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Inventor version converter

Can it be saved down?

No downgrade exists. Inventor migrates files to the current release when they are saved, and older releases cannot open them. Use STEP, SAT or a pre-upgrade copy instead.

Inventor parts (.ipt), assemblies (.iam) and drawings (.idw/.dwg) are migrated forward when opened and saved in a newer release. Autodesk does not provide a save-to-previous-version command, so every working route either exports neutral geometry or recovers an older copy.

The procedure that works

  1. 1Look for the pre-upgrade copy first: the OldVersions folder next to the file, or the vault history, often holds the earlier release.
  2. 2Need solids: have the newer release export STEP (AP214/AP242) or SAT, then open it in your release. Geometry is exact; the feature tree is not.
  3. 3Need to edit: use the imported base solid and add new features on top, or rebuild key features using the imported body as reference.
  4. 4Drawings: ask for DWG or PDF output of each sheet.
  5. 5Prevent the repeat: agree the Inventor release for the project, and stop team members migrating shared files without sign-off.

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What the file loses

  • • Feature history, sketches, parameters and iLogic rules do not survive a STEP or SAT export.
  • • Assembly constraints and joints are lost; components keep their positions only.
  • • iParts, iAssemblies and content-centre links become plain bodies.

Questions

Can Inventor save to an older version?

No. Inventor has no save-as-previous-version command. Use a STEP or SAT export, or recover a copy from OldVersions or the vault.

Which neutral format should I ask for?

STEP AP242 keeps solids and product structure and is read by every CAD system. SAT is fine when both sides use Autodesk ACIS-based tools.

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