SW04 compatibility with older files?

[MadMango]

The IT department here won't upgrade us to SW04 until they see user feedback that confirms the ability of SW04 SP1 to open older versions of SW files with error (at least major).

We started using SW since SW96+, and we still have a few files created in every past version to present (SW03 SP3.1). This is the first time we have considered opening every single SW file (~35k+) and saving them to the latest version (via home-grown scripts).

I have been testing SW04 at home with older files and I have not run into any issues. Granted my sample size has been small and simple (about 20 files, no more than 100-part assys, no Design Tables, no swoopy parts). I would like to hear feedback from others that have already upgraded to SW04 (either SP0 or SP1) concerning opening older files. Have you had any troubles, or have things been silky-smooth?

Thanks in advance.

MadMango
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[Mandrake22]

No problems here. At least none related to file opening!

 

[TheTick]

If you use a VB program, perhaps incorporate some sort of error log into it. Also, don't overwrite the originals, just in case (I'm sure you already figured that one).

You may also want to detect and cycle through all configurations.

If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

 

[SBaugh]

I haven't seen any problems here directly, but there are some known bugs in the software... like there always is so it's hard to tell if everything is going to work perfectly. Your IT dept. should understand this since they know Software is not flawless.

Best thing to do is back up all your files, update your system too SP1.0 (since that pack usually fixes a LOT of the bugs in SP0) and try it out.

I have a lot people that have upgraded and out of all the people that have upgraded only 2 have came back and said there was a problem when opening up their files form SW03 and that was fixed in SP1. Now only 1 says there is still an issue with his files in SP1. We are in process of looking into his claims, but I do know for a fact the thing they complained about is fixed in SP1. FYI - It had to do with Derived configs.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[meintsi]

The conversion wizard built into SolidWorks has worked nicely for us to keep all of our older models at the newest level.

We've always coverted one step at a time though (always without any major problems). Might be a bit careful about doing through several levels at once.

Might try doing one folder or directory at a time with autobackup utility turned on so you don't lose anything.



Remember...
"If you don't use your head,
your going to have to use your feet."

 

[rocheey]

We're just about to make the jump here ourselves.. but I keep hearing about other "features" (haa haa) that may be of issue. The derived config bug in SP0 would have killed us; it reproduced the bug consistently.

I am now hearing tale of features/sketches being mysteriously suppressed when RE opening files, once they are saved in SP1. I dont particularly recall seeing this myself, and wont have access to the SW04/SP1 box till tomorrow. Has anyone else seen this behaviour?

 

[EdDanzer]

As to the older files, SolidWorks still does a lousy job of backwards compatibility. We just upgraded to 2004. It is no better and seems no worse than any other release as to backward compatibility.
My words of advice, backup all files, open, repair and save all parts and part drawings prior to opening any assemblies, do not open any assembly drawings until the assembly is repaired.
Be prepared to spend 20% of your time repairing files, assemblies with parts from many different rev’s seem the biggest pain. The more configurations and in context features the more problems. Drawing pages may be faster to replace than fix in some cases.
As with each new release there are some nice features, some features will take time to get comfortable with (the new mate method), and a few steps backwards (the new BOM method is poorly done), we still use Excel.

 

[SBaugh]

The new BOM is still new and in it's infancy stage along with some other new features. Give the new BOM's a chance. Customers will drive them to a better standing. They are better in some ways than the Excel BOM's. You don't have the excel limitations with the new BOM's which is a big plus IMO. There are still limitations to them but they are new... A good wine takes time to taste great.

Hopefully it won't take as long as Wine does!

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[sirmick]

We have a regression error with one of our major projects. We are having to maintain a SW2001 install in order to do change it. It fails with a ctrl-q rebuild in SW2003 and SW2004.

Opening and saving aren't enough because the part does that fine. Make sure you do a full rebuild for each part and config.