Need Help with Software

Try here... these people are very helpful!!

http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=562&page=1

You're going to have to find someone that's very familiar with the file format. I am sure someone out there can hack through this.

If you want to try, open a copy of each file type in a word editor and look for some blatant differences near the beginning of the file. I'm willing to bet that it's just a matter of not allowing the commercial version to recognize the academic version.

Why would a software publisher tweak it like that? I mean, it would make sense if the files from the commercial version can't be opened with the academic version while files from the academic version can be opened with the commercial version but, tweaking it the other way around like you discribed is very strange, or perhaps a mistake.

I think it is the incompetence of the programmers. I have the same problem with 2 successive versions of the same PRO (high level) soft from IMSI. The files from the newest version are not read by the previous one since I work witha subcontractor using the former version I cannot communicate any more via e-mails. More than that the files coverted in . DXF or .DWG behave the same way which totally gainst the principle of such exchange files. So that in fact an univesal exchange file is not any more universal. This is the new principle of programming. And as in the case mentionned with Solid edge nobody informs about this limitation. By the way if it is not clearly given as an information than it has to be compensated for.

You could try Autovue. This opens many file formats. You may be able to open your original files and do a save as. They do a free 30 day trial thats not restricted in any way.

BR

J the J

Can you export the files in an exchange format such as STEP or IGES? If you can, you should be able to import them into your new software. The model will import as a dumb solid but at least it would be usable.

Try running the academic version and the commercial version simultaneously then cut out of the academic version and paste into the commercial version

A business should never buy an academic version. Its basically illegal to do so. Since when a college will turn into a manufacturer?

So far non of the old 3D cad software could open new version file. Its not a leak of skill but on purpose to get customer to upgrade.

The best and possibly only way it to export to STP or IGS from your academic copy then open them in your commercial copy.

Pineapple

I feel that we should publish such problems about certain software here on CR4, so that others are forewarned and buy something else that works properly and is correctly supported.

By the way, if I as a student buy an academic copy to learn on and later pay out the big bucks for the full version......is that not the normal way round?????

Who would buy the full version first and later buy the academic version later .......DUUUHHH!!

What advantage does the software company feel it is making with this marketing model they have now?

I know now that if ever need such software what I will not buy!!!

I try never to buy again from companies that have stiffed me (or others) in some way, ever again!! Software, hardware, cars anything....there is such a wide choice, I do not have to look far for something new from another company!

This is the way that companies like Autodesk have created their user base. They supply the academic licences at a price that the colleges can afford knowing that they are creating an army of students trained to use their software.

I am sure that you are right, its a good move with regards to selling and I have nothing against doing it either. I would call it "intelligent marketing".....

But why cannot the expensive program open the student files? That is the crux of this Blog!!! That is where the intelligence actually stops!!!!!

The other direction actually works and basically nobody needs it......

I am quite sure that they lose a large part of the students to other software companies because of this short sightedness.....the students can go and buy another (cheaper, better - both?) program, that will probably import their student files with no bother at all.......

I'm really not sure about this one, as guest said in post #8, in 3D CAD you can't open a file in an older version of the CAD software. I've questioned the vendors about this & been told that it is because the model database has changed. Is this deliberate? It certainly seems to be common to all CAD systems. Maybe the problem between academic & commercial versions of CAD systems has a similar basis.

In this particular case, the problem would appear to deliberate, why? - Heaven knows...

According to the Blog owner, the student version can open files of the full version, but the full version cannot open his student files - where he has many, many hours of work already invested.....so they are compatible.

I am sure nobody would be griping if the student version could not load the full versions files......that would be acceptable as a marketing strategy!!

I believe (hope!) that I have stated the problem correctly......