how do i open 6.5 files

[Anonymous]

i worked in Archicad about 10 years ago for several years, using v 6.5 for Mac (since then, i have had to use another program for my work).

i need to open these 6.5 files and possibly save them as PDFs. i have downloaded the trial version of Archicad 15 for Windows, and have downloaded the "converter packages" -- i think. but frankly, i don't know what to do with this stuff. i cannot find any specific info on this website about how to use these converter packages.

i have no wibu key for 6.5 anymore, and don't even own a mac anymore.

how do i open these 6.5 files with the trial version of Archicad 15? (is there a way i can get a trial b version of Archicad 10, which i think still opens 6.5 files?)

thank-you

[Anonymous]

so i see that i can open the files in the demo version on the Archicad 10 package (without a wibu key) -- but even if i can get them open for full use, is there anyway to open the .LAY files?

how can i open the LAY pages as they were intended?

thank-you

[Barry Kelly]

Version 10 can't open old LAY files - only up to version 9 can do this.

There is a big difference between the old multi-layout single page LAY files and the newer multi-page layout books.

This article might help you out.

http://www.archicadwiki.com/ArchiCAD10/ProjectMigration/Convert%20ArchiCAD%207.0%20and%20older%20pro...

But even if you do get these old files open saving is disabled in the demo version.
You might be able to print your PDFs though.

Barry.

[Piotr Dobrowolski]

Get AC 9 - Plotmaker does not need key to run so You will be able to open and save/print to pdf Your files.

Best Regards,
Piotr

[Anonymous]

thanks Piotr

how do i get Archicad 9 Plotmaker? that is exactly really the only thing i need to do -- plot the layout pages to PDFs. ( id o not need to work with these drawings)

is Arch 9 Plotmaker available as a free download on Graphisoft?

thanks everyone for your input.

[Anonymous]

so i downloaded the Archicad 9 package from the conversion page on Graphisoft, and then opened up Plotmaker in the folder.

interesting -- it "opens" up most of the LAY page files, but the vector drawings in the boxes are all missing (just the layout page). it also opens up the PMK files, but of course that is just all the plan drawing pieces -- not layouts.

i guess i am out of luck unless i want to just print out pieces from the drawings -- (or find an old mac with an old 6.5 version of Archicad) -- unless someone else has any suggestions.

any other suggestions of how to see the LAY pages with the drawings on them, and plot them to PDF?

thanks

[Anonymous]

interesting -- there are a few LAY files that DO open up in Plotmaker 9 --

it's all very mysterious

[Anonymous]

It could be that the PMKs are not showing because they were originally linked rather than embedded and the path to the source files has changed (which it presumably has). As I recall there is a Navigator/Organizer similar to the current one where you should be able to relink the drawings.

[Anonymous]

ok, well i have had some success --

after considering Matthew's comment, i went to the Plotmaker program again and used it to open some of the LAY files...then, there is a scroll-down tree in Plotmaker that will list the available PMK files to link the LAY page viewports to...i simply "linked" all of the PMK files that had been "embedded", and the viewports on the LAY page opened....worked like a charm.

thanks!

was able to print to PDF using a pdf program i already have in my computer -- this is excellent!