Future Version Components in Earlier Releases

You can open SOLIDWORKS parts and assemblies using Service Pack 5 of the previous release.

For example, in SOLIDWORKS 2018 Service Pack 5, you can open SOLIDWORKS 2019 files. Version interoperability is only supported between consecutive releases. For example, you cannot open a SOLIDWORKS 2019 file in SOLIDWORKS 2017 Service Pack 5.

Future version files appear in read-only mode when opened in the previous release and have reduced functionality. The FeatureManager design tree contains limited data.

Any actions that require FeatureManager design tree data cannot be performed with a future version file open in the previous release Service Pack 5. However, after you upgrade to the next version of SOLIDWORKS, all the FeatureManager design tree data is available.

With a SOLIDWORKS part or assembly open in Service Pack 5 of the previous release you can:

  • View configurations.
  • Use the Measure tool.
  • View Mass Properties and Custom Properties.
  • View Materials.

You cannot edit future version SOLIDWORKS parts or assemblies in Service Pack 5 of the previous release. You can use future version parts and assemblies in drawings and assemblies of Service Pack 5 of the previous release.

Adding Future Version Files as Components in an Assembly

You can use parts and assemblies from the current release of the SOLIDWORKS software as components of an assembly in Service Pack 5 of the previous release.

Interoperability is only supported between consecutive releases.

In Service Pack 5 of the previous release, in an assembly, you can:

  • Mate the future version SOLIDWORKS component or subassembly to other components.
  • Add a Bill of Materials that includes future and current version components.
  • Suppress and unsuppress future version components.
  • Create a drawing of the assembly that includes future version and current version components.
  • Use interference detection when mating future version and current version components.
  • Mirror and pattern future version components.
  • See and reference default planes and origins of the future version part or subassembly.
In multiconfiguration models, for each configuration that you want to access in the older release, configuration data must first be generated and saved in the newer release.

Creating Drawings of Future Version Parts and Assemblies

You can create drawings of future version SOLIDWORKS parts and assemblies in Service Pack 5 of the previous release, with some limitations.

You cannot:

  • Insert model items.
  • Access FeatureManager design tree data such as weldment cut lists and weld beads.

You can create drawings of assemblies that contain both current and future version components.

You cannot open future version drawings in Service Pack 5 of the previous release.