We do work for clients that require us to deliver C3D files in 2009 format. Our problem is that occasionally someone working on the job will open the drawing in C3D 2014 without paying attention and save. When this happens saving the drawing to a previous version to allow it to be opened in 2009 creates the “this drawing was created with a newer version of C3D” error. The client does not like this and won’t accept the deliverable.
Is there a way to assign drawing files located in a certain folder to only be associated with C3D 2009?
Thanks
You have to go into the options (type "op") then files and save, then change the default to 2010 or 2007 (every 3 years they update the DWG type). This should do the trick and should remain the default.
From my experience there is no way export the smart data from one version back to an older version. The export or save as options just convert the simple AutoCAD features. Versions 2013-2015 are all compatible.
I have the same problem, different clients require different versions. I try to open the appropriate version of C3D and then open the drawing. I version selection tool would be great but I don't see AutoDesk doing that.
sincpac add on can do this
> sincpac add on can do this
I checked their website and I can't seem to find anything where it would let you assign the version of C3D you want.
CUT AND PASTE FROM THE HELP FILE ON MY INSTALLED VERSION
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SincpacC3D General Information Command Summary Quux Software
"Old Version" Lock
Description
Because of the incompatibility between yearly releases of Civil 3D, some users may find it necessary to use multiple versions of the software; for example, one project must be done with an older version of Civil 3D so that the drawings can be shared with another company. However, when doing this, it is easy to open a drawing in the newer version, and accidentally save it, upgrading the file. Civil 3D will warn you that you are opening an older-format drawing when you first open it, but not when you save it. And once a drawing has been upgraded, it can be very troublesome to get that drawing back to a usable state.
The OPTIONS Tab contains checkboxes that flag directories as 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011, as seen below:
Sincpac-C3D OPTIONS tab
When one of these checkboxes is selected, an empty text file is created in the same directory as the current drawing. This empty text file is called "_keep_c3d2008.txt", "_keep_c3d2009.txt", "_keep_c3d2010.txt", or "_keep_c3d2011.txt", depending on which checkbox is selected. You can also create this file manually, if you wish. Unchecking the checkbox simply deletes this file from the directory. Whenever you trigger a save of a file, the Sincpac-C3D will check to see if one of these files exists in the same directory as the drawing. If one of the files exists, that drawing is considered "flagged" as one that should remain in the old format.
For example, if you select "Keep Drawings as 2009" for a directory, and then attempt to QSAVE any drawing in this directory using Civil-3D 2011, you will see a dialog like the following:
Old Version Lock dialog
This simply reminds you that you had flagged this directory as one that should remain in Civil-3D 2009 format. You may still save the file if you wish, or cancel the save. The purpose of this feature is to merely get your attention, and ask you if you REALLY want to save the DWG in Civil-3D 2011 format.
Similarly, if you attempt to SAVE a drawing, QUIT Civil-3D with open drawings, or attempt to CLOSE an open drawing, you may see the following warning:
Old Version Lock - Close dialog
This warning will appear just before the normal dialog box. You may still overwrite the drawing if you wish; this dialog box simply serves as a reminder.
WARNING: No warning dialog box appears for the SAVEAS command, so you will not be warned if you use SAVEAS to overwrite a drawing file.
See Also
Blue Dot OPTIONS Tab
Adjust general settings for the Sincpac-C3D.
Thank You, this is exactly what we need.