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Bentley DGN Reader for Windows 7 is a shell extension that enables you to preview CAD schematics without using complex applications. This enables you to easily check the content of a Bentley DGN file in Outlook or other apps that use the Windows preview feature.

The DGN format is a popular format for the engineers and CAD users who create drawings and schematics. The format is based on the Intergraph Standard File specification and allows you to store accurate coordinates for multiple design types.

Since the file is not supported natively by Windows, you would need a CAD viewer or another software solution to explore the content. However, Bentley offers you an additional alternative which enables you to preview the drawing just as you would view a simple image file.

After installing the program you should notice that Windows Explorer displays the content of the file in the thumbnail. This enables you to identify certain drawings without having to open them with your viewer.

If you receive an email with an attached DGN file, Outlook is able to display the content in the attachment preview window. Moreover, the preview includes tools for exploring the schematic and allows you to view the details about a certain element by placing your mouse cursor over it.

For instance, you can zoom the drawing to the desired level, pan to a certain element and use the popup message to check its name or size. These features can also be accessed in Windows Explorer and other programs that use the preview capability.

When you need to explore the DGN files and share them with colleagues or clients, the Bentley DGN Reader is an easy to use alternative that is embedded in Windows applications.