[Tools] Visio .NET Enterprise Architect Edition conflicts with Visio 2003 Professional

Courtesy of a kbAlertz RSS feed, I just discovered this alert: "This file cannot be opened because it was created with a newer or unrecognized version of Visio" error message when you try to open a Visio drawing by using Visual Studio .NET.

I ran into this one just the other day, when I wanted to use Pavel Hruby's fine new Visio Stencil and Template for UML 2.0. I had to install Visio 2003 Professional, which is now part of the Microsoft Office Suite, apparently. That enabled me to load the stencils and then I could export them to the format expected by the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Architect Edition. This was a very tacky solution but it worked. Lo and behold! Now, it is the official Microsoft answer. I wish I had seen this alert before I had to think it out for myself!

The actual Microsoft home location for this notice is here: Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 870571.

BTW, the RSS feeds at kbAlertz are very helpful and I highly recommend them. See HOWTO: Access RSS feeds for kbAlerts.com? for details (free registration required).