"The drawing file cannot be opened because it was created with a more recent version of AutoCAD" when opening a file in AutoCAD

Autodesk Support

Sep 9, 2024

Products and versions covered

Issue:

When opening a drawing in AutoCAD products, the following message appears:
 
Open Drawing - Incompatible Version
The drawing file cannot be opened because it was created with a more recent version of AutoCAD

Error message: Open Drawing - Incompatible Version

Error message sample 2: Open Drawing - Incompatible Version

The AutoCAD command line may also display: 
File <drawing name.dwg> was created by an incompatible version of AutoCAD 
*Invalid*

Causes:

 
  • The AutoCAD version used to open the DWG file is older than the file version.
  • The DWG file is damaged or corrupted.
  • The file is stored in a cloud or server location that is not syncing properly.

Solution:

 

Try the following in order:

  • If multiple versions of AutoCAD are installed, the system may be using the wrong one to open DWG files. Start the desired AutoCAD version without opening a file and then close it. Then, double-click a DWG file in Windows Explorer and it should open in the right version. See Double-clicking a DWG file launches the wrong AutoCAD Product.

Note: This procedure only works if DWG files are set open using the AutoCAD DWG Launcher.
  • Open the DWG file in a version of AutoCAD that supports it. Use SAVEAS to save it to an older format for use in an older version. On a subscription license, the latest version of AutoCAD is always available.
Note: To check what version the DWG file requires, use a text editor (such as Notepad) to open the file. The first characters at the beginning of the file will show the version code for the AutoCAD file version. See Drawing format version codes for AutoCAD.

Products:

AutoCAD for Mac; AutoCAD LT for Mac; AutoCAD Products; DWG TrueView;

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