AutoCAD 2018 Backwards Compatibility

[j.mctigue]

I just installed AutoCAD 2018 and was editing files that were created using AutoCAD 2016. When I save the file, I come up with the warning shown in the attached picture. This warning came up even after I changed the file format to the earlier version of .dwg (the 2018 .dwg could not be opened in earlier versions so I had to use the old 2013 .dwg file format).

So my question is, can I create/edit files in AutoCAD 2018, send them to someone using AutoCAD 2016, and still have the drawing open and continue to work as it should in the earlier version.

Thanks.

[jeffrey.sin · Accepted solution]

Hi @j.mctigue,

Welcome to the Community.

It would still depend on the file that you have or are using. If an actual custom object is saved in a newer file format, it is no longer backward compatible. Check out this link for more information: Error: "This drawing contains custom objects" when saving in AutoCAD

I hope this helps, let us know how it goes. Thanks.

[pendean]

R2018 introduces an all new file format: no amount of SAVEAS and saving down will alter that reality if your file contains objects it upgrades.

Best you can do is "exporttoautocad' to explode those objects down to 21013dwg format for your R2016 users to not have to deal with the issues. Assuming what gets exploded is not critical to their needs.

[Anonymous]

So we should draw all floor plans and site plans with lines and not walls?  We need to "dumb" down the way the software wants us to work because Autodesk is forcing everyone to upgrade software?

[pendean]

>>> Autodesk is forcing everyone to upgrade software?...<<<
If not one else on your team or project partners have upgraded then that's not a true statement, is it. Otherwise they would have upgraded too.

To recap: If you have chosen to leap to 2018-versions of AutoCAD ahead of all of your project partners and other associates in your office, then yes, you will need to dumb down all of your files and ruin everyone's day.

Solution: You need to stick with 2017-versions of AutoCAD for the life of all of your projects where everyone else is using 2017-thru-2013 versions of AutoCAD. You are on subscription so you can do that legally (but yes, all of the 2018-touched files are pretty much ruined).

[Anonymous]

 I had that issue with newer version dwg send to me, while I still used older version.

So requested  everyone , if they can save file  under type (second drop down ) to  choose an earlier version.

I practise it now myself, since  I use Autodesk 2018 lt  - saving my files in earlier version when communicating with surveyors/draughtsman - who are not on the latest versions. Seems to eliminate the issue.

[Anonymous]

This new update is horrible. whoever created this problem should be fired!!! or the entire team. AutoCad Mep 2018 is essentially useless as it creates a pretty picture that only users of 2018 can view/edit. it may be 5+ years before all other trades in the construction/engineering industry update to this version. when you explode using #exporttoautocad; elevations and pipe material information is lost so you might as well have completed the drawing in 2d auto cad.

A service pack to fix this problem must be released at once, this product is too expensive to be rendered useless. I mean it was a f***ing waste purchasing this costly product.

Good Grief this release is useless.

[Anonymous]

This new update is horrible. whoever created this problem should be fired!!! or the entire team. AutoCad Mep 2018 is essentially useless as it creates a pretty picture that only users of 2018 can view/edit. it may be 5+ years before all other trades in the construction/engineering industry update to this version. when you explode using #exporttoautocad; elevations and pipe/duct/conduit AKA "MEP CONTENT" material information is lost so you might as well have completed the drawing in 2d auto cad.

A service pack to fix this problem must be released at once, this product is too expensive to be rendered useless. I mean it was a f***ing waste purchasing this costly product.

Good Grief this release is useless.

[Anonymous]

HI. WHY IN THE LAST THREE VERSION OF Auto-CAD ( 16 , 17 AND 18 ) THE PRESENTATION CHOICE DON"T EXIST. AND IN THE RENDERING I AM      HAVING TOO MUCH NOISE  

[Anonymous]

I think autocad 2018 and all 2018 versions are bad due to prohibiting backward version. This is not a good start and it will lead to the death of autocad softwares. Mark my words.


Make an update of being back to normal which allows backward version.


We still love autocad but if this continue we will have to shift to older or other softwares.

[RobDraw]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I think autocad 2018 and all 2018 versions are bad due to prohibiting backward version. This is not a good start and it will lead to the death of autocad softwares. Mark my words.

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You're obviously new to AutoCAD. This is not new to AutoCAD and it is still backwards compatible. It used to be that the .dwg format changed every three years.

You're also probably new to working in a collaborative environment where it is sometimes absolutely necessary that everyone be on the same version of software.

Good luck.

[dgorsman]

Basic AutoCAD is still the same - lines, circles, text, dimensions can all still be saved down to earlier DWG versions.

When you start working with vertical products like Plant3D, Civil3D, or ACA that's different - you aren't dealing with AutoCAD anymore.  The data in the files must be preserved, as earlier program versions may corrupt newer objects.  This too is no different from earlier releases.

This is no different than many other programs; in fact, it's typically to have no equivalent of the EXPORT... functions, and have absolutely *zero* means to open newer format files in earlier versions.