'Drawing file is not valid'?!

[kiarianc]

I'm trying to open a series of old AutoCAD dwgs. The date on the files shows as 2001, and they are all AutoCAD Drawing files. But everyone I click on I get the same message 'Drawing file is not valid'.

I've tried recovering drawing, no luck. I also tried changing the file type to DXF to then bring it into CAD, but it's not showing the extension on Explorer.

I'm using AutoCAD 2014. I assume these are older versions, but I still should be able to open them surely?

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

Worst case, take the backup from yesterday or from Monday and see if this file can be opened.

Do open copies of the backup files, not the original files themselves (just to make sure you can't crash them again, if AutoCAD has issues).

- alfred -

[jeremiah]

I've got a similar problem as the ones above.  I'm running autocad architecture 2016 and use a shared file cloud between myself and my employee(he's using 2020 autocad lt and saving down to 2013).  Just this week when I try to open a file (from autocad) on the cloud that he has previously opened or saved, I can't open.  I get the message "Drawing file is not valid".  To clear the air, I went to the file explorer where the files can be accessed as well and had no problem opening the files.  It seems that autocad is not recognizing the files for some reason.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

[pendean]

AutoCAD is not recognizing your cloud access method, since it does not work there but works fine on your PC through File Explorer.

What service are you using? And is this a free cloud account or a paid-for business account?

[jeremiah]

one drive is what we use.  paid with windows subscription.  

[pendean]

So it's just ACA2016 that has the issue? What is different with the setup since it stopped?

[jeremiah]

The only thing I

can think was that my computer did an update a couple nights ago. other than that nothings has been changed in the program settings.

[jeremiah]

Yes its just the ACA 2016 issue.  Do you have any advice?  my files still wont open in the open command.  

[pendean]

Something with your cloud service changed: most likely an update that ACA2016 is not able to address since it is a 6-year old program now. Use your workaround or test with newer ACA versions and if they work you have a subscription to consider.

FYI perpetual licenses from Autodesk have an expiration date in case you did not know.

[JClarkson101]

I had worked on a personal CAD project a while ago and I was going to open it up to print it but it is giving me the message and when I drop the dwg into Notepad it gives me some very weird characters.