How to Open Recovery Manager in AutoCAD?

Accessing the Drawing Recovery Manager in AutoCAD

The Drawing Recovery Manager in AutoCAD serves as a crucial utility for restoring lost or corrupted drawings. Users can leverage this feature to recover work from unexpected crashes or system issues. Here’s how to access it effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide to Open the Drawing Recovery Manager

1. Application Menu Access:

   • Start by clicking on the Application button located in the top-left corner of the AutoCAD window.
   • From the dropdown menu, navigate to Drawing Utilities.
   • Click on Open Drawing Recovery Manager. This will display a list of available backup files that can be restored if you experienced an unexpected shut down.

2. Using the Command Prompt:

   • Alternatively, you can access the Drawing Recovery Manager by typing DrawingRecovery into the command prompt within AutoCAD.
   • Press Enter, and the Drawing Recovery Manager window will appear, showing any recoverable drawings.
3. Navigating the Interface:
   • Once the Drawing Recovery Manager is opened, look for your desired drawing under Backup Files.
   • You can select a specific drawing node and either double-click to open it or right-click and choose Open All to recover all related files.

Recovering Damaged Files

If you have a specific file you need to recover, follow these steps:

1. File Menu Navigation:

   • Click on File in the top menu.
   • Then choose Drawing Utilities, followed by Recover.

2. Select the Corrupted File:

   • A dialog box will pop up where you can search for the file that may be damaged.
   • You can either type in the name of the file or navigate through the directory to select it.
3. Opening the File:
   • Once selected, click Open to begin the recovery process. AutoCAD will attempt to repair the file as it opens.

Accessing Backup Files

To work with backup files, follow this process:

1. Locate the Backup File:

   • Open Windows Explorer and find the file with a .bak extension, which indicates it is a backup.

2. Rename the Backup File:

   • Right-click on the .bak file and select Rename.
   • Change the extension from .bak to .dwg.
3. Open the Renamed File in AutoCAD:
   • Launch AutoCAD and open the renamed file using the standard file-open method.

Closing the Drawing Recovery Manager

To properly close the Drawing Recovery Manager after recovering your files:

1. Open the Recovery Manager (if not already open).
2. Choose one of the following options:
   • Restore and Save: If you want to keep the drawing, ensure to save your work after recovery.
   • Remove Files: You can right-click on any drawing node within the recovery manager and choose Remove to clear it from the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my AutoCAD drawing is missing?
Check the directory where your files are saved for any .bak files that correspond to your lost drawings. You can rename these files with a .dwg extension to open and recover your work.

Can AutoCAD recover files from a crash?
Yes, using the Drawing Recovery Manager, AutoCAD lists any autosaved drawings from prior to the crash. Simply follow the steps to access this feature under the Application menu.

Where can I find autosave files created by AutoCAD?
By default, AutoCAD saves autosave files in a temporary folder on your local PC, which is usually located in the Windows %temp% directory. You can access and change this location in the OPTIONS menu under the FILES tab.