Problem

With each new year version of SOLIDWORKS, the chance that you will need to send a file to a user or customer who uses a previous year's version grows. SOLIDWORKS is backward compatible (meaning you can open a 2017 file in SOLIDWORKS 2018), but is limited in forward compatibility (opening a 2018 file in 2017). 

In SOLIDWORKS 2014 SP5, SOLIDWORKS introduced a way to open parts and assemblies in a read-only state one version previous to the version it was saved in. That means you can open a 2020 part or assembly in 2019 SP5 or a 2021 file in 2020 SP5. This is only available in the final service pack of each year, and it has limited functionality. See this help article for its capabilities.

So what can you do if you need to send the file to someone using a 2 or 3-year-old version of SOLIDWORKS? Depending on your files and version of SOLIDWORKS, there are a couple of options.

Solution 1: SOLIDWORKS 2024 & Newer Save to Previous

SOLIDWORKS 2024 introduced the ability to save files back to a previous version of SOLIDWORKS. This functionality works up to two years back - SOLIDWORKS 2024 can save files back to SOLIDWORKS 2022 or SOLIDWORKS 2023, and SOLIDWORKS 2026 can save files back to SOLIDWORKS 2024 or SOLIDWORKS 2025.

1. Open the file you want to save and go to File > Save As.

2. Select your desired year version from the "Save as type" drop-down list.

   

3. Specify a name and location for your file and hit Save.

If your file contains features that did not exist in previous versions of SOLIDWORKS, the save will be blocked, and you will get a window showing the incompatible item. You can leave that window open, fix the feature in question, and update the window to confirm that the save can proceed.

The ability to save files to a previous version is also available in the File > Pack and Go window for multiple files with references, or assemblies, drawings, and their components. 

Solution 2: Save as a Neutral File

SOLIDWORKS treats all .x_t (Parasolid) files as neutral 3rd party files. Because of this, it is possible to export your file as a Parasolid and then import it back into a previous year's version of SOLIDWORKS. This workaround can be done with both part and assembly files. We recommend the Parasolid format rather than STEP because it is native to the kernel of SOLIDWORKS, so there is no fidelity lost because there is no translation.

1. Open the part or assembly within SOLIDWORKS that you wish to export.

2. Verify within your system options that the file will export properly. If you plan on exporting using a step file format, the Solid/ Surface geometry will need to be toggled on. Parasolid does not need to have any options changed since it will always be saved as a solid

   

3. Save the file using File -> Save As and change the file type to .x_t (Parasolid). Keep in mind that the more faces and edges to export, the longer it will take and larger the file size. Large assemblies can take a long time to export, and the file size can be quite large.

Once the file has been saved as a Parasolid, you can send it to the user who wishes to open it in the previous version. Even though the file comes from SOLIDWORKS, it will still be treated like any other imported file and needs to follow the normal import process. There will be no features, but it will be editable just like any other imported body.

For further technical support, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at 877.266.4469 for the U.S. or 866.587.6803 for Canada and support@hawkridgesys.com.