How to convert old MiniCAD .mcd files

[Steve Dobb]

Hello there,

 

I have inherited a number of MiniCAD .mcd files, which I would like to view and (ideally) save to PDF.

 

I don't know what version of MiniCAD they were created with, but I think they were drawn in 2002.

 

When I try the latest Vectorworks viewer, it seems to recognise them, but then says that they are in too old a format.

 

Is there a tool available to convert old .mcd files to a later Vectorworks format?

 

is there a byte sequence or something in the file which will tell me which version it was created with?

 

I've read other similar posts on here but they are all from many years ago.

 

Thanks and Regards,

 

Steve.

 

 

[MullinRJ]

Hello Steve,

   How many files and how big? If it's not too many files I could convert them for you, assuming you are free to send them to me. 

 

   As to the byte sequences - YES - modern VW files have a header you can read with a text editor. Older MiniCAD files, not so much. I'm not sure when the header became human readable. My suggestion, open a file in a text editor and see if you can make anything out. If not, no harm done. Just don't save it with the text editor!

 

   If you'd like me to update your files, you can email me at  mullinrj AT aol.com. 

 

HTH,

Raymond

[Art V]

There is a tool to convert minicad files to VW 10.5 files, but that only works for minicad 5 and newer. Then you should be able to open them in your current VW version.

 

The converter can be found at: http://vectorworks.be/nl/support/downloads/software

 

Go all the way on the page until you see "Vectorworks oude bestanden omzetten"

The first link contains the version for Mac but only for OS9, so it won't work on OSX

The second one is for windows and should work up to and incl. on Win 10

[Steve Dobb]

Raymond - Thank you so much for your kind offer - I have sent you an email.

[Steve Dobb]

Art V - thank you for your suggestion.

 

I downloaded and installed the converter (Windows version).

 

It opens and displays the file OK - which is a major step forward - at least I now know that the files are valid and I can see what they contain.

 

But when I do 'Save-As', the only option is to save as a .mcd file, and when I try to open that saved file with the VectorWorks Viewer it still says it is too old.

 

Maybe I need to go back and find an older version of the Viewer?

[MullinRJ]

Hi Steve,

   You will need to contact Vectorworks Support for this file. It appears to be a MC 7 file, but it was created by a BETA version of the software and the file format is not the same as released versions. Unless you open it with the right beta version it is not readable. Hopefully the engineers in the Mother Ship can help you. 

 

   I tried to paste a picture of the warning but my file upload failed.

 

   You can send me another or all of the files and I can tell you if they are BETA files, or if they will open.

 

All the best,

Raymond

 

[MullinRJ]

Steve,

   Good news. On a whim I tried a later version of VW to see what would happen and VW 8.5.2 opened the file. In you email you ask if I can export as a DWG file. I can, but I may not pick the settings you'd like. That kind of translation is somewhat "personal" and is often done several times before it exports to your liking. What version of VW do you have? I was able to bring it up to VW 2018, but that won't do you any good if you don't have it. 

 

Making progress,

Raymond

 

PS - if you add a signature to your Forum Profile, and include your version of VW and your OS it will help others answer your questions more accurately.

[Jim Smith]

I've just add a Wish List Item on this topic. I think a Cloud based Mini Cad file conversion would be a helpful addition to service select. If you think so you may want to add your opine to the thread.

[Jean-Paul Delmon]

I just found an old file .mcd (minicad 7 I think) that I thought was lost forever and to which I want a lot (plan of my personal home - 1998!).

 

I would simply like to be able to view it with VectorWorks Viewer but can not find a converter to .vwx.

The converter proposed by Art V is no more on site and impossible to find an older version than Vectorworks Viewer 2015.

 

Is there any possibility?

 

Thank you in advance.

[Jean-Paul Delmon]

Finaly I succed to convert the file with VectorWorks 8.

Unfortunately the file discovered is not the lost one ...

Thank you.

[AndreaWok]

Hi all. 

I have the same problem, but worst!

I've 5 small files made with Minicad 4.

I can't find any program to translate it to newer formats.

Can someone help me?

 

Here are the files:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B3IGJKIh9ybzLXJrMFJHc3lFMWs?usp=sharing

 

Thanks to you all.

[MullinRJ]

Hi Andrea,

   You forgot to mention which version of VW you are currently using. Since the latest versions will open at least back to VW 2013, I saved your files in that format. If you need an earlier version, let me know.

 

MC4 to VW2013 Files.zip

 

All the best,

Raymond

[Ralph K.]

Dear Raymond,

Sorry that I ask you directly but I've the same problem as Andrea and I was already giving up...

Please! Would you be so kind and translate my minicad files to VW 2013 as well?

I'll will be always thanksfull for that!!!

 

My files:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fhr47776hu6phnk/AADjKvBB-C6fpHnkySfJ0CmMa?dl=0

[MullinRJ]

Hello Ralph,

   I sent you a private message.

 

Thank you,

Raymond

[lilianikolova]

Hello Raymond,

 

I have some old MiniCAD files from 1998. I need to convert them in DWG ideally but an VectorWorks format would work too. 

Can you please help me?

 

Here are my files : https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aj2jxP7fDoA7ny8b0qhMuxxagGvN?e=BdxemK

 

Thank you very much!

[MullinRJ]

Hello @lilianikolova ,

   Did you ever get these files converted? Apologies for the long delay, but I have been out of circulation for the last few months. I was able to convert your files today to VW 2021 format, but if you need them in an older version I can do that, too. I did not convert them to DWG because there are a lot of fonts in your files that I don't have on my machine. VW uses font substitution in such instances. I believe if you open the updated files on your machine then you would see the correct fonts, and your DWG conversion would look much cleaner.

 

   Please send me a PM with your email address and the version of VW you want. 

 

All the best,

Raymond

[Dana B]

I, too, have an ancient file from 2004 that I would LOVE to be able to view, if not edit. (It's a family tree, and as it happens, a distant relative just reached out.) I don't actually know if it's MiniCAD or VectorWorks -- I am guessing the latter? -- but if anyone is willing to help, I'd be delighted to have it in any format. I no longer have access to VW software. 

[michaelk]

@Dana B  You can just the file here.  There shouldn't be any problem opening up a 2004 document and making a pdf.  

[Dana B]

I've added the .mcd suffix, but in truth it might be .vwx -- huge thanks to anyone who can convert it into a PDF! 

Heller Family Tree.mcd

[michaelk]

Heller Family Tree v2021.pdf

[Dana B]

With my gratitude, sir!

[AndreaWok]

On 12/17/2019 at 11:51 AM, AndreaWok said:

Hi all. 

I have the same problem, but worst!

I've 5 small files made with Minicad 4.

I can't find any program to translate it to newer formats.

Can someone help me?

 

Here are the files:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B3IGJKIh9ybzLXJrMFJHc3lFMWs?usp=sharing

 

Thanks to you

Hi all again.

Last year a GREAT FRIEND translated my old minicad files into Vectorworks files, and so I was able to view them again.

Now, I'm giving them to a surveyor. OBVIOUSLY, he uses Autocad only.
I'm not a technician, and so I installed only the VW viewer, not the full program (that I cannot use).
Please, could someone open my 5 files and save them into DWG or DXF format?

 

Here are the files:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B3IGJKIh9ybzLXJrMFJHc3lFMWs?usp=sharing

 

 

THANKS A LOT, AGAIN, TO THIS GREAT COMMuNITY

[MullinRJ]

@AndreaWok ,

    I exported the VW2013 files to DWG, then saved the files in VW 2021 format, so you can view them in newer VW Viewer versions for years to come.

 

MINICAD 2 DWG & VW2021.zip

 

HTH,

Raymond

[Peteromara]

I have this old .mcd file created in April 2002. Tech support says I need viewer version 8 or older. Does anyone have ability to open and view this file or convert for me? https://drive.google.com/file/d/14BYv4qC3Xs4P8QRuxxbSoenIS4pY9AyH/view?usp=sharing

[PRPTodd]

Hello All 

I have a very old .mcd file I am hoping someone may be able to convert to a more current format for me. Ultimately I would like to be able to use the file moving forward as it's a floor plan with measurements, emergency exits, fire extinguishers etc. 

Can anyone out there convert it for me to a editable file of ANY type? I realize it's very old. 

 

THANK YOU FOR THE ASSISTANCE.