on the Import button. A file explorer window will open.


Step 5: Locate your .ld file
Locate the .ld file you exported from the previous CAD software in the file explorer window and open it.
From here Lineardraft will bring all of the structure information into the new project.



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