Issue description
A project originally created in an earlier version of Archicad needs to be reopened for updates and modifications, but the current version in use is Archicad 28. Attempts to open the file directly in Archicad 28 have been unsuccessful, rendering the project inaccessible. Is there a method to recover the project for further use?
Solution
Important: This workflow applies to Windows only. The Archicad File Converter is not compatible with modern versions of macOS, so the conversion steps must be completed on a Windows computer.
Archicad’s compatibility with older file versions has limitations, as the downloadable Archicad installers on the web only go back to Archicad 18. Additionally, Archicad 18 and later versions can only open project files created in Archicad 8.1 or newer (see Archicad file protection and compatibility). For projects created in Archicad 7 or earlier, the following steps outline how to recover and update these files:
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Download Archicad File Converter:
- Obtain the Archicad File Converter from the Graphisoft website. This specialized tool can handle projects created in Archicad 4.1 through Archicad 7.
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Convert the original file to Archicad 10 format:
- Open the Archicad File Converter.
- Load the project file created in Archicad 7 or earlier.
- Convert and save the file in Archicad 10 format.
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Open and Save the file using Archicad 26:
- Download Archicad 26 from the Graphisoft Downloads page.
- Open the file saved in Archicad 10 format.
- Save the project in Archicad 26 format.
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Open and Save the file using Archicad 28:
- Finally, open the project saved in Archicad 26 format using Archicad 28.
- Save the file in Archicad 28 format, making it fully compatible with the latest version.
TIPs:
- Preservation of data: during file conversion, some data may not transfer seamlessly due to differences in features or settings between versions. Review the project after each conversion step to ensure critical information is intact.
- Backup files: always create backups of the original and intermediate files to avoid data loss during the conversion process.
- Compatibility considerations: be aware of changes in tools, libraries, and functionalities across Archicad versions, which may affect project elements. You may need to adjust or replace specific components manually.