TFP file-converter

[Kajvin - Robert W]

I don't know if it total impossible to make file-converter so you can use old file format before TFP 11.
If it can be done that had been great as many how use this program have old file is old format that is waste if you not have access to the old program.

/Robert

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Robert,

This was investigated thoroughly at the time V12 was released but the coding for the two programs was just too different to make it viable and, if I recall corrctly, an announcement was made that it would not be done. Walls, for example, were so dramatically different that it would be a huge job to try to make it work and the time/cost involved could not be justified.

Allan

[gelagirl]

Robban you might google for a file converter maybe.. I still wished we couldbecause v11 had so many cool daybeds an nice items that I miss in v 16

Uuhh... who's eating my letters today??

[Doug.S]

The main changes from FP v11 to newer TFP versions was internal structure and content of the file for program reasons (a bit of speculation here in layman terms); but not for objects that are not program controlled except for size, orientation and applied textures. As opposed to constructs like walls, roofs, stairs, windows, that are parametric and interface/connect to other native parametric objects....and are not exportable directly from FP as parametric entities.
i.e. typical interior and exterior objects that can import/export as .dxf  .obj  .3ds do not fall into that category as they were never parametric objects anyway.

It is just that when parametric constructs are exported and re-imported they lose their adjustment flexibility. For example you can export a room of walls, ceiling, floor etc. and re-import...but they will act as one item and walls will not move as usual and the program will see these as objects limited to size, orientation, location, and texture changes, but not "known" as "walls" in the usual sense as walls inserted by the wall tool.

So, the net of above is if you can export an object from ver 11 or earlier, you are very highly likely to import and use in newer versions....just like objects from www or other programs that meet the import file types.
So if you have a "daybed" or other than can export as a single object to .obj or .3ds; try it and expect success.

Conversion to file type .bld from any other previous file type is much more than internal text arrangement, header, and 3 character file extension name changes....and a big job even for coders/programmers who know the internal code for both versions....as well as quality testing to ensure success.