Can't open dwg files saved in more recent versions than AutoCAD 2012.

[viriditasdesigngroup]

I am running AutoCAD 2012 LT for Mac. I am unable to open drawing files saved in more recent versions of AutoCAD. Auto desk has a free downloadable program to solve this issue but it's only usable for PC platforms. I am not running AutoCAD on Parallels or a virtual machine.  

Does anyone have a solution to this issue? Having to contact busy architecture offices to have them save files and all of the xrefs down to earlier drawing file versions makes more work for everyone.

Thanks!

[pendean]

You need to always ask the file creators to do this for you moving forward: you also have the option to upgrade your LT for Mac to something more current to keep up with your clients.

You'll probably need to purchase a solution for your MAC, something like this http://www.interstudio.net/project/cad-file-converter-plus-conversione-formati-cad-e-vettorizzazione...

[viriditasdesigngroup]

Per the website information, this won’t allow me to convert AutoCAD 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 or 2017 files to AutoCAD 2012.

Viriditas Design

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi,

You can try AutoCAD360 Web application: upload your file to the cloud, open in AutoCAD web editor, than download it back using this button:

you can select DWG format.

Maxim

[Emmsleys]

Do you have access to A360?

You can try and make edits to your clients files there. Or have your clients try and save their files down  

In addition you can look to the following links to see if this can be helpful for your problem; 

• Error: The drawing file cannot be opened because it was created with a more recent version of AutoCA...
• Forum thread: Opening of new version of autocad files in older version of autocad

[Emmsleys]

Following up on this thread, were you able to try the suggested steps.

Please post back in the thread if you are still having an issue with AutoCAD the community and myself will be more than happy to help.