Many people are hesitant to make the jump to the latest version of AutoCAD because they are still working with clients using AutoCAD 14, and need a way to save drawings back to that version. While there is no direct way to save back to R14 within the software, Autodesk has provided the Batch Drawing Converter, allowing users to convert drawings between any version of AutoCAD from R14 to 2005.

The Batch Drawing Converter is a program that works outside of AutoCAD with the ability to convert between R14, 2000, and 2004 format drawings. It gets installed under the Start button->Programs->Autodesk->Migration Tools->Batch Drawing Converter.

To convert a set of drawings, simply click the Add button, browse to the location of the files, and select the files you wish to convert. You will then see them in the list of files in the Batch Drawing Converter. You can save the list, open a previously saved list, or append a previously saved list of drawings. Finally, choose the format you wish to convert to, and click Convert.

Note the big caution symbol at the top of the dialog box. "Converted drawings will replace the originals." If you want to save the original files and maintain their integrity, you must first copy the files you want to convert to a different directory. Otherwise, it will overwrite the originals. It is recommended to work with a copy of the originals, even if you don't mind the originals being converted to R14. The Batch Drawing Converter is not perfect, and in rare instances has been known to cause problems in the conversion. For example, we have seen cases where text is simply gone from a converted drawing for no apparent reason. A quick spot check of the converted drawing may be in order to make sure nothing is lost.

The Batch Drawing Converter will convert the drawing entities that are not native to R14 like fields, tables, Land Desktop points and contours, and Architectural Desktop walls, doors, and windows to proxy entities. The person opening the drawing in R14 needs to have the PROXYGRAPHICS system variable set to 1 in order to view these objects. If you don't want to worry about proxy graphics, first explode everything in the drawing into regular lines and text, and perform the conversion on the exploded file. AutoCAD 14 does not understand multiple layouts, so all layout tabs except the first one will be lost.

The Batch Drawing Converter is not your only option to save a file compatible with R14. You also have the option to save as an R12/R12 LT dxf which can be imported into R14. That option is available under the regular File->Save As dialog. The other option is a 2 step process requiring a version of AutoCAD 2000, 2000i, or 2002. Simply save the drawing back to the 2000 dwg format from AutoCAD 2005/2004, open it in AutoCAD 2000-2002, and do a Save As R14 from there. See Saving 2005/2004 drawings back to 2000 for more information on the issues regarding conversion to the 2000 drawing format. While it is certainly possible to go back and forth between R14 and 2005/2004, it is best to avoid frequently going back and forth between different drawing formats. However, as a one time deal, saving back to R14 is still an available option.