What? Sworks 2007 cannot be saved to a previous version?

[aroundhere]

My customer requested that I send him sworks drawings in 2006 format, since he could not open the 2007 drawings(he has 2006). I was suprised to find out that I could not simply "save as" to a previous sworks version. Is there another way around this?

 

[dgowans]

Models will need to be sent in a neutral format (STEP, Parasolid, etc.). Drawings can be sent as PDF, provided the receiver doesn't need to modify them. If you need to send drawing data you will have to send a DXF or something similar. In any case, the model data won't be associative to the drawing data.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

There are very few MCAD programs which allow saving to a previous version.

You can have multiple versions of SW installed on your computer and use whichever version for your slow-to-upgrade customers.

 

[jistre]

We used to deal with this all the time. The whole point of the new version is for added features/functionality that just did not exist in the old version, so there is no way to go back. If these features could be replicated in the old version, there wouldn't be a new version. Granted, there are programs that claim they can convert backwards, but I sure wouldn't want to risk them.

I think the best approach is what CBL said. Install several different versions of SW and use whichever the client is using. As they upgrade, you can then open old files in the newer version and they'll be automatically be upconverted. On one project, this is the only way we could deal with one of our vendors until they got on the ball and upgraded to match us.

 

[aroundhere]

I guess the biggest drag of this is the fact that I cant work on 2007 dwgs here at work, then take them home to contiue working or finish them. Since I have 2004 at home, and only 2007 at work, I za beeza screwed. I guess I was just spoiled with autocad, since it did let you save to older versions. It pretty much sucks no matter how much we try to rationalize it.

 

[dgowans]

Why could you not install 2007 at home? The license agreement allows this. I can't see why your employer would have a problem with letting you do this if you're willing to take work home.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

If your employer has previous versions of SW on CD, you should be able to install all of them at work and at home ... providing they are all issued from the same registration key.

 

[fcsuper]

aroundhere,

Unless you are specifically being paid to produce editable models, I would suggest that you would want to provide only dumb models and drawings anyway.

You can install 2006 on your system, then in 2007, save the models as IGES, then open them in 2006 and save in 2006 format. This way, you can protect your work (and keep yourself necessary) and still provide to them what they asked.

As for drawings, you can save them as DXF in 2007 and open them in 2006, and save in that format. But this will be ugly, and of almost no use beyond the actual info on the drawing. It would be better to send them PDF's or eDrawings.

Best bet for customer specific designs is to work within the format they need from the start. I know this isn't always practical though.






Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA

http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php

 

[dogarila]

I suggest to use parasolid instead of iges or STEP since parasolid is the native format for SolidWorks.

 

[aroundhere]

Well, Someone was telling me that it is not illegal to install the work license on one home computer. That would be my best bet. I guess my next dilemma would be my home computer having enough balls to run 2007. Maybe I can use that for an excuse for my company to buy me a home computer "ha". Does anyone know if this (sworks license agreement) has to be a desktop, or is a laptop out of the question?

 

[JMirisola]

I had SW loaded up on my laptop prior to getting my M90. Now, obviously, it's loaded on the M90.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP2.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

If the Software is permanently installed on the hard disk or other storage device of a computer (other than a network server) and one person uses that computer more than 80% of the time it is in use, then that person may also use the Software on a portable or home computer while the original copy is not in use. You will keep accurate and up-to-date records of the numbers and locations of all copies of the Software, will supervise and control the use of the Software in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and will provide copies of such records to SolidWorks upon reasonable request.

 

[aroundhere]

OK, well that solves it. My main complaint was saving to a previous version in order to work at home(sw2004) on the same projects. I will just install 2007 at home, since I will be following the SW license agreement. Hopefully I can get away with not having to upgrade my home machine. It never ends.

thanks guys...

 

[drawoh]

fcsuper,

I just got upgraded to SW2007. I am now wondering how our sheet metal vendors are going to read our stuff.

There are non-design uses for the SW model.

JHG

 

[fcsuper]

JHG,

Are you asking a question of me? If a vendor needs to see your files and they don't have 2007 (but have a previous version), save the models as parasolids.

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA

http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php

 

[Theophilus]

(Of course, the sheet-metal shop will probably want to use the sheet-metal SW features to flatten, etc. I generally don't choose vendors who won't upgrade their business tools--if they're not serious about business, they may well be the wrong vendor.)



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe transcends reason.

 

[edsongebo]

FYI to all...eDrawings make a quick and easy file for viewing both model and drawing. Make sure to publish with the html option...it embeds the necessary files to open and view the model and drawing. Or you can give your costumer the link to download SW Viewer or eDrawing viewer.

I agree with dogarila...use Parasolid when exchanging from SolidWorks07 to SolidWorks06. Iges is a good alternative for other formats. SolidWorks has never been backwards compatible...or at least since 2003 when I started using it. You really wouldn't want to try to make it work backwards either. I would hazard to guess some of the modeling features would not work, show properly or just be fubared for any good use.

Edson Gebo
Mechanical Designer/Drafter
SW2007 SP2.0
Cadra 2006 (yup 2D still exists)
-------------------------------------
Sometimes Success Begins at Failure
-------------------------------------

 

[2kbrew]

aroundhere,

Call your service provider. They can provide you with a specific license code for "home use."

 

[TJMcD]

May I ask what good having several previous versions on your computer would do in this situation? If you designed the project in 2007, and the customer has something older, no version on your computer is going to help. The only way to get the model to the customer is saving as parasolid.

Or am I missing something?

TJ McDermott

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

TJMcD ... Yes, you are missing the point that if you know your customer has an older version of SW, then you could do the design in that version.