Opening old ArchiCAD files.

[Steve Jepson]

How do I open old files made with ArchiCAD 6.5 or 7 ?

[Djordje]

Steve wrote:
How do I open old files made with ArchiCAD 6.5 or 7 ?

File/Open.

Preferably a PLA.

[Steve Jepson]

The old files are .pln and some .pmk. I am using 8.1 r2 (2256). I tried reinstalling versions 6 and 7 but had no sucess because they dont recognize the new key. I tried using Plot Maker 2.2, 2.3, and 3.1 to open the old .pmk, .plt, .pbo, and other formats that the files were saved in. No luck there either. Just and error message. "this file created with newer version of PlotMaker" or older.
The files are also saved in .dxf .............everyting except .pla I didnt know about .pla when I made the drawings. I can't even be sure what version of ArchiCAD they were made with. Is there any way to do this?

[__archiben]

Steve wrote:
How do I open old files made with ArchiCAD 6.5 or 7 ?

there is an article in the archiGUIDE:
http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/archiguide/openoldprojects.html

HTH
~/archiben

[Djordje]

Steve wrote:
The old files are .pln and some .pmk. I am using 8.1 r2 (2256). I tried reinstalling versions 6 and 7 but had no sucess because they dont recognize the new key.

On your installation CD for 8.1 there is a Support folder, that has the 7.0 (not sure about 6.5, have to check) that works with the 8.x dongle

Steve wrote:
I tried using Plot Maker 2.2, 2.3, and 3.1 to open the old .pmk, .plt, .pbo, and other formats that the files were saved in. No luck there either. Just and error message. "this file created with newer version of PlotMaker" or older.

PM 3.x can open any of them; try Import, not Open. If it says newer version, and it cannot be newer than 2256, something is badly wrong.

Steve wrote:
The files are also saved in .dxf .............everyting except .pla I didnt know about .pla when I made the drawings. I can't even be sure what version of ArchiCAD they were made with. Is there any way to do this?

You can know which version they are made with by right clicking in Windows Explorer and choosing Properties; it does say which ArchiCAD the file was made in. Then follwo the link Ben posted.

HTH,

[Steve Jepson]

Thanks for the help. I was able to open the files!

[Aquavit]

Steve wrote:
Thanks for the help. I was able to open the files!

Hi, ancient post I know... but I have the same problem.

I'm working in Ver 16 and I've been sent a Ver 6.5 PLN. The earliest ver I have access to is 11.

Any tips...

Thanks.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Aquavit wrote:

Steve wrote:
Thanks for the help. I was able to open the files!

Hi, ancient post I know... but I have the same problem.

I'm working in Ver 16 and I've been sent a Ver 6.5 PLN. The earliest ver I have access to is 11.

Any tips...

Thanks.

You need AC 10 to be able to open a 6.5 file ... you can download it from here:
http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/downloads/Fileconverter.html

The PDF docs you have for 11 explain how to open old pre-10 PLN and plotmaker files and merge them. Once merged, save and open the result in your most recent version of AC.

Of course, if you just want to work with it in the old pre-integration mode, download version 7 or 9 from the same site... but that'll only work for you on Windows, as the Mac listed in your signature can only run Intel programs (10 and above).

Karl

[Karl Ottenstein]

PS Just noticed you said PLN... so you'll have no 6.5 library parts - or any other library parts that were contained in that project. That will be your biggest challenge. Not sure that the 6.5 (etc) libraries are available for download...?

Always save projects as PLA (archive - includes all placed library parts) when 'putting them to bed'. (Advice that I, unfortunately, don't practice enough as too many projects just never seem to go to sleep and when they do, one is busy with new projects and forgets the PLA business.)

[Aquavit]

Karl hello,

Thank you for your swift and comprehensive reply.

I take it the AC-11 pdf files are to guide the merging of the AC-6.5 using AC-10? Not that it is also possible to merge pre-10 PLN's direct from AC-11?

I'm mobile at the moment so WinXP should work fine.

PLA advice noted, I tend to be quite rigid about that, having come unstuck on remote sites with no internet access! Unfortunately the file I'm attempting to open were not saved by me and are the only available reference for this job...

Cheers.