A SOLIDWORKS add-in that enables saving BACK into an older version (backwards compatibility)

BACKWORKS 2019 is finally available for download.

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XSYNC, our new SOLIDWORKS add-in.

XSYNC is an add-in that enables SOLIDWORKS to keep all selected exported files (STEP, DXF, PDF) synchronized.

Learn more about XSYNC

ABOUT BACKWORKS

BACKWORKS is a fully integrated SOLIDWORKS add-in that enables SOLIDWORKS to save files back into an older version (backwards compatibility).

Most Wanted Feature

Backwards compatibility of SOLIDWORKS files is a feature that has been requested for years.

Backwards compatibility enables saving 2019 files as 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 or older versions of SW.

SOLIDWORKS has recently taken steps towards this direction: A SOLIDWORKS 2016 file can be opened in SOLIDWORKS 2015 SP5, for example.

But up until now there has been no attempt to develop a software that allowed saving back into older versions of SOLIDWORKS.

What BACKWORKS Does

  • Enables Saving into an older version of SOLIDWORKS (e.g. Save 2019 file as 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014)
  • Convert files into a lower version of SW (e.g. Convert 2019 file to 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014)
  • Opening Future Version files in older versions of SOLIDWORKS (Open 2019 file in 2015 Version)

How it does it?

It adds in the SOLIDWORKS Save As menu the option Save As -> SOLIDWORKS “older version” (e.g. 2015), and stores the data as a .bkwprt (BACKWORKS Part Document).

On the receiving end of the file exchange, at the Open menu, it adds the option Open a .bkwprt file.

The procedure is as simple as that:

  1. File -> Save As -> SOLIDWORKS 2014(.bkwprt) (at some version 2016 - 2014)
  2. File -> Open -> filename.bkwprt (at an older version)

The BACKWORKS add-in needs to be installed in both versions of SOLIDWORKS

FEATURES

Check out the list below to see exactly which SOLIDWORKS features are supported in BACKWORKS 2019.

Current Status

For the time being, BACKWORKS enables saving only Part documents into up to 7 versions back (up to SOLIDWORKS 2012) only in 64-bit Windows Vista, 7 and 10 systems.

BACKWORKS 2019 supports more than 90% of all SOLIDWORKS features.

We also undertake incorporating features on demand, according to the customer’s particular preferences. Learn more about Custom Software Development.

Future Goals

  • Improving the reliability of the software
  • Adding more Features to fit your needs and personal designing style
  • Supporting SOLIDWORKS Assembly and Drawing Documents

Supported Features

  • Extrude
  • Revolve
  • Sweep
  • Loft
  • Boundary
  • Extrude
  • Revolve
  • Sweep
  • Loft
  • Boundary Cut
  • Fillet/Round
  • Chamfer
  • Hole wizard
  • Simple
  • Draft
  • Shell
  • Rib
  • Scale
  • Wrap
  • Split
  • Delete/Keep body
  • Cosmetic Thread
  • Dome
  • Indent
  • Sweep Thread
  • Intersect
  • Solid Sweep
  • Imported
  • Linear Pattern
  • Circular Pattern
  • Mirror
  • Sketch Driven Pattern
  • Curve Driven Pattern
  • Fill Pattern
  • Delete
  • Move
  • Replace face
  • Projected
  • Composite
  • Helix/Spiral
  • Curve Through Reference Points
  • Plane
  • Axis
  • Point
  • Center of Mass
  • Coordinate System
  • Base Flange
  • Edge Flange
  • Miter Flange
  • Hem
  • Jog
  • Sketched Bend
  • Unfold
  • Fold
  • Lofted Bends
  • Closed Corner
  • Corner_Relief
  • WeldBead
  • Rip
  • Swept Flange
  • Break Corner
  • Corner Trim
  • Line
  • Arc
  • Ellipse
  • Parabola
  • Spline
  • Sketch Text
  • Structural Member
  • Gusset
  • EndCap
  • Trim/Extend
  • Lofted Surface
  • Fill Surface
  • Offset Surface
  • Radiate Surface
  • Revolved Surface
  • Knit Surface
  • Trim Surface
  • UnTrim Surface
  • Planar Surface
  • Thicken
  • Extruded Surface
  • Swept Surface
  • Extend Surface
  • Thickened Cut



Videos

OUR TEAM

The team behind BACKWORKS

From Engineers to Engineers

Our team consists of Engineers and Developers working in the field of 3D modeling.

Being ourselves Mechanical Engineers we came across the problem of SOLIDWORKS backwards compatibility and decided to finally do something about it.

BACKWORKS is the result of our honest efforts in the past 3 years - the small, but growing team behind BACKWORKS has been working intensively on developing this software, while maintaining full-time jobs and families.

We kindly ask for your Feedback

We sincerely hope that you find BACKWORKS useful and applicable to your company or personal workplace. We are looking forward to receiving your comments and suggestions, so do not hesitate to contact us.

SUPPORT US

Please support us if you think BACKWORKS is on the right track solving the problem of SOLIDWORKS backwards compatibility

1

Spread the word

If you found BACKWORKS helpful, why not recommend it to your friends, colleagues or blog followers. There are many ways you can help our cause:

  1. Follow us on
  2. Share the installation link on your blog or on social networks.
  3. Discuss the benefits of installing BACKWORKS at your company or workplace.
2

Report bugs

You may encounter a situation that is new to us; therefore we rely on your bug report in order to fix the issue.

Please be sure to include all of the necessary information needed to reproduce the issue, (i.e the error log) and even better, the failed file.

Additionally, please be on the lookout for any follow-up questions we may have.

3

Bring in suggestions

There is always something that can be improved, so feel free to share your ideas with us. Your suggestions and constructive criticism are valuable

Last but not least, we encourage you to send us your feedback concerning which exact features (that suit your needs and personal CAD designing style) you would like to be included in a future version.

CONTACT

You can contact us if you have any questions or suggestions.

Address

BACKWORKS Ltd
Computer software

Bulgaria, Petrich, 2850, 14 Tsar Boris III Str., Fl.1

+35 9876590945

info@backworks.info, support@backworks.info

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