How to Use Drawing Recovery Manager in AutoCAD?

Opening the Drawing Recovery Manager

To initiate the Drawing Recovery Manager in AutoCAD, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the File menu and select Drawing Recovery Manager from the dropdown options.
2. Alternatively, access the Application Menu, go to Manage, and then choose Drawing Recovery Manager.
3. For those who prefer command line usage, simply type DrawingRecovery at the command prompt and hit Enter.

Upon accessing the Drawing Recovery Manager, you’ll see a list of available drawing files that can be recovered following an unexpected closure of the program or a system failure.

Accessing Recovery Options in AutoCAD 2025

For users of AutoCAD 2025, the process is slightly modified:

1. Click on the Application button located at the top-left corner of the interface.
2. Find and select Drawing Utilities, then choose Open Drawing Recovery Manager.
3. Here, you will find all the drawings that are eligible for restoration under Backup Files, allowing you to recover any unsaved work.

Closing the Drawing Recovery Manager

To exit the Drawing Recovery Manager once you’ve completed your recovery tasks:

1. Make sure the Drawing Recovery Manager is open.
2. You can either restore a drawing and save it, or:
3. Right-click on the drawing entry in the list and select Remove to discard it from the recovery manager.

Opening the Recovery Dialog Box

If you need to open the Recovery dialog box:

1. Head to the File menu, select Drawing Utilities, and then choose Recover.
2. A standard file selection dialog will appear; here, locate the damaged or corrupt drawing you wish to recover.

Steps to Recover AutoCAD Files

To recover saved files from the Drawing Recovery Manager:

1. Open the Drawing Recovery Manager.
2. Locate the section labeled Backup Files. Double-click on the desired drawing node to reveal all available drawing files and their backups.
3. Double-click on the intended file to open it. If the file is damaged, AutoCAD will attempt to repair it automatically.

Opening a Backup File in AutoCAD

To utilize a backup file identified by the .bak extension, do the following:

1. Open Windows Explorer or File Explorer, then find the backup file.
2. Right-click on the backup file and choose Rename.
3. Change the file extension from .bak to .dwg, and then press Enter.
4. Open this renamed file in AutoCAD just like you would with any other drawing file.

Understanding Recovery Files’ Location

AutoCAD typically saves autosave and recovery files in the Windows %temp% directory by default. However, users have the option to change this location:

1. Open the OPTIONS dialog in AutoCAD.
2. Go to the FILES tab to adjust the path for saving autosave files according to your preference.
3. Keep in mind that these files are automatically deleted upon a normal exit of AutoCAD.

Converting File Extensions

If you are required to convert a file from .SV$ to .DWG, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that file extensions are visible in Windows Explorer.
2. Locate the .SV$ file and right-click it.
3. Select Rename and change the extension to .DWG.
4. This converted file can now be opened in AutoCAD.

Automatic Save Feature in AutoCAD

AutoCAD includes an autosave feature that automatically saves work at predetermined intervals. This feature helps safeguard against data loss due to software crashes or power outages, reinforcing your workflow’s reliability.

Recovering Unsaved Files in AutoCAD 2025

To retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files in version 2025:

1. Open the Temp folder by entering %tmp% into the Start menu search.
2. Look for files with the same name as your project, including a timestamp and the .SV$ extension.
3. Rename the .SV$ file to .DWG.
4. Finally, open this file within AutoCAD.

What is the Drawing Recovery Manager?

The Drawing Recovery Manager is a vital utility in AutoCAD that presents a list of drawing files actively open during an unexpected crash or system failure. This tool provides users with the ability to preview and restore each drawing or backup file, allowing for effective data recovery.

FAQ

How can I prevent the loss of my drawings in AutoCAD?

Adopting best practices such as frequently saving your work, enabling the autosave feature, and making backups can significantly reduce the risk of losing drawings.

Are there any files that cannot be recovered using the Drawing Recovery Manager?

Yes, certain types of files may not be recoverable, especially if they were not saved prior to the crash or if they were fundamentally corrupted beyond repair.

What should I do if the Drawing Recovery Manager doesn’t show any files?

If you don’t see any recoverable files, consider checking your autosave settings to ensure they are enabled, or look in the specified autosave directory for temporary files manually.