Opening higher version or saving to a lower?

Hi,
Is it possible to save a Solidworks file from 2006 so it can open in 2005?
Or is there a way to open a higher version to a lower version?

 

Nope. You can save it out as Parasolid, then import it in the older version.
If you have FeatureWorks, you can try to work your way back to the original
feature tree, but any part with any complexity can be a real nightmare.

The funny (in a very painful sort of way) thing is that SolidWorks provides
a program for AutoCAD users that allows them to move drawings from newer to
older versions, but won't do the same for us. The optimists say it's because
it's so hard to move 3D models from new to old (how do you handle new
capabilities?). The cynical say that our support dollars are providing the
lovely profits (and lovely bonuses for executives) so it would be very
painful if many of us stopped paying support.

Jerry Steiger
Tripod Data Systems
"take the garbage out, dear"

 

I can see the point of view from the optimist and the cynic. From an
economics point of view the great part is that it may not matter who is
correct.

On one hand: A good thing is that for simple models, parasolid works
great and it may not be worth the extra $$ to pay for a SW upgrade if
one is working on simple products. So you can save money by not
upgrading.

On the other hand: If one must read in complex models, one is most
likely manufacturing or consulting on complex products that need the
newest version of SW to read the files natively. $4k should be a drop
in the bucket for companies working on such products.

It's a win-win! (that's the optimist in me speaking).

 

Did you know that Esprit 2005 will not open a SW2006 file? It gives a
version error! So there is some sort of SW data inside Esprit that
needs current data to be able to open the newst files.

My opinion on the whole situations is this, each year SW adds new
features, and changes old ones. Im glad they dont take the the time to
make sure the new stuff will work in older versions. I want them
concentrating on the future, not the past. As for the DWG editor being
able to save backwards, we are talking about simplistic 2D drawings,
not 3D solids. If SW were doing this to keep people paying upgrade
costs so they can make more money, why dont they issue a hardware key
for every seat to cut down on the piracy?

I chuckle everytime I read someones post that they wait untill service
pack 1,987 comes out before they upgrade. The technology is changing
so fast around us, you have to stay on the cutting edge, or you will
get run over. I normally participate in the beta testing, so I start
playing around with the new version before its even released. By mid
summer im using it for minor production work. When the new version is
officially released, its installed within a week of us getting it. The
only issue we ever have is with our customers. I let them know that if
im sending them stuff, they will be getting parasolids, and not native
SW files. This is ok with them, because they understand that we are
staying ahead of the curve, and it usually forces their management to
agree to upgrades.

Think about it, the Model T car was functional, arent you glad that
cars have evolved though?

 

You get run over if you try to stay on the cutting edge too. Constantly
retraining.