How to Recover Files in AutoCAD 2018?

Accessing the Drawing Recovery Manager in AutoCAD 2018

Recovering files that were not saved or were lost due to a system failure can be done through the Drawing Recovery Manager. To access this feature, follow these steps:

1. Open the Application Menu: Begin by clicking on the Application button located at the top left corner of the AutoCAD interface.

2. Find Drawing Utilities: From the dropdown menu, navigate to the Drawing Utilities option.

3. Open the Recovery Manager: Click on Open Drawing Recovery Manager. Here you will see a list of any drawings that can potentially be restored due to an unexpected exit or system crash under the Backup Files section.

Recovering Corrupted AutoCAD Files

If you find yourself with a corrupted DWG file, AutoCAD has a built-in tool to assist with repairs. Here’s how to use it:

1. Launch AutoCAD: Upon opening AutoCAD, go to the File menu.

2. Utilize the Recovery Tool: In the Tools column, select the AutoCAD icon. Then navigate to Drawing Utilities and choose Recover.

3. Choose the Corrupted File: A dialogue box will pop up prompting you to select the damaged DWG file you wish to recover.

4. Initiate Recovery Process: Once the file is selected, AutoCAD will begin the recovery process automatically. Allow the tool some time to complete the repairs.

5. Review Repaired File: After processing, double-check the content of the recovered file to ensure it is intact and functioning as expected.

Location of Autosave and Recovery Files

Knowing where AutoCAD stores autosave files is crucial for recovery. Here’s how to locate them:

1. Windows Users: Open the File Explorer and type %TEMP% in the address bar. This will take you to the temporary files folder, where you may find your autosave files.

2. For macOS Users: Navigate to the user’s folder and look in /Documents/Autodesk/Autosave to find the relevant files.

Accessing Recovery Files Directly

If you prefer a more direct method to access recovery files:

1. Open the File Menu: Start by clicking on File at the top of the AutoCAD window.

2. Navigate to Recovery Options: Select Drawing Recovery Manager from the ensuing menu options.

3. Alternative Command Method: You can also type DrawingRecovery at the command prompt within AutoCAD for immediate access to the recovery files list.

Understanding the Drawing Recovery Manager

The Drawing Recovery Manager is an essential tool that displays all the drawings that were open during an unexpected shutdown of AutoCAD. Through this interface:

1. Preview Files: You can click on each file to preview it.

2. Select for Recovery: Right-click or double-click the desired root file entry, and then choose Open All to retrieve the contents.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often does AutoCAD autosave my work?

AutoCAD typically performs autosaves at user-defined intervals. It is advisable to verify your settings by navigating to the options menu and adjusting the autosave time as necessary.

2. What should I do if recovery files are not listed?

If no files appear in the Drawing Recovery Manager, it may indicate that the software did not save the drawings before the failure. Regular backups and checking your autosave settings can help mitigate such issues.

3. Can I recover earlier versions of a drawing?

Yes, if you utilize versioning features offered by cloud services or third-party backups, you may be able to restore previous iterations of your drawing. Always consider implementing a version control strategy for significant projects.