So I have a chance to buy an FBX 2016 file I really want, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to convert it into something XChange could use.

Any ideas?  I could load it into Substance Designer, I suppose, but I don't think I can export an actual file out of there.  I don't want to buy something just for this one file, but there's nothing free out there I can find that could do this.

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Alienware Aurora R12, Win 10, i9-119000KF, 3.5GHz CPU, 128GB RAM, RTX 3090 (24GB), Samsung 960 Pro 4TB M-2 SSD, TB+ Disk space
Mike "ex-genius" Kelley

If 3DX cannot open it, run it through Blender. Blender exports FBX 7.2, but has been able to read whatever FBX I've thrown at it.

I don't know that Blender can open such a file -- the best I can find is that Blender only supports 2014 as well.  I hate to buy this file and find out I can't read it.

But I'm exploring other options as well (one possibility is the trial version of Maya 2016 LT).

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Alienware Aurora R12, Win 10, i9-119000KF, 3.5GHz CPU, 128GB RAM, RTX 3090 (24GB), Samsung 960 Pro 4TB M-2 SSD, TB+ Disk space
Mike "ex-genius" Kelley

If I understand you correctly you don't have the file yet but you are assuming you won't be able to open it with 3dXchange, Blender, Daz3d, etc.. ?

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guy rabiller | GOETZIWOOD STUDIOS
"N.O.E." (Nations Of Earth) Sci-Fi TV Show, Showrunner.

Right, I don't want to take the chance on the file being worthless to me (although I might anyway -- life is short :>.

I'm going to first try the trial of Maya LT and see if it will import/export such a file or if the restrictions on a trial prevent that.  This is strictly a one-shot affair so I'm hoping that will be the solution (although does anyone else think that perhaps XChange ought to support a more recent version of FBX?)

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Alienware Aurora R12, Win 10, i9-119000KF, 3.5GHz CPU, 128GB RAM, RTX 3090 (24GB), Samsung 960 Pro 4TB M-2 SSD, TB+ Disk space
Mike "ex-genius" Kelley

It's pretty likely it will work just fine in 3DX. You can also run it through the Autodesk FBX Converter, and choose from many different versions.

The only Autodesk converter I found will only load pre-2015 formats (if you know another I'd appreciate a link).

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Alienware Aurora R12, Win 10, i9-119000KF, 3.5GHz CPU, 128GB RAM, RTX 3090 (24GB), Samsung 960 Pro 4TB M-2 SSD, TB+ Disk space
Mike "ex-genius" Kelley

The only FBX files I've not been able to open with 3DX are the recent Autodesk ones. So 2017 or 18. It is probably by 3DX or Blender just fine. As you say, "life is short". If it's not expensive, go for it!

I don't know of a newer converter.

This is an interesting case of tunnel vision
You are so focused on the FBX "2016" number version that you have managed to convince yourself the file won't open in 3DXchange nor Blender nor .. even without having tried.
As you said, life is short, if that file is what you need then get it, then solve the import issue, IF ANY

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guy rabiller | GOETZIWOOD STUDIOS
"N.O.E." (Nations Of Earth) Sci-Fi TV Show, Showrunner.

Life is short but so is money <g>.

But I think the Maya thing will solve any problems (but as to XChange being "okay" for this -- maybe, but I've found quite a few variations on FBX that XChange will NOT open (during my testing of Daz imports and trying to get some stuff into XChange that wasn't go in properly XChange spit up on at least three newer versions than 2014 -- so I don't have Rampa's confidence in it.  Now, these were older XChange, still 7, but 7.0 perhaps, so maybe they have improved things).

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Alienware Aurora R12, Win 10, i9-119000KF, 3.5GHz CPU, 128GB RAM, RTX 3090 (24GB), Samsung 960 Pro 4TB M-2 SSD, TB+ Disk space
Mike "ex-genius" Kelley