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.
Although this is a really old thread it's quite fascinating and I wonder why it should have popped up this recently. I also wonder if changing the file extension from '.cdr' to '.cmx' might work? Unlikely, of course, but silly things like this do pique one's interest. I'm onside with this - I like puzzles. Given the fact that the windows operating system that lies under CorelDRAW is so far different to that of 13 years ago this could be a very fun project for a developer at Corel to solve, just to prove that they can. Doing something for the fun of it. Who'd have thunk of it. Imagine a little app that just makes old files readable. Very cute and a cool marketing device. It'll never make money but it may well make a lot of friends.
Haha yes I had realized that the thread was 13y old already! I don't care if it were 100y old!
I'm sorry, but I really don't understand your point. Why on earth would I need to open and re-save my thousands of drawings every now and then? Who the hell does that? Why do we have computers for if we have to do that silly work? "Neglected"?? REALLY???
Of course it is unreasonable for Corel not to support its own older versions! How difficult could it be to simply add all filters? All app developers have an obligation to their users to keep backward compatibility. This is basic.
Thanks for your offer to update my files, but meanwhile I did find a solution. I had an old PC version 7 of Corel and I installed it on a virtual machine running windows 10 on my MacBook. I have two Corel versions now, and if I want the old one I can simply right-click to select it.
So, all good. Except Corel and their lack of support!
Kudos! Buy that man a drink!
LOL! I remember on the old message boards we used to have a thread called the 'Pub' where we used to just share nonsense over a drink or two :o)
I'm glad that you worked out a solution, and that it is an easy one.
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree how far back a software company should support their products. Maybe because I work for a large computer company in tech support, I see things differently.
But I'm also running some vintage code at home. I still have an active PC with Windows 98SE running Corel V 10. I need that computer to run an old Alps MicroDry printer. I also have CDs for older Corel (down to V 3). The latest version of Corel I own is V 12 on a Windows 7 laptop.
Peteski