generating a .vo file without the fitter

While that (fitter required) does seem to be the case, the quartus handbook explicitly states (from just before my post):

"If you want to generate a post-synthesis simulation netlist with just the cell delays,

you can generate an .sdo file without running the fitter. In this case, the .sdo file

includes all timing values for only the device cells. Interconnect delays are not

included because fitting (placement and routing) has not been performed. To generate

the post-synthesis netlist and the .sdo file, type the following commands at a

command prompt:"

It wouldn't be the first time that some documentation was wrong...........