Why do I get the error "SDF files require Altera primitive library" when I try to load my design in ModelSim?

Description

You get this message if you compile your <project name>.v file and apply the <project name>.sdo file without compiling the <project name>.vo netlist in your design.

The <project name>.v file used for compilation in the Quartus^® II or MAX PLUS^® II software is the register transfer level (RTL) code. The <project name>.vo file is the netlist created by the software. The <project name>.sdo file requires that the <project name>.vo netlist is compiled in the project because the <project name>.vo file instantiates the primitives needed for the timing simulation.