The characteristics,application methods and the application scope in painting workshop design of MicroStation software were introduced.A recommended 3D forward design process based on a single software platform(MicroStation)and a single file format(.dgn)was presented.Recommended software tools and design methods were given for various types of equipment,such as tank,booth,pipe,duct,steel plaform,conveyor,cable tray.High efficient 3D design of paint shop was realized by using the standard function,configuration and custom setting of MicroStation software.