How To Recover Lost Work In AutoCAD?

Finding AutoCAD Recovery Files

To locate recovery files in AutoCAD, access the Options dialog box. In Windows, navigate to the Files tab and check under the Automatic Save File Location to identify where autosave files are stored. Alternatively, you can use the SYSTEM variable SAVEFILEPATH. For Mac users, this information is found under the Application tab in the Preferences menu.

Using the Autosave Feature

AutoCAD comes equipped with a built-in Autosave feature designed to help prevent data loss. By default, this feature saves your work automatically at specified intervals. Users can customize this setting to enhance their workflow by ensuring that important changes are documented without needing to remember to save constantly.

Recovering a BAK File

If you need to recover a BAK file in AutoCAD, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and locate the .bak file that you want to recover.
2. Right-click the file and select the “Rename” option.
3. Change the file extension from .bak to .dwg.
4. Open the newly renamed DWG file in AutoCAD.

Converting Autosave Files to DWG

To recover work from an Autosave file, locate the most recent .sv$ file that corresponds with your drawing. Follow these steps:

1. Change the file extension of the .sv$ file to .dwg.
2. Open the converted DWG file as you would any standard drawing.
3. Save it to your desired location for future access.

Setting Up Autosave in AutoCAD

To configure the Autosave feature in AutoCAD, do the following:

1. Right-click in the drawing area and select “Options.”
2. Navigate to the “Open and Save” tab.
3. Under the File Safety Precautions section, ensure the “Automatic Save” checkbox is checked.
4. Specify your preferred interval for saves in the “Minutes Between Saves” field.

Accessing the Recovery Manager

To access the AutoCAD Recovery Manager for file restoration:

1. Hover over the down arrow in the AutoCAD menu to find Recovery options.
2. For AutoCAD LT, simply type “DRAWINGRECOVERY” in the Command prompt.
3. Once in the Recovery Manager, you can view and open each available drawing or backup file to choose which to save as the recovered DWG file.

Repairing Corrupted DWG Files

Should you encounter a corrupted DWG file, follow these steps to attempt recovery:

1. Open AutoCAD and load the damaged DWG file.
2. Navigate to the Tools column and select “Drawing Utilities.”
3. Click on “Recover” to initiate the repair process.
4. After the process completes, check the repaired CAD file for any recoverable data.

Changing BAK File Extensions

If you need to change the extension of a BAK file, proceed as follows:

1. Right-click the Windows “Start” button to open File Explorer.
2. Select “Tools” from the menu, then “Folder Options.”
3. In the View tab, uncheck “Hide Extensions for Known File Types.”
4. Find the BAK file you wish to change and right-click it to rename its extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does AutoCAD autosave my work?

The Autosave feature can be configured to save your progress automatically at intervals you set, typically ranging from 1 minute to several minutes depending on your preference.

Can I retrieve a lost drawing if AutoCAD crashes?

Yes, if AutoCAD crashes, any previously autosaved files or backup files should be recoverable from the Recovery Manager or through the autosave file directory.

What should I do if the AutoCAD Recovery Manager does not show my file?

If the Recovery Manager does not display your file, you can check the folders where AutoCAD stores backup or autosave files manually, as they may not appear in the manager. Ensure that you have the correct settings configured to display hidden files.