DG to TXT Converter

DG to TXT Conversion Explained

Converting .DG (Digital Project) files to .TXT (Plain Text) extracts human-readable metadata, parameters, and structural data from a complex 3D BIM/CAD project file. When you convert .DG to .TXT, proprietary binary data becomes flat, unformatted text.

You gain universal accessibility. Anyone can read the resulting text file without expensive CAD software. However, you lose all 3D geometry, visual models, spatial relationships, and proprietary formatting. You trade visual and structural fidelity for universal readability. If you need to retain 3D models or visual layouts, this conversion is useless. You should export to .STEP, .IGES, or .IFC instead.

Typical Tasks and Users

This conversion is primarily used by BIM managers, data analysts, and software developers who need to extract data from engineering files. Common workflows include:

• Procurement: Extracting a Bill of Materials (BOM) or part lists to share with purchasing departments.
• Archiving: Pulling project metadata (author, dates, revisions, material tags) for long-term storage in databases.
• Version Control: Reading parameter values or scripting logs to track changes in Git or other text-based version control systems.

Software & Tool Support

.DG files require specialized engineering software. Digital Project (originally developed by Gehry Technologies, now part of Trimble) or CATIA (by Dassault Systèmes) can open, edit, and export data from these files natively.

.TXT files open in any text editor. Developers often use Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code, while standard OS tools like Windows Notepad and macOS TextEdit work perfectly for basic viewing. Extracting text from .DG files locally usually requires command-line tools, Python scripts using CAD APIs, or specialized extraction utilities.

Pros and Cons of the Conversion

Pros:

• Universal Compatibility: .TXT opens on any device, operating system, or web browser without CAD licenses.
• File Size: Plain text files are drastically smaller than heavy 3D project files, making them easy to email or store.
• Searchability: Text is easily indexed by search engines, databases, and command-line grep tools.

Cons:

• Total Geometry Loss: All 3D models, surfaces, and spatial data are permanently destroyed in the output file.
• Structure Loss: Hierarchical project trees and parametric relationships flatten into linear text.
• One-Way Process: You cannot convert a .TXT file back into a working .DG file.

Conversion Difficulties & Why Convert.Guru

The main technical problem when you convert .DG to .TXT is parsing the proprietary binary structure. Standard text converters will output garbled, unreadable characters if they attempt to read a .DG file directly. A proper conversion pipeline must identify text blocks, filter out binary geometry data, decode the text encoding (such as UTF-8 or UTF-16), and format the remaining metadata into readable lines.

Convert.Guru handles this parsing automatically. It safely extracts readable strings, metadata, and embedded text properties from the .DG file without requiring a Digital Project license. It ignores the binary geometry, prevents garbled output, and delivers a clean .TXT file containing only the readable data.

DG vs. TXT: What is the better choice?

Which format should you choose?

Choose .DG when actively designing, modeling, or sharing full project data with other engineers who use Digital Project. It is the only format that retains the parametric 3D data required for editing the actual design.

Choose .TXT when you only need to share part numbers, project parameters, or metadata with non-engineers. It is also the correct choice for archiving project text data for version control or database ingestion. Avoid this conversion entirely if your goal is to share 3D models with other CAD systems.

Conclusion

Converting .DG to .TXT makes sense only for specific data extraction tasks, such as pulling metadata or material lists. The biggest limitation to watch for is the complete and irreversible loss of all 3D geometry and project hierarchy. Convert.Guru provides a reliable, license-free way to extract this text data cleanly, making it an excellent choice for quick metadata retrieval without needing access to heavy CAD software.