Can you open old SOLIDWORKS files in New SOLIDWORKS?
You can open SOLIDWORKS parts and assemblies using Service Pack 5 of the previous release. For example, in SOLIDWORKS 2018 Service Pack 5, you can open SOLIDWORKS 2019 files. Version interoperability is only supported between consecutive releases.
Are SOLIDWORKS files backwards compatible?
Files saved in SOLIDWORKS 2021 are not backwards compatible with earlier versions. Files saved in earlier versions of SOLIDWORKS can be opened and reviewed with later versions. Students using earlier releases of SOLIDWORKS will not be able to open any files saved in 2021.
Can I open SOLIDWORKS 2020 files in older versions?
The last service pack of an earlier release can open files from the next year’s SOLIDWORKS. For example, you could use SOLIDWORKS 2019 SP5 to open and work with SOLIDWORKS 2020 files. We call this Future Version Files. You can still create parts, assemblies and drawings with a future version but in a limited function.
Can you open a SOLIDWORKS 2021 file in 2020?
The Previous Release Interoperability functionality allows 2021 parts and assemblies to be opened in SOLIDWORKS 2020 SP5, with limited functionality.
How do I open a SOLIDWORKS file?
To open existing part, assembly, or drawing documents:
- Click Open (Standard toolbar) or File > Open, or press Ctrl+O.
- In the dialog box, select a file type in Files of type or use the quick filter buttons to view commonly used SOLIDWORKS file types (for example, .
- Browse to select a document or documents.
Can you save as older version of SOLIDWORKS?
You cannot do a save as to an earlier version, and you cannot open the newer version with an older version of SOLIDWORKS, with one exception. You can open part and assembly files in read-only mode in Service Pack 5 of the previous release.
Can you convert new SOLIDWORKS file to older version?
NO! It is not possible to save files with all history to an older version. The only way to open newer files is one version backwards from this, where we save the peaks. However, in this case it does not contribute anything, because the file has no history, just information “Future version file”.
Can you open SOLIDWORKS 2017 files in 2018?
SOLIDWORKS is forward compatible, (meaning you can open a 2017 file in SOLIDWORKS 2018) but is limited in backward compatibility (opening a 2018 file in 2017). In 2014 sp5 SOLIDWORKS introduced a way to open parts and assemblies in a read-only state 1 version previous to the version it was saved in.
How do I open a SOLIDWORKS file for free?
SolidWorks offers a free and easy solution for you called eDrawings Viewer. The eDrawings Viewer allows you to open eDrawings files, get dimensions, and collaborate with others by using the mark-up capability.