Autocad Question?

[Anjie]

Okay all of you professional Autocad users, need some help here. We have a new system at work running Windows XP that needs to be loaded with AutoCad. The dilema here is that the only full version of Autocad is really old and from a series of floppies and the rest are all upgrades up to Autocad 2004. Because the version on floppies is actually stored on a zip disk and the original floppies have been misplaced they can not install the original version either. The new computer has never had Autocad set up on it and we would like to do a new installation of 2000 or 2004, but when we try to proceed it says that some or all of the files on the system have been corrupted or deleted and stops. I believe it is because the upgrade is looking for the previous version. Does anyone know of a way to get around this? Another question...one of the guys says that you can not open the old files from the older dos based autocad with the 2004 Autocad and wants to go no higher than 2000. Is this true? They have Autocad 2004 upgrade still in the package and are afraid to install it. Is this because they are afraid of new things or is there some truth to not being able to open the older files?

[Jester]

Don't know a way around all the corrupt fiels and stuff, but as for opening all the old files do a save as on every file and save them in teh 2000 format and then 2004 will open the 200 files and convert them when you save. I'm using ACAD 2004 Archetectural desktop and ACAD Map 2004 I liked 2003 better.

[Mac Medic]

As to the installation, why couldn't you install off of the Zip Disk? or contact Autodesk for a replacement set? as long as they can validate your serial numbers they may even provide a useable version of 2k4 for a nominal fee or have a work around for you.

Autocad 2004 will open any .DWG file created with any prior version of autocad. Forwards compatibility has always been good with autocad. The problems arise when trying to make a drawing backwards compatible. Autocad 2000 cannot open a 2k4 file, R14 cannot open a 2k file etc..etc... To convert a 2k4 file for an R14 user you would have to save the file 1st as a 2k file. Then open it in 2k and save it as an R14 file etc.. This pretty much guarantees Autodesk upgrade sales as you have to have the same version as your clients in-order to use the file. Kind of a vicious circle. The formatting lost in the conversion, IMHO almost negates the process though, going form 2k4 to R14 would remove any irregular viewports, layout views etc..

[Anjie]

Cool! Thanks Guys. So, if I understand correctly, if he installs 2004 he will not be able to create something at home and then just bring it in and continue working on it at work without changing the file type and so on to match the 2000 setups at work. But if they go ahead and update the old computers at work to 2004, this is not an issue at all, correct? They will NOT have problems opening the older files?

[Mac Medic]

Correct

[Anjie]

Cool! Thanks OEM....now to only try and teach the old dogs a few new tricks....he he...one more question now. They frequently exchange drawings with other companies using floppy disks so of course there is no way to know who has what version of Autocad without inquiring. My question is, if a customer has an earlier version, can the drawing be saved in a format that will allow them to see the drawings without loosing any of it? And NOTE: I can't convince them to even use a decent computer company. They have an entire office full of brand new HP Home PC's so a MAC is never gona happen.