Is it possible to save a BricsCAD file in a format compatible with AutoCAD 2013?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — BricsCAD can save a drawing in an AutoCAD 2013-compatible format by using SAVEAS and selecting the DWG 2013 file type. This is the fastest and most common professional method for sharing BricsCAD files with AutoCAD 2013 users. Some newer BricsCAD-specific objects may not translate perfectly.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: If the drawing contains custom objects, BIM data, constraints, or third-party entities, AutoCAD 2013 may display proxy objects or lose editable intelligence. Also, users often overwrite the original file by mistake instead of creating a separate 2013-version copy.

How to Save a BricsCAD File for AutoCAD 2013

  • Command: SAVEAS

  • Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+S

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Open the drawing, then go to the Application menu or type SAVEAS in the command line.
    2. In the Save Drawing As dialog, choose *Files of type: Drawing (.dwg) and set the version to AutoCAD 2013 Drawing**.
    3. Enter a new file name, confirm the save location, and click Save to create the compatible DWG copy.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: In the Save As dialog, choose the correct dwg version such as AutoCAD 2013 Drawing.

  • Expert Setting: Always save to a new file name when exporting to an older DWG version. This preserves the native BricsCAD working file and reduces the risk of losing newer object behavior during backward conversion.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): 3D solids, parametric constraints, or custom entities may be downgraded, converted, or partially lost when saved to the AutoCAD 2013 DWG format.

  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): Xrefs, locked layers, or externally referenced custom content can carry unsupported objects into the saved file, causing proxy warnings in AutoCAD 2013.

  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Saving to DWG 2013 does not automatically guarantee full feature compatibility; file format compatibility is not the same as object-type compatibility.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Run AUDIT before SAVEAS, then save to AutoCAD 2013 Drawing as a separate file.

  • Manager’s Verdict: Use this method for standard 2D/3D production exchange when the recipient requires AutoCAD 2013 DWG. Avoid relying on it for complex BricsCAD-specific workflows unless you test the output in AutoCAD 2013 first.

FAQ

Can BricsCAD save directly to DWG 2013?
Yes, use SAVEAS and select AutoCAD 2013 Drawing.

Will AutoCAD 2013 open all BricsCAD objects correctly?
No, unsupported custom or intelligent objects may appear as proxies.

Should I overwrite my original BricsCAD file?
No, it is better to save a separate copy for AutoCAD 2013 compatibility.

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