Announcement
April 30, 2018

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Synergis Product Support Manager, Darin Green
ISSUE:
With the release of the 2018 file format, users in previous versions (2017, 2016, etc.) are not able save their work even after saving the file down to an earlier file format like 2013.

REASON:
When files are opened and saved in AutoCAD 2018 or 2019, everything within the file is upgraded to the new 2018 format. That includes 2D geometry (lines, text, mtext, hatch, etc.). Although the file format was saved down using the SAVEAS command, the contents within the file are still 2018 objects.

SOLUTION:
Open the file with 2018 or 2019, then perform the following steps.

  1. At the AutoCAD’s command line, type EXPORTTOAUTOCAD2013
    NOTE: The ‘2013’ at the end of the command specifies the file format.
  1. Select ‘Enter For filename’
  1. Specify a new location and file name as needed.

The result is a DWG file with the contents and file format downgraded to the 2013 file format.