How to save your file in BricsCAD to be opened in older versions of AutoCAD?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — in BricsCAD, the standard way to save your file so it opens in older versions of AutoCAD is to use SAVEAS and choose an earlier dwg file format, such as AutoCAD 2013 or 2010. This is the most common professional method for backward compatibility. Some newer BricsCAD objects may not translate perfectly.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Saving to an older dwg version can silently replace or simplify newer object types, annotative data, or custom entities that older AutoCAD releases do not fully support. If the drawing contains AEC objects, proxy objects, or third-party custom data, the recipient may still see display issues.

How to Save a BricsCAD File for Older AutoCAD Versions

  • Command: SAVEAS

  • Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+S

  • Quick Steps:

    1. In the Ribbon, go to the Application menu or File menu and choose Save As, or type SAVEAS in the command line.
    2. In the Save Drawing As dialog, open the Files of type dropdown and select the required older DWG format, such as *AutoCAD 2013 Drawing (.dwg)**.
    3. Choose the file name and location, then click Save to create the backward-compatible DWG.

Variables & Settings

  • System Variable: SAVEFIDELITY (Default: 0)

  • Expert Setting: When set appropriately for collaboration workflows, this affects how visual fidelity is preserved for annotative and other compatible drawing data when saving to DWG. For older-version exchange, always verify the target DWG format in the Save As dialog, because format choice is still the main compatibility control.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): 3D solids, custom objects, or newer entity features may be downgraded, converted, or displayed as proxy objects in older AutoCAD versions.

  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): If referenced files, layer states, or dependent xrefs use newer objects or are missing, the saved DWG may open with incomplete content or unresolved layer-related display problems.

  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Users often use regular SAVE instead of SAVEAS, which keeps the current default format and does not create an older AutoCAD-compatible version.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Run SAVEAS again and explicitly choose a known stable target such as AutoCAD 2013 DWG, then reopen that saved file in BricsCAD to check for proxy warnings or missing objects.

  • Manager’s Verdict: Use SAVEAS to an agreed office standard version for all outbound files. Avoid sending the latest DWG format when working with outside consultants unless their AutoCAD version is confirmed.

FAQ

Can BricsCAD save directly to older AutoCAD DWG versions?

Yes, use SAVEAS and select the required older DWG format.

What is the safest DWG version for sharing?

AutoCAD 2013 DWG is commonly used because it balances compatibility and feature support well.

Will all BricsCAD features work in old AutoCAD versions?

No, newer or custom objects may lose functionality or appear as proxy objects.

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