Being a 3rd party plugin, they aren’t perfect but they get the job done.With the latest buzz about new versions of SOLIDWORKS, it’s easy to get confused about some of the basics when it comes to upgrading to a newer version. They may be able to recognize almost all of the features of the original part. Third-party SolidWorks add-ins (such as BackWorks) also exist that allow saving a current file version as an older SolidWorks version. It can’t be used for complex shapes, such as lofts, sweeps, etc. However, keep in mind that Recognize Feature can only be used to recognize simple features such as Extrude, Drafts, Revolves, Thicken, Holes, Fillets/Chamfers, and Ribs. It could be helpful when using Recognize Feature to better create the Feature tree of an imported SolidWorks file. (Tip: We recommend the Parasolid (*.x_t) file type as it uses the SolidWorks kernel which ensures a high degree of exactness with which file data is copied or reproduced. Either use a 3rd party CAD Conversion software that supports the import of SolidWorks native files and then export it to another file type or ask the person who gave you the Future version file to convert the file into one of these file types. You can then import these file types into SolidWorks as feature-less solid bodies or surfaces. Method 2: Use a Neutral File FormatĮxport the file in a CAD neutral file type (i.e. Upgrading not only solves this problem entirely but also provides a lot of new tools and improvements. The best course of action would be to upgrade to the latest version of SolidWorks.

For example, you cannot open a SolidWorks 2022 file in SolidWorks 2020 Service Pack 5. Version interoperability is only supported between consecutive releases. For example, in SOLIDWORKS 2021 Service Pack 5, you can open SolidWorks 2022 files. This allows you to open SolidWorks parts and assemblies using Service Pack 5 of the previous release. In order to somewhat remedy this problem, in Solidworks 2014 SP5, Version Interoperability was introduced. So, No, Solidworks can’t open future version files. Older versions of SolidWorks were missing a lot of newer tools which would mean that opening a newer version file in an older version would certainly create issues. SolidWorks 2022 can open files created in 2021, 2020, 2019, and older).īut SolidWorks Forward compatibility doesn’t exist because every year SolidWorks updates its software with new tools and performance enhancements. The SolidWorks software has always been Backward compatible meaning that the most recent version of SolidWorks can open any previous version of the SolidWorks files (i.e. Before we answer this question, first, let’s discuss SolidWorks file compatibility.

OPEN SOLIDWORKS 2018 FILE WITH 2017