openroads designer dgn save to lower version

You can only use the files created in the latest version as 'Read only' in older versions. This is working as designed.

EDIT: I realize this sounds rather blunt, but I am simply stating the fact. I understand all the issues being raised, but as I am not involved in any way with the development of ORD, I can only say that they should be raised as Service Tickets etc. 

That may be "as designed" but it's not "as desired" or even "as productive". This is actually a significant problem, and will definitely impact collaboration between companies. Lack of backward compatibility is a serious problem!

Some companies may have restrictive IT update policies and may be one or two versions back until the most recent one can be thoroughly vetted. Some companies may not have a dedicated IT/CAD manager to stay up on all the updates. Some companies are nimble and will grab the newest version the day it comes out. Institutions (like DOTs) could take years to approve a new version. If the newer design software is incompatible with the older packages, none of these companies can work together.

As an offshoot of this, companies may settle on whatever version is used by their largest client, and refuse to update their software. Commercially, they can't afford to! As buggy as the ORD rollout has been, that means a lot of people will be left using substandard software because the new version can't be used with older software.

At least with AutoCAD, there is the option to deprecate a drawing!

That may be "as designed" but it's not "as desired" or even "as productive". This is actually a significant problem, and will definitely impact collaboration between companies. Lack of backward compatibility is a serious problem!

Some companies may have restrictive IT update policies and may be one or two versions back until the most recent one can be thoroughly vetted. Some companies may not have a dedicated IT/CAD manager to stay up on all the updates. Some companies are nimble and will grab the newest version the day it comes out. Institutions (like DOTs) could take years to approve a new version. If the newer design software is incompatible with the older packages, none of these companies can work together.

As an offshoot of this, companies may settle on whatever version is used by their largest client, and refuse to update their software. Commercially, they can't afford to! As buggy as the ORD rollout has been, that means a lot of people will be left using substandard software because the new version can't be used with older software.

At least with AutoCAD, there is the option to deprecate a drawing!