The DWG file format changes from time to time, as newer technology or improvements are incorporated. In general, newer product versions can always open all older DWG file format versions. However, when a new DWG file format is introduced, prior versions will not be able to open it.
For information about drawing file formats, see
About Drawing File Format Changes.
AECC Object Compatibility
- In
Autodesk Civil 3D, the AECC objects in each release are not backward compatible. When a drawing is opened in a prior release, AEC objects are displayed as proxy objects, and all
Autodesk Civil 3D commands are disabled.
- You cannot edit the proxy object or make changes to the design.
- If you need to edit objects in a previous release of
Autodesk Civil 3D, your only option is to export the
Autodesk Civil 3D objects to a LandXML file, then import the LandXML data into the previous version.
Country Kits
Autodesk provides country kits that make
Autodesk Civil 3D more applicable to local standards in many places around the world. Each year these country kits are updated to the new formats and enhanced by new features. Many country kits are available on the
Autodesk Civil 3D DVD, and others are provided at
www.autodesk.com/civil3d-countrykits. You should not have to do anything to migrate a country kit, except if you derive company or project standards from the country kit. Install the new country kit and read the documentation to learn about changes and additions and to determine how to apply the latest version. Country kits are installed using the Content Pack mechanism.
Compatibility of
Autodesk Civil 3D Drawings with AutoCAD and Other Software
Choose one of the following options to bring your
Autodesk Civil 3D 2019 drawing to AutoCAD or other programs:
-
Save - If you save a drawing in
Autodesk Civil 3D 2019 and open it in AutoCAD, all
Autodesk Civil 3D objects, are displayed as proxy objects. If PROXYGRAPHICS was set to 1 at the time you saved the drawing in
Autodesk Civil 3D and PROXYSHOW is set to 1 at the time you open the drawing in AutoCAD, the proxy objects are displayed as graphic images (you see your design correctly). If PROXYGRAPHICS and/or PROXYSHOW are not set to 1, you might see only a bounding box, or the proxy may not be displayed.
-
Export Civil 3D Drawing - This command converts all
Autodesk Civil 3D objects to plain AutoCAD objects and saves the file to either a DWG or a DGN file.
-
Export to other software - Export the
Autodesk Civil 3D design to LandXML and use a third party application to import the LandXML.
-
Autodesk Civil 3D Object Enabler - Installing the Object Enabler with another Autodesk product allows you to see the
Autodesk Civil 3D objects regardless of the drawing settings. You can query the properties of the
Autodesk Civil 3D objects and obtain extended information, but you cannot edit the objects. If you have installed the
Autodesk Civil 3D object enabler, additional information, such as surface statistics, corridor, and pipe network information is available to you in the AutoCAD property palette.
Note: In situations where the previously suggested methods for converting files does not work, use the Export to AutoCAD command and then save as DXF. The 3rd party software may be able to use the 2D or 3D graphical and text information to construct a model.