Revit LT 2018 and LT 2019 error opening .rvt file prior to 8.1

[Anonymous]

Hi we have an ongoing for a project and we have been sent a rvt file which we are unable to open. It gives a

... last saved in a version of revit prior to 8.1. error. I've seen previous posts about this dating back to much earlier versions - has this been patched?  is there a work around (other than using a demo version of Full LT which would only work for the trail period only. Photo attached. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, you need to download a demo of Revit 2018 or Revit 2019 (non LT) and see if it will open with those. 

If it does, save it so it updates the version accordingly and then try opening it again in LT.

[shivraj.panaich]

Ive been having the same problem. Found a workaround if you close revit and start again and file - open. 

Instead of finding it windows explorer double click to open. Then it seams to work. 

The other issue may relate to the fact that we work off a synced drive that is cloud based. I right click and keep locally.

one of the two or combination of them fixes the issue. Not sure why this is a problem as its only started to happen in the last update. 

Kind Regards 

Shiv. 

[rosalind.prince]

I am also having the same problem.  I have tried the workarounds in this post and still cannot open full version Revit files with Revit LT 2018...also can't call Autodesk to ask how to fix this issue.  I also tried installing the latest updates, and still no luck.

[DarrenP]

if opening the file doesn’t work in full revit then the file could be corrupt

you could try these: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles...

[rosalind.prince]

I can open it with the trial version of full Revit, but that will only help for the trial period.  And it is not just one file, it is happening with all full version Revit files.  I even tried uninstalling and reinstalling Revit LT to no avail.

[Anonymous]

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@rosalind.prince wrote:

I can open it with the trial version of full Revit, but that will only help for the trial period.  And it is not just one file, it is happening with all full version Revit files.  I even tried uninstalling and reinstalling Revit LT to no avail.

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Save it to Revit 2018 or 2019 from the trial then open it with LT 2018 or LT 2019.  Do that for all your files before the trial runs out.

[rosalind.prince]

When I try to "Save As", it does not give me any options for different ways to save the file.  I also tried to see if it might be an export option, but it is not.

[Anonymous]

Right...there are no other ways to save a Revit file...it stays a Revit file, just changes versions.  So save it to a different directory, such as 2018 or 2019. 

[rosalind.prince]

Changing the location it is saved to (directory) does not give me the option to save the file any differently, i.e. I cannot change the version I am saving it as.  If I am missing something, please add steps.   I have attached the options I am given when I save, it is the same no matter where I try to save it.

[Anonymous]

Okay...we are missing something here.  Those files are being saved today by what program?    I thought you were trying to open an older file in Revit LT? 

Revit saves as the version it is.... Revit 2018 saves as a 2018 rvt , 2019 saves as a 2019 rvt.  You cannot save a 2019 file to 2018, but 2019 can open a 2018 file.  So I am confused on what exactly is to be accomplished here.  Also, be sure you open Revit then the file you want to open...don't double click from file explorer.

[rosalind.prince]

I am trying to open full version Revit 2009 files in Revit LT 2018. and
getting error messages for every file I try.

I have the trial of the full version of Revit for a couple more weeks and
so, if possible, I would like to save all of the Revit files I cannot
currently open in Revit LT in a way that I can open them in Revit LT once
the trial period of the full version is over.

Sorry, I guess it has gone a couple of different ways since the string
started.

[DarrenP]

all you do is open them in full revit & do a save as & rename the files or save them in another directory so you don’t overwrite the orginal files & then try to open them in revit lt

[Anonymous]

Open with your full version and save to either another folder or append the filename with the version.

My only concern, is someone still modeling those files in 2009?  They won't be able to open the files you upgrade to use with LT.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for attempting to contribute to the conversation, I have read your same advise multiple times on various threads.  
The reason you advise is not helpful is because most of us are working at jobs that will (hopefully) last longer than 30 days.  i.e. Next year I expect to be working in Revit and might encounter this problem again.  I understand that what you are proposing is a quick fix for a single occasion.  However some (maybe all) of us are looking for a solution that will hast more than 30 days.

Thanks. 

[Anonymous]

Update all your files to 2019 during the 30 day period...have an intern or front desk associate do it.  Once you are updated you don't have to worry about it anymore.

That is your only "free" option...LT will never work with earlier projects as LT wasn't around back then and we had three different versions of Revit too. (Back before Revit One Box)  The other option is to keep one license of Revit 201X in your subscription.