How to open old Artcam files (.art) in Artcam 2017
If you are Artcam user and you already switch to Artcam 2017 they, you already meet with old files opening problem. In this port you’ll learn how you can open old Artcam files.
After owning by Autodesk they made changes in software and in License. Under Autodesk 2 versions Artcam 2015 and Artcam 2017 realized. Currently, I’m using Artcam 2017 and probably you meet with same errors that I meet. When you’re trying to open old Artcam files .art you can meet with following errors.
A dongle is required to open this file.
Invalid ArtCAM file. Some or all data may have been lost
Of course, after these errors file not opening.
After some fails on the way to open old file it tries to search for an answer and find on Autodesk website that it’s impossible to open old .art files in Artcam 2017. Artcam developers not planning, develop migration tool. Of course, you can hire some programmer to write for you some small software to solve this problem.
Well if no migration tool how to open old Artcam files in Artcam 2017.
The only way to open old file in latest version of Artcam is to do it through Artcam 2015. In attachment you'll find small software. Artcam 2015 file converter.
File that saved in version from 2008 to 2013 SP1 can be opened in Artcam 2015. So all you need to do is open old files in 2015 then resave them. After that you’ll able to open them In Artcam 2017.
How to migrate files?
Well if you can’t open .art model then you can export your 2D drawing into DXF format and then import it into new Artcam. This is useful if your drawing exist only Artcam or you nest all vectors and don’t want to spend time on new files. But you’ll need to create toolpath again.
Migrating 3D mesh files
Even its impossible to open old .art files in new Artcam but still you can import .3dp files without converting.
All you need to do is export mesh from assembling in project panel. After exporting import into Artcam 2017
Big minus here is you can export only Mesh.
Save into STL
Well if your art in Artcam not in mesh then you can choose this way. You can save your 3D relief into STL format and then import it into Artcam 2017. STL format is a universal format that allows users use this format for much different software. STL format can be used in cam software like Artcam and other or in 3D printing software.
All you need to do is go to Relief -> Save STL model.
Then you can import your Stl model into new Artcam.
