Revit files perishable?

[Anonymous]

My company works with Autocad but the new extention is drawn in Revit
For now we askedthe architect for .dwg files of the built and want to store the .rvt for later use
Someone told me though that it´s not possible to open a 2015 version Revit file in Revit 2018, does this mean Revit files are perishable?
Is this a bug or is this the default?

[Melina.Vlachousi]

You can open older version files in a newer version. The opposite is not - it is not possible to open newer files in an older version. So you can open 2015 files in 2018, but if you save those files in the 2018 version, it is not possible to open them again in 2015.

[Anonymous]

I'm well aware that it's not possible to open newer files in older versions, thats not the issue here

My colleague told me of an issue they had with a revit model version 2015 not being able to open in version 2018, opening and saving it in version 2016 fist made it possible to open it, but not directly in 2018

I want to know if thats just a bug or if I have to make sure to safe files in every new Revit version to come out to Ensure it to work in a couple of year from now

[Melina.Vlachousi · Accepted solution]

This issue is something that might or might not happen. Depending on what is in your file and what change has been done in each Revit release, there's just an increased chance for it to happen down the line if you're going to upgrading the file to 4+ releases in a couple of years. I've had 2013 project files and 2009 family files opened in 2018 with zero errors.

It does makes sense upgrading files every few releases to minimize the risk the issue comes up later. If you want to be on the absolute safest side, save an upgraded copy with each new release, as you said.

You can also take a look at these links about the upgrade process (troubleshooting, best practices) and keep the information for future reference:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles...

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles...

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/simplecontent/content/upgra...

[Sahay_R]

It's the luck of the draw, @Anonymous. Some files will update over multiple versions in one go. Some will need to be updated gently, one version at a time.

[chrisplyler]

The files self destruct over time. It's a feature!

[barthbradley]

@chrisplyler: Are you talking "Planned Obsolescence" or Mission Impossible? 

This post will self-destruct in 5 seconds

[Sahay_R]

@chrisplyler, @barthbradley - whatever it is, it will happen gently.....

[RobDraw]

Like iPhones?

[Sahay_R]

Or maybe like Androids - going up in flames....

[Anonymous]

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@rsahayUZMK9 wrote:

Or maybe like Androids - going up in flames....

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But still gently, right?!

@barthbradley  The self-destruct option on your post doesn't work ... it's still there

[Sahay_R]

Gentle flames! What a concept, @Anonymous!