How to Recover Unsaved Drawing in AutoCAD?

Understanding AutoCAD Autosave Files

When working in AutoCAD, instances may arise where you forget to save your progress, or unexpected closures occur. To mitigate risks like data loss, AutoCAD features an autosave mechanism that generates backup files at designated intervals. Identifying the location of these autosave files is the first step in recovering unsaved drawings.

Locating Autosave Files on Windows

For Windows users, the path to autosave files can be easily accessed through the application. Here’s how to find it:

1. Open AutoCAD and navigate to the Options panel.
2. Click on the Files tab.
3. Look for the Automatic Save File Location entry. This folder will guide you to where the autosave files are stored.

Locating Autosave Files on Mac OS

If you’re using Mac OS, follow these steps:

1. Launch AutoCAD and head to the Application menu.
2. Select Preferences.
3. Find the relevant autosave location under the settings provided.

Recovering Unsaved Drawings in AutoCAD 2025

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to recover an unsaved drawing in AutoCAD 2025, follow these steps:

1. Open the Options dialog from the AutoCAD interface.
2. Go to the Files tab and find the Automatic Save File Location.
3. Navigate to that directory using Windows Explorer or Finder (for Mac users).
4. Look for files with extensions like .sv$ or .bak.
5. To convert a .bak file, right-click on the file and select Rename. Change the extension to .dwg.
6. Open the newly renamed file with AutoCAD.

Using the Drawing Recovery Manager

AutoCAD also includes a Drawing Recovery Manager that can help you find unsaved drawings:

1. Start AutoCAD and look for the Drawing Recovery Manager in the application.
2. Under the Backup Files section, you can browse through available drawing and backup files.
3. Double-click on any file to open it. In cases where a file is corrupted, AutoCAD will attempt to repair it automatically.

Converting Autosave Files

In instances where you need to convert an autosave file, follow these steps:

1. Locate the most recent .sv$ file that corresponds to your project.
2. Right-click on the file and select Rename.
3. Change the file extension from .sv$ to .dwg.
4. Open the newly converted DWG file within AutoCAD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I can’t find the autosave files?

If the autosave files are not in the expected location, ensure that you have the correct settings configured in the Options dialog. Additionally, check system settings to make sure the folders are visible in your file explorer.

Can I prevent AutoCAD from autosaving?

Yes, you can adjust autosave settings in the Options dialog under the Open and Save tab by unchecking the Automatic save checkbox. However, it is not recommended to disable this feature as it provides a safety net against losing progress.

What file types can I expect when recovering AutoCAD drawings?

When recovering files, you may come across several file types including .dwg, .bak, and .sv$. The DWG files are the working drawing files, while BAK files are created as backups and SV$ files are autosave files.