Answer:
Any version of AutoPIPE can and will open any DAT / APC file created by the program. However, there are essentially 3 rules for opening models in AutoPIPE. s:
Only open a model DAT / APC file created by the current version or higher(Example: if a model file was crated in AutoPIPE 2004 v. 8.6, that file can be safely opened in v8.6 or higher version (ex. V12.08).
DO NOT open a model created by a newer version in an older version without using the File> Save AS command in the new version.(Example: if using AutoPIPE Connect 12.06.00.048, do not directly open the file in any lower version lower than 12.06.
The correct procedure to open a model created by an higher version in a lower version;
a. First open the model without breaking rule 1.
b. Once opened, use File> Save As command> Select the version that will open the model (ex. AutoPIPE 09.5 Model (*.DAT)). This will automatically append “_V95” to the file name alerting you to the fact the file was correctly saved from a newer release of the program to an older file structure.
Note: AutoPIPE is a unique application in that it is backwards compatible to all previous versions of the program. Another words, one can use the File>Save-as command to save a model generated by the newest version into any previous version file format. Thus making AutoPIPE truly a unique application, very few modern application can say the same.
If Rule #2 was broken, when opening a model created by a newer version (ex.v09.04) in an older version (ex. v09.00) the following will appear:
---------------------------Confirm---------------------------Model was first created in : 09.00.00.05Model was last modified in : 09.04.01.05Current product version : 09.00.00.08
The model you are about to open was last modified in a newer version of the product and may not be compatible with the current version. You should contact Bentley`s technical support for compatibility information on this model before opening it. Saving or analyzing the model in the current version may result in the loss or corruption of the model data.
Do you want to continue with opening this model?---------------------------Yes No Cancel---------------------------
Selecting “Yes” button WILL corrupt the model the very moment the model is displayed on the screen. There is no fixing a corrupted model.
Selecting “No” button will close the model without opening (recommend)
Selecting “Cancel” button stops the open command.
Options: (choose an option below)
#1: Download and install the correct version of AutoPIPE required to open a given model as noted by message above (ex. 09.04.01.05 or higher).
#2: Some one with a version equal or higher than mentioned by message could open the model and use the File> Save As feature to save back to a version that you are able to open.
#3: Exception to Rule #3, a typically model can be opened by same family versions, (i.e same first 2 numbers), but still recommend using the File> Save-as command from the higher version. (Example: model was created in 9.1.1.5, not recommended, but can open with 9.1.1.2. The warning above will still appear but is acceptable.
Notes:
1. Again, once a file iAutoPIPE 09.5 Model (*.DAT)s corrupted, typically there is but one option to help repair it / recover as much information as possible, Round Trip the model using procedure here.