Autocad 2015 not opening non-autodesk dwg files.

[mikesutton3815]

I regularly receive third party software dwg files but the files will not open in autocad 2015. I have tried the same files in autocad 2014, and they all open after the "Not autodesk dwg" message comes up. In autocad 2015 this message does not apear and the software just says "drawing file is not vaild" and does not give me any further options. Am I missing a security setting somewhere???

(In both cases I am using the Architectural version of autocad and in windows 7 - 64bit.)

[pendean]

Did you try RECOVER command to open this file?

[mikesutton3815]

Yes, I tried the RECOVER command and a message came back saying the file could not be recovered. Although not sure as to why it would need recovering, as I said the SAME file open fine in r2014. I have subsiquently checked and it also open fine in r2013 just not in r2015.

Does autocad now ban non-autodesk dwgs from opening?

[hgasty1001]

Hi,

Please post the file

Gaston Nunez

[pendean]

Can you share the file here? or if there are concerns can you share it in private to me by clicking on my name and sending me a private message (you will need to use an FTP site like dropbox)? I've not experienced that problem yet in 2015.

[mikesutton3815]

Please find one of the problem files attached

[DarrenP]

it doesn't open here either

what program did this file come from?

[justshutup]

It opens fine in Draftsight.

EDIT:

Did a SAVEAS in DS which opens in ACAD just fine.

[mikesutton3815]

It comes from a program called Sitemaster. We use it on a tablet to survey existing properties. It has the ability to comunicate directly with a disto, and draw to scale. Producing a cad usable file. This has never been a problem before r2015. And I CAN open it in r2014 and save as and then open it in r2015. Only thats really long winded work-around and just a bit rubbish. It can output to dxf but then that looses some functionality used on more complicated surveys. How can one version of autocad cope and the other can't with the SAME file?

[DarrenP]

in 2015 something may have changed in the background that causes this type of error

who knows

this type of stuff happens with every new release of Autocad

[dgorsman]

AutoCAD 2015 may be more stringent in its checking as to the files data structure.  Earlier releases of AutoCAD may have just be skipping over this particular error.  Its the same thing with the AutoCAD clones - some of them will open DWG files that AutoCAD will not because they have less (not better) error checking.

While not immediately apparent skipping these problems can lead to others later on, so it might be an idea to go back to the other software provider so they can produce correct DWG content.

[pendean]

Sitemaster from Graebert? They are part of the ODA, I wonder if that's just a coincidence http://www.opendesign.com/Member-Showcase/Graebert

Might be worth contacting them for help: it appears they have a new version in beta testing right now.

[mikesutton3815]

Yes it is the Sitemaster from Graebert.

[rkmcswain]

dgorsman wrote:

AutoCAD 2015 may be more stringent in its checking as to the files data structure.  Earlier releases of AutoCAD may have just be skipping over this particular error.  Its the same thing with the AutoCAD clones - some of them will open DWG files that AutoCAD will not because they have less (not better) error checking.

^^^^^^^^^^^ That would be my guess. It seems like (although I have no proof) that AutoCAD is getting a bit more particular each release. If so, this is good since in theory it's preventing bad data from being propagated.

[Volker_C]

Hi Mike,
I've seen this with other applications which use files based on the ODA specifications. One such example was an intellicad 2010 dwg which opened fine in AutoCAD 2012, but AutoCAD 2013 would not open the file. It wasn't until an update was available that the file was compatible with the 2013 DWG format.

I believe that at this time the ODA supports up to AutoCAD 2014, I could be wrong; having said that, I will forward the file to our product team for additional information. I'll get back to you once I receive feedback.

Cheers,

Volker

[Volker_C]

Hi Mike,

The attached file was recovered in AutoCAD 2013. I was then able to open and save it in 2015. It appears that the header part of the file is causing the corruption. I'm logging this with the product team for further investigation but I'm afraid that at this time that is the best I can do.

Hope this helps,

Volker