i am an architect that has been using autocad lt 2007 for a long time. i love it and it does everything i need it to do. up until recently whenever i would get a file from a client that was in a newer version of cad i could always convert it down via autodesk trueview...but recently a client has a myriad of files from another architect that they want me to take over that were done in autodesk architecture 2013. i downloaded the trial version and was able to convert the files...sort of...but now the trial is over and i am lost. i actually had a sales rep call me and i explained to him that i don't have the money to buy another program just to convert files and he said i wouldn't have to and that even after the trial version i would still be able to do this. apparently he was wrong.
could someone please tell me my options here? like i said, i am truly happy with my 2007 lt version...all i need to do is convert these files so i can manipulate them in the product i bought years ago. if i do have to actually buy something i think it would be ridiculous. all these years i have never had to buy another product from autodesk because they were always aware of people in my shoes: small business owners that were happy with their older versions of cad so they always had a conversion program that i could download for free. if there is no such program i feel there needs to be one. autodesk is a huge company and pretty much the architectural industry standard. someone please help and tell me what i should do. thanks.
You should be able to find a company in your part of town that has the facilties to convert for you to another version for a minor fee.
Contact you drafting supplier or large pirnting supplier and enquir with then of this service.
You could download Autodesk TRUVIEW which will open any AutoCAD drawing and convert to any AutoCAD version.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?siteID=123112&id=9078813
It is FREE.
You may only Open, View, Print or Convert.
something tells me it will have to come down to me actually purchasing something or paying someone as you said. i just think it is unfortunate that there isn't a program that converts the file properly without being unusable.
If you wish, please upload the drawing and I will convert for you as a courtesy (no fee).
I would be interested if I open in Architecture 2013 and the EXPORT to AutoCAD 2007 if there are any issues.
I am assuming that it is not possible for the Originator of the drawiing to Save down to 2007 ?
There is also the option to EXPORT to 2007 from 2013. (See attached).
PM me is you wish and I will try to help out.
the file is too large to post...is there another way to share it with you?
Do you realise that when you downgrade from v13 lower you will lose some data and format of the actual drawing, it will not convert perfectly.
There are a couple of ways you can reduce the size of the dwg file. It is retaining all the information relevant and non relevant to the drawing.
Try the following: save the dwg as a different name as a backup and work with the backup version, do a purge all of the dwg, wblock the dwg to the and then save the file. The file should have reduced in size.
you could use a service such as dropbox/yousendit, or zip the file before attaching it.
I would try installing the autoCAD Architecture (architectual desktop) object enabler for your program.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=7115021&linkID=9240618