How To Change Backup In AutoCAD?

Changing Backup Files in AutoCAD

Backup files play a crucial role in protecting your work in AutoCAD. When you save your drawings, AutoCAD generates a backup file with a .bak extension. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to change these backup files effectively.

Steps to Rename a Backup File

1. Locate the Backup File: Navigate to the location of your .bak file using Windows Explorer or File Explorer. These files are typically stored in the same directory as your AutoCAD drawing files.

2. Rename the File: Right-click on the desired .bak file and select the “Rename” option from the context menu.

3. Change the Extension: Modify the file name by replacing the .bak extension with .dwg. For example, change “drawing.bak” to “drawing.dwg”.

4. Open the File: You can now open this newly renamed file in AutoCAD just like any regular drawing file. Use the “Open” command or the file menu.

Modifying the Backup Location

AutoCAD allows for customization of where backup files are stored. By default, backup files are saved in the same directory as your active drawings. If you wish to streamline this process, follow these instructions:

1. Access Command Line: Open AutoCAD and type MOVEBAK into the command line, then hit Enter.

2. Specify New Location: When prompted, enter the path to the new folder where you want all future .bak files to be stored.

3. Reset to Default: If at any point you want to revert to the default setting (which saves backup files in the same directory as the drawings), simply input a dot (“.”) in the command prompt.

Discovering Your Backup Files’ Location

To easily find where your AutoCAD backup files are saved, use the following approach:

1. Open Options Window: Type OP into the AutoCAD command line and press Enter.

2. Navigate to Files Tab: In the Options dialog, locate the “Files” tab.

3. Check Automatic Save File Location: Look for the entry labeled “Automatic Save File Location” to see the folder where AutoCAD stores your backup files.

Opening a .BAK File in AutoCAD

If you need to access a .bak file, adhere to these steps:

1. Copy the Backup File: Select the .bak file you want to open, and copy it to your desktop for convenience.

2. Rename the File: Change the file extension from .bak to .dwg.

3. Confirm the Change: A prompt will usually appear asking for confirmation regarding the change in file extension. Click “Yes” to proceed.

4. Open the Updated File: Finally, open this file in AutoCAD to access your drawing.

Recovering Unsaved Drawings

AutoCAD has a built-in feature for recovering unsaved changes through the Drawing Recovery Manager:

1. Open the Recovery Manager: Type DRAWRM or Drawing Recovery Manager in the command line.

2. View Available Files: Under the “Backup Files” section, you can find a list of files available for recovery.

3. Select and Open: Double-click on any file to open it. If the file is corrupt, AutoCAD will attempt to repair it automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does AutoCAD create a .bak file?
AutoCAD generates a .bak file to serve as a backup of the previous version when you save your current drawing. This ensures that you have a recovery option in case of accidental loss or corruption of your work.

2. How do I recover a lost AutoCAD drawing?
Utilize the Drawing Recovery Manager to find and open any available backup files. You can also save the recovered files back to your desired directory.

3. Can I change the file formats of my AutoCAD backups?
Yes, by renaming a .bak file to .dwg, you can convert it into a usable AutoCAD drawing file. Make sure to follow the proper steps for renaming to preserve data integrity.