CAD tip # 6439:

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Forcing DWG format version for save in AutoCAD.

AutoCAD allows to save DWG drawing files also in older versions of the DWG format. This setting for the DWG format can be done in the Options dialog, on the "Open and Save" tab.

With the following less-known trick you can force an older save format also from a menu macro, from a LISP utility or through a site-wide setting in the Registry (e.g. using GPO, logon script, etc.).

The default save format in AutoCAD is controlled by the environment variable "DefaultFormatForSave". This value is stored in the Registry - e.g.:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R17.2\ACAD-7001:409\Profiles\<< Unnamed profile >>\General

and you can set it with the function (setenv).

This variable can be set to the following values:

64 - AutoCAD 2018 DWG format
60 - AutoCAD 2013 DWG format
48 - AutoCAD 2010 DWG format
36 - AutoCAD 2007 DWG format
24 - AutoCAD 2004 DWG format
12 - AutoCAD 2000 DWG format

So e.g. the function (setenv "DefaultFormatForSave" "24") will set the default save format in AutoCAD 2009 to DWG2004. In AutoCAD LT, use the _SETENV command.

Other possible values for DefaultFormatForSave are e.g. 1=R12 DXF, 13=2000 DXF, 49=2010 DXF, 50=2010 DWT, 61=2013 DXF, 62=2013 DWT, 65=2018 DXF, 66=2018 DWT

Alternatively, you can preset the Save/SaveAs format using the following LISP code (format codes see above):

(vl-load-com)
(setq acadobj (vla-get-application (vlax-get-acad-object))
      acadoptions (vla-get-preferences acadobj)
      acadopensave (vla-get-opensave acadoptions)
      acadsaveastype (vla-get-saveastype acadopensave)
)
(vla-put-saveastype acadopensave 60)

Note: these settings do not apply to DWG export commands, e.g. EXPORTTOAUTOCAD, EXPORTC3DDRAWING, etc. - these have to be setup directly in their options, e.g.:

ACAD2022ACAD2018ACAD2008ACAD2007ACLTADTCivil

Win,MacOSCAD

17.12.2008 38058×

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applies to: AutoCAD 2022 · AutoCAD 2018 · AutoCAD 2008 · AutoCAD 2007 · AutoCAD LT · AutoCAD Architecture · Civil 3D ·

See also:
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Tip 14347:	PDFIMPORT - No objects were imported.
Tip 13868:	XrefStamp - create a dynamic list of xrefs in your DWG drawing.
Tip 13513:	How to quickly record a video from a CAD application or other Windows program? (replacing Screencast)
Tip 12663:	How to transfer my project from Infraworks to Revit?

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