I have a couple of 15-year-old CDR files that I need to edit/update, but CorelDraw 12 won't open them -- just gives me an error message saying that they were created with CorelDraw version 1 or 2, and it can't open them. Does anyone know a way I can update the format of these files so that I can edit them with recent versions of CorelDraw? Before you ask, I no longer have any version of CorelDraw older than version 12.
try saving as pdf and then import the pdf, maybe. I have the older programs loaded just for this pit fall.
You can’t save as pdf if you can’t open the file in the first place. That’s the problem; nothing will open really old cdr files, and Corel doesn’t seem to care. I’ve been waiting for a solution for nearly 30 years, and have nothing to show for it other than Corel’s refusal to help because I’m not subscribed to a support program.
to open those old files, you might need to load a "virtual OS" such as WIn XP (or Win 95/98) and install an old version of Draw under those OS.
For example I have version 12 through 2020 on a system, but 12 and X3 are under a virtual version of Win XP using this