.PMFs from ArcMap 10.3 on ArcReader 10.2

[ModernElectric]

It seems like each time a new update comes out from ESRI, I have this question and usually the answer is no. However, I thought I would check again. I currently have ArcMap 10.2.2 installed on my workstation with ArcReader 10.2 on about 14 different workstations within my company. I am curious about upgrading my workstation to ArcMap 10.3 and ArcGIS PRO. The thing I need to know is if I do the upgrade and create a .PMF from ArcMap 10.3, will it work on ArcReader 10.2? In the past, a .PMF created by a newer ArcMap version will not work on an older version of ArcReader. Wanting to see if ESRI changed this with the new release of ArcMap 10.3. Any comments would be helpful in making my decision to upgrade my ArcMap.

Thank You

[MarkBockenhauer]

Christopher,

PMFs created with ArcGIS 10.3 will need to be opened with ArcReader 10.3

The geodatabase version upgraded for version 10.3,  so new code in ArcReader 10.3 is needed to read them, as well as other version updates throughout the system.

Mark

[ModernElectric]

Mark:

   Are there any "Work-Arounds" for this? In order for me to upgrade to ArcMap 10.3 and to continue making .PMFs, I have to manually upgrade over a dozen workstations/laptops to ArcReader 10.3. Is there a way I can still use ArcMap 10.3, while keeping ArcReader 10.2? If not, why isn't the code written to make ArcMap and ArcReader to be forward and backward compatible?

[MarkBockenhauer]

There is no workaround for this.   If you create PMFs with ArcGIS 10.3 you will need ArcReader 10.3 to read them.

ArcReader 10.3 can open PMFs that were created with earlier versions of ArcGIS, so it is backward compatible.  But as you are aware, ArcGIS Publisher cannot make PMFs that are compatible with older versions of ArcReader.

[SebastianLuhmer]

So, is ArcReader 10.3 available for download yet? At the ArcReader download page under ArcReader | Downloads , I just find ArcReader 10.2.2 and older.

[MarkBockenhauer]

The ArcReader 10.3 download has been posted.

ArcReader | Downloads

[MargaretGooding]

I have the same issues. We are running ArcGIS 10.3.1 and most of the folks using ArcReader have older versions. This should be an enhancement - you should be able to specify which version of ArcReader you want to publish to.