Converting old Archicad Files

mtron
Graphisoft
Graphisoft
You can choose from the below listed Archicad File converters to convert your Archicad files to a format which is supported by current Archicad versions. The latest Archicad File converters can be find on Graphisoft.com.
You can also find the FAQ on installation, platform and protection compatibility there. INT and USA versions of Archicad 10, Archicad 9 and Archicad 7 can be downloaded. These special conversion versions are ready-to-run installations, and also include the libraries.
For Mac users, note that the programs are for PPC, not Intel. If you are using Snow Leopard* , and do not have the Rosetta environment installed which allows running these older PPC programs, you will be prompted by Snow Leopard to install it. If you are running Leopard or Tiger, no extra action is required. Also note that while you can run Archicad 9 by simply opening the disk image (dmg) file, Archicad 7 will not run unless you copy the contents of the disk image onto your disk, such as into your Applications folder. These versions will run with a WIBU protection key only; they will not run with a Codemeter key. Even with a WIBU key, you may need to download the file WkMAC.LIB from here and install it as directed.
*(Snow Leopard is the latest version that supports Rosetta)

Converting files to be used in Archicad 27

Archicad 27 can open PLN files back to version 17.

If you want to open your older version files (10-16) in ARCHICAD 27, first you have to save a copy from a version between ARCHICAD 17-26. 

Archicad 10 File Converter

Archicad 10 Package - opens files from version 6.5 to 10 and saves into Archicad 10 format.

Archicad 9 File Converter

Archicad 9 Package - opens files from version 5.0 to 9 saves into Archicad 9 format.

Archicad 7.0 File Converter

Archicad 7.0 Package - opens files from version 4.1 to 7 saves into Archicad 7 format.

Archicad 4.1 File Converter

If you have Archicad 3.4.x files, use this Archicad 4.1 File Converter application. It opens file from version 3.4.x to version 4.0.x plan files and saves into version 4.1 format. The files saved in Archicad 4.1 format can be opened with Archicad 5.0 to 7.0 versions on the same platform. (You can use the Archicad 7 File Converter package from this page above) The files saved into Archicad 7 format can be opened with Archicad 8 to Archicad 10 versions on any platform. (You can use the Archicad 10 File Converter package from this page above) The files saved into Archicad 10 format can be opened with the currently uptodate Archicad version. This Archicad 4.1 File Converter application works both on 68k and PowerPC Macs. It runs under macOS 9 and macOS X too, as a 'Classic' application.
 
NOTE: 'Classic' environment is only supported by macOS X 10.4 or earlier on PowerPC Macs, or can be emulated with Rosetta up to macOS X 10.6 on intel machines. <!--For help installing the Classic environment, read this: Help on installing the Classic environment--> Download Archicad File Converter (292 KB)

Archicad 4.1-4.55 Mac format to v 4.1-4.55 PC format

It is an Archicad File Exchange application that converts Mac files to PC format. Using Archicad 5.0 or later this becomes obsolete because these versions are able to save archive files (.pla) in multiplatform format. Archicad File Exchange works on 68k and PPC Macs. It runs under macOS 9 and Mac_OS_X too, as a 'Classic' application.
 
NOTE:'Classic' environment is only supported by macOS X 10.4 or earlier on PowerPC Macs, or can be emulated with Rosetta up to macOS X 10.6 on intel machines. For help installing the Classic environment, read this: Help on installing the Classic environment > Download Archicad File Exchange 2.11 Int'l (600 KB)

Library

The Update Library Parts command could be used in the Special Menu of Archicad 4.55 or later.
 
NOTE: Features of the Special menu are not supported Library Migration is available since Archicad 10: Library Migration
Comments

Are there any plans to update the file converter packages to work with Windows 11? I have downloaded them but they launch and crash. I have had to update my MacBook to an M1 processor version which runs Windows 11 ARM through Parallels. We sue the old version 7 and 10 file converters to open our old files.

Barry Kelly
Moderator

I don't have Windows 11, and I am not trying to run Windows on a Mac ARM machine.

But in the Windows OS, we have the option of 'Compatibility Mode' that allows us to run a program as in earlier versions of Windows.

Do you have any similar options?

 

BarryKelly_1-1661131441025.png

 

Barry.

Thanks for that. I’ll have a look and see if it works. An error pops up for AC9 that says a driver is installed that is incompatible and may cause instability. AC10 just crashes straight after launch. 

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