newer file version in older solidworks?

hello, can anybody help me, I have file created in Solidworks 2006 and I
need to open it in Solidworks 2003, is that impossible and how i can do
that?

thank you very much!

 

As John stated, no CAD application can open a future version of a
file.

The only option is to save the newer file as a ParaSolid, Step, Iges,
etc.


Todd Engle
www.SymmetryMedical.com

 

.... And (in _SW_), you can save as any older version of parasolid, dxf, dwg,
acis, ....
..
..
.... But not an older version of _SW_

(I know, subject beaten to death...)

 

Actually there once was a 3D parametric CAD package that could open an
older version. It was called Pro/Engineer. When Pro/E had text based
part files it was possible to do a simple edit of the file and be
reasonably certain that it could be opened in an older version.

This changed when SW started making inroads in sales and began trying
to translate Pro/E files. Parametric then encrypted their data and
that was the end of that for a while.

Pro/E also generates what are called trail files which record the
steps to create a part. SW did that too in it's very first release
back in 1995. Now, if you look at the journal file and try to
reproduce what you did, 99% of the time you cannot reproduce what you
are supposedly journalling. You have to ask why create a journal file
for every SW file when you can't make a whole lot of use for it. In my
thinking a journal file should be recording everything necessary to
reproduce whatever model it is journalling.

So you could say SW is the industry leader in prevention of backward
compatibility. A couple years ago at SWW they announced that they
would be providing backward compatibility at least one or two releases
back. That quickly was forgotten.

TOP

P.S. SW has been a leader in forcing upgrades. At one employer where I
brought in SW, it forced the entire company to upgrade Excel because
SW required the latest and greatest. That was the only reason they had
for doing this upgrade and it has heppened more than once that SW has
forced upgrades of either Office or the OS. It is coming again with
VISTA.

 

I'll confirm this with glee! I did this on many projects where we
were working with 2 and sometimes 3 different versions of Pro/e!!
We did batch conversions of the header and I don't recall any problem
doing it! It was lifesaver at times when another group had not
upgraded or were not willing to upgrade or stopped upgrading!!! It
was a benefit which will be forever lost!!!!!
It was also kewl to just open the file and directly edit the values or
notes without having to open them in Pro/e!

Those days are pretty much gone and I'm sure some people welcome the M
$ way of life,... we are all becoming slaves too the system!!!

Oh, joy..... (sorry but it's true!)

 

I'll confirm this with glee! I did this on many projects where we
were working with 2 and sometimes 3 different versions of Pro/e!!
We did batch conversions of the header and I don't recall any problem
doing it! It was lifesaver at times when another group had not
upgraded or were not willing to upgrade or stopped upgrading!!! It
was a benefit which will be forever lost!!!!!
It was also kewl to just open the file and directly edit the values or
notes without having to open them in Pro/e!

Those days are pretty much gone and I'm sure some people welcome the M
$ way of life,... we are all becoming slaves too the system!!!

Oh, joy..... (sorry but it's true!)

 

Paul,

You are stuttering.

TOP

 

It's this POS google newsreader interface (my newsreader is not
working),... it sad it failed to send.... so, I hit send again!?

Oh, joy,... another poorly written interface (job security, #1)... or,
user error?

...

 

Curious Paul, what happened when the newer version of the file
contained features not in the older version.

I'd be happy enough if you could "save as", select a version and have
it save a dumb solid. That would save some steps and knowing which
parasolid version ot save to. Also match the face IDs so mates and
references to the geometry are maintained.

 

I don't recall having a problem with any features but it could very
well be that we/I were lucky and did not stumble on version
differences?

I agree, a simple save as or save project too a earlier version would
be great! Adding mates to the assembly would be wonderful!!

The thing which has always annoyed me with SW Corp on this issue,..
since this is big request, is,.. they have made NO effort in doing
anything!

What does that say about SW Corp? A clear linear approach to their
business model,.... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for their
investors.

It's main focus has never been about what the users really need/
want.... it's about what the other guys have which they can capitalize
on and how they can keep you upgrading (basically playing the margins
(what's acceptable) on wow factors (which wear off) and
performance,...)!

An area of concern for anyone serious and aware ...... Productivity,
Performance and Cost and of course sharing data with other legacy
users, our clients and our clients needs (who pays us?)!

... (never mind,... move on, nothing to see here...)