Future Version - How to determine which one?

Hello,

I've recently inherited a few dozen solidworks files. I'm using SW
2003 and when I go to open the files it says "Future Version." I'm
assuming that means....future version, so how do I figure out which
one? I can possibly get my hands on 2004 and 2005, does it matter
which one I use? Also, in the same folder are a ton of files of type
"certificate trust list." What does that mean, it sounds important.
Thanks for any help, -Todd

 

Easiest way is to look at the properties of the SWx files and see when they
were created....That should give you an idea of the version that created it.
Chances are though that if you get the SWx 2005, it'll open them up. Just
remember, you'll have to use that version for any editing as you know you
can't save them as a previous version....

Scott

 

Actually it does...If he has 2003, and the files were created using 2005,
then upgrading to 2004 and attempting to open the files will yield him the
same "future version" results....

Scott

 

No it does not. Get the most recent you can.
You can also download the SolidWorks Viewer

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/products/solutions/viewer.html

HIH
JM

 

Will 2005 open everything before it? 2004 is easy for me to get a copy
of, 2005 might take some work. Thanks for the link, -Todd

 

The ""certificate trust list" files are probably stereolithography
(.STL) files. For some reason Windows gives them this description.
You should be able to import them into SolidWorks.

 

It is a long shot, but try TSToolbox. You can find it at
http://www.engtran.com/SWBM001.html

 

Yes

 

How will looking at the file properties tell you what version of SW created
it? I see no reference in the prop's that will tell you what version created
it. Only when it was created.. . 2003 will still create files long after
2006 is dead and buried...

jb..

 

Looking a file's properties will NOT provide any useful information
about the version of SolidWorks used to create it.

For example you could have an old legacy SolidWorks 1996 file that was
copied from one drive to another. The copy will show the date it was
written to disk so, if that were done today the date would show as a
creation of November 18, 2005. With the date as a basis would one
assume that it must have been created by SolidWorks 2005?

If the file is read into a HEX Editor, then its contents can be viewed
as pages of symbols and some legible text. By scrolling through or
searching for text strings, it is possible to find references to
SolidWorks which can be used to help identify the version. This can be
helpful, but not necessarily definitive...

NOTE: Obviously, you don't want to modify and save a file that's been
viewed in the HEX Editor program!

Per O. Hoel

 

I didn't say it was an fool proof way, but it will give you an idea. *Most*
companies currently using SWx are on teh subscription plan which means that
*usually* they are running the current or latest SP of the previous version.
So chances are that if the last modified date in the file properties is
2-3-04, that the file most likely saved as a SWx 2003 or 2004 version.