CADTutor: The best free help for AutoCAD on the web

AutoCAD FAQ

Knowledgebase Home | Glossary | Favorites | Login Knowledgebase Home | Glossary | Favorites | Login

Search the Knowledgebase


[Advanced Search]

Browse by Category

How can I convert a DWG file back to an older release?

Article Details

Last Updated
3rd o December, 2008

Original Author
David Bethel
Would you like to...
Print this pagePrint this page
Email this pageEmail this page
Post a commentPost a comment
Subscribe me
Add to favoritesAdd to favorites
Remove HighlightingRemove Highlighting
Edit this ArticleEdit this Article
Edit this Article Quick Edit
Export to PDF
User Opinions (26 votes)
84% thumbs up 15% thumbs down
How would you rate this answer?
Helpful
Not helpful
The easiest way to save a drawing file back to an older format is to use the SAVEAS command and select the format required under 'Files of Type'.
 


This table shows backward compatibility for AutoCAD releases:

 Release  DWG formats  DXF formats
 2008  2007, 2004, 2000, R14  2007, 2004, 2000, R12
 2007  2004, 2000, R14  2004, 2000, R12
 2005LT  2004, 2000  2004, 2000, R12
 2004  2000  2004, R12
 2002  2000, R14, R13  2000, R14, R13, R12
 2000  R14, R13  R14, R13, R12
 R14  R13, R12  R13, R12



The following stand alone software programs can perform drawing file backward conversions:

  • AutoDesk provides DWG TrueView for free:
AutoDesk DWG TrueView

DWG TrueView can convert any version of DWG files created with AutoCAD-based products to 2007, 2004, 2000 and R14, but only as DWG formats.

  • A9CAD provides a free converter that can save back to AutoCAD 2.5, but 2006/2004 is the newest release it can deal with:
  • ActiveDwg is a website with a collection of utilities for drawing files, including file converters, batch plotters and bolt-ons:
ActiveDwg

ConvertDwg from ActiveDwg can also batch conversions.

  • SolidWorks has a converter that can open any AutoCAD release drawing file, and convert it to any other AutoCAD release drawing file, it can also plot to PDF:
DWGgateway

As of Feb 2008 DWGGateway does not work with AutoCAD 2008, but it is of no real need in AutoCAD 2008.

  • CADwizz has a converter that can open any AutoCAD release DWG or DXF file from version 2.5 to version 2008, and convert it to any other AutoCAD release drawing file from version 2.5 to version 2007. It can also plot to printer or PDF :

Visitor Comments

  1. Comment #1 (Posted by ReMark)
    Some CAD viewers, such as CADwizz MAX V3, also allow the user to execute a "save as" and can save an AutoCAD drawing to versions of AutoCAD as far back as 2.5 or as recent as 2007. (ReMark's comment added to FAQ - AKC 05-02-2008)
  2. Comment #2 (Posted by David )
    I see the software ,but I recommend the good software acme cad converter ,the software easy use .convert any cad file to pdf ,image etc,no need autocad software support it be recommend best cad software on softpedia (Thanks for the tip - Tiger 080716)
  3. Comment #3 (Posted by shailendra Kumar )
    very good (Thanks - Tiger 090119)
  4. Comment #4 (Posted by udin )
    It's very nice.thank you all (Thank You! - Tiger 090212)

Post Comment for "How can I convert a DWG file back to an older release?"

To post a comment for this article, simply complete the form below. Fields marked with an asterisk are required.
   Your Name:
   Email Address:
* Your Comment:
* Enter the code below:
 

Related Articles

Attachments

No attachments were found.

Continue
Creative Commons Licence
Powered by Interspire Knowledge Manager