AutoSketch

[#1]

We have many legacy V2.1 .SKD files (yes, they really are that old!) and cannot find a viewer/program that can run on Windows 7 which can open these files AND allow us to save back as DWG files. I have looked at previous threads, bu the SKD files in question appear to be more recent than V2.1.

Also, I am lead to believe that the latest version of Autosketch does not support V2.1 SKD files.

We have also investigated having the SKD files exported as a batch process to DWG, but cannot find a cost-effective solution down that route either.

Any suggestions anyone?

[#2]

Most of the forum 'old timers' don't seem to be coming back to the forum anymore.

At work we have over 5,000 v2.1 drawings that I open with sketch 10 (XP, Win7 32 and x64) and manually cleanup as needed - hatched areas, dotted lines, dimensions and fonts, mostly.

DWG may or may not be troublesome so keep DXF in mind. Pay some drafting students from a local college?

[#3]

Thanks for the info. SteveMac, I have asked my IT department to purchase a copy of AutoSketh V10. Although it looks like AutoSketch is no longer offered by Autodesk, it has GOT to be better than what we stuggle with currently.

We have 1000's of legacy AutoSketch drawings but, mercifully, they are required to be converted on an infrequent basis, but trying to trying to do the exports out of V2.1 is a ridiculously time-consuming process.

I am surprised that you concider DWG to be less reliable than DXF, my experience with exports from other packages is quite the reverse!

[#4]

The saga continues!

After badgering my IT department for a copy of AutoSketch V10, I finally get time to install it, attempt to open an SKD file and get the following message:

Can't read old versions of SKD files. Files must be converted to AutoSketch for Windows Release 2.0 or later

If it didn't result in me waking up my colleagues, I would scream. I am now going to find a nice sturdy wall to bash my head against!!

Come on Autodesk, there must be a utility somewhere in your archives that allows us long-standing users to migrate data from one product to another. I would laugh at this situation if I had not just wasted £200+ on V10 of AutoSketch, and countless hours of research looking for a solution to this problem.

[#5]

Hi, AS10 can open files of type v2..x, see below. When opening, convert to AS native format *.skf og *.dwg.

best regards

Øyvind Takle

civil engineer

[#6]

Garry can you email one over:

stevenmacerakjnr 'at' hotmail 'd0+' com

[#7]

Øyvind

No luck, AutoSketch refuses to open our legacy files, even when selecting the v2.x option.

[#8]

Steven

Email flying through cyberspace as I type! I have included 3 files created on different dates.

[#9]

I'll reply here rather than just respond via email.

I think you have some VERY old files that probably* need to be converted before you even attempt to open them with 'sketch (as in your files are older than v2.1).

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=2523539&linkID=9243019

^ I can't install that exe on my Win7 64bit machine, so can't test wether they will convert over.

Do you have access to a 32bit XP or W98/95 machine?

*I say probably because I'm not familiar with sketch files that old, just going off long term memory from what I read off the forum several years ago.

[#10]

Steven

Apologies for not responding sooner, demands on my time are exceeding those available in 24 hours at the moment!!

Yes, I have access to a 32bit XP machine, in fact that is what AS 2.1 is loaded on, but to call v2.1 clunky would be far wide of the mark. What I was hoping for is that SOMEWHERE out there was a utility that could bulk-convert my old files, either to a more recent version of AS or to DWG (the ultimate point of the excersise) but it looks like it is a one-at-a-time process, which would see me up to retirement, providing I retire at the age of about 118!!

I know you can download AS v2.1fc from Autodesk, which is for file conversion of older files, but it still works on the OAAT principle so I am not really gaining much with it.

I guess I will have to bite the bullet and accept that there are very limited options available for handling aged AS files, that is unless Autodesk take pity on me and writes a utility to do mass-conversions!!!

Thanks for all your help anyway. At least now I feel I am not bashing my head against a brick wall quite as much as before!!!