topic Re: Backward compatibility in Civil 3D Forum

Backward compatibility

Joe-Bouza — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:52:44 GMT

A few weeks ago I was called out stating that civil3d was not backward compatible. I done a few test and if I open a 2022 job with 2018 I cannot make edits to various objects. alignments and profiles specifically. Plus on a few occasions the tool space goes devoid of any civil3d objects.

Is it as backward compatible as claimed? I don't see it

Re: Backward compatibility

Jeff_M — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 18:24:08 GMT

I haven't seen any issues with going between C3D 2022 and 2108. Here is what the Help file says:

https://help.autodesk.com/view/CIV3D/2022/ENU/?guid=GUID-589C3DC0-EC98-40BC-B8CD-4623AA79D763

Opening an Autodesk Civil 3D 2022 Drawing in a Prior Version of AutoCAD Civil 3D

Drawings saved in Autodesk Civil 3D 2022 can be opened in Autodesk Civil 3D 2021, Autodesk Civil 3D 2020, Autodesk Civil 3D 2019, and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2018.

To open an Autodesk Civil 3D 2022 drawing and view the Autodesk Civil 3D objects in a version of the software prior to AutoCAD Civil 3D 2018, set the PROXYGRAPHICS system variable value to 1 in Autodesk Civil 3D 2022 to save the graphics with the drawing and then use the Save As command to save the drawing to a prior drawing file format. When you open the drawing in a prior version of the software, the Autodesk Civil 3D objects will be displayed as proxy graphics.

Interoperability Between Autodesk Civil 3D 2022 and prior versions

This section describes interoperability between Autodesk Civil 3D 2022, Autodesk Civil 3D 2021, Autodesk Civil 3D 2020, Autodesk Civil 3D 2019, or AutoCAD Civil 3D 2018.

Alignments with new curve groups

Opening an Autodesk Civil 3D 2022 drawing in a prior version

The new alignment curve group types created in Autodesk Civil 3D 2022 can be converted to fixed entities in order to edit them in a prior version of Civil 3D. For more information, see To Convert Alignment Curve Groups to Fixed Entities.

Re: Backward compatibility

Joe-Bouza — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 08:28:15 GMT

Interesting. I clearly cannot get the profile geometry tool bar if I open a 22 in 18

Re: Backward compatibility

chriscowgill7373 — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 19:12:25 GMT

I've never had any issues opening 2022 in 2018 either. would it be possible for you to post the file Joe? Perhaps something else is going on. I've seem some people swear that 2020 isnt backwards compatible to 2018 for the same reason you are describing, but I've never seen it either.

Re: Backward compatibility

Joe-Bouza — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 12:55:48 GMT

Hi Chris

this was the file , Thanks

Re: Backward compatibility

chriscowgill7373 — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 13:45:24 GMT

I am not getting any messages other than a vehicle tracking one (because I dont have vehicle tracking installed)

The profile is editable (the one I picked on anyway). So that now leaves the question, what is different between my system and your system that does not allow you to open and edit this same file.

Do you have all updates installed for 2022 and 2018? Is it perhaps something with the xrefs that are missing on my system that allow me to edit the profile (Never heard of that before, but you never know).

Re: Backward compatibility

Joe-Bouza — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 13:57:56 GMT

I can open and do certain edits (sometimes). The first time, before a restore the prospector was completely empty in 2018. not sure how that happened.

Re: Backward compatibility

chriscowgill7373 — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 14:20:11 GMT

There must be something different on your machine, because I have never had an issue with compatibility between 2018 and any version above it to a point where I cannot make edits. If it is happening from time to time, and isnt consistent, that will be harder to troubleshoot. Perhaps you are doing something different when opening the file when it wont allow you to modify. How are you opening the files? Do you have other files open when you open one that presents the problem? (and of course my other questions from the previous post.)

Re: Backward compatibility

Joe-Bouza — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:18:43 GMT

Yes we have all the updates. always open files through AutoCAD either file open or Recover. Recover being my preferred means just to scan the files regularly.

The only thing I can think of which I just remembered. Is we are opening remote via VPN, and that time the prospector was empty we restored a shadow copy of the shortcut folder to get the prospector populated again.

We are in the process of rolling out 22 company wide so this should be a moot issue soon

Re: Backward compatibility

chriscowgill7373 — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:30:14 GMT

The VPN opening could be related to the issue. I know that if your connection is not super stable or fast, it can create all sorts of issues when opening a file across a VPN. At my last job those with company laptops had issues quite often, unless they copied their files out ahead of time (which could create a mess if others working on the project were not aware). I was lucky enough to have a desktop sitting in the office that I just remoted into to do my work.