You cannot open an AutoCAD 2004 .dwg file or a later version of an AutoCAD .dwg file in Visio 2003 (896659)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Visio Professional 2003
  • Microsoft Office Visio Standard 2003

SYMPTOMS

When you try to open an AutoCAD 2004 .dwg file or a later version of an AutoCAD .dwg file in Microsoft Office Visio 2003, the file does not open. Additionally, you receive the following error message:
Cannot open file. The file may be a DWG or DXF file, it may not be in a supported version of the DWG file format, or it may be corrupted. Check the file and try again.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because Visio 2003 cannot open the newer .dwg file format that is used by AutoCAD 2004 and later versions.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Open the .dwg file in AutoCAD 2004 or a later version.
  2. Save the file as an AutoCAD 2002 .dwg file.
  3. Open the AutoCAD 2002 .dwg file in Visio 2003.
Note Visio 2003 can only open AutoCAD 2002 .dwg files or earlier versions of AutoCAD .dwg files.

MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:3/31/2005
Keywords:kbconvert kbopenfile kbtshoot kbprb KB896659 kbAudEndUser
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