How to Show Backup in AutoCAD?

Understanding AutoCAD Backup Functionality

AutoCAD provides a built-in autosave feature that creates periodic backups of your drawings. This ensures that data is not lost in the event of a software crash or accidental oversight in saving. Here are the steps to access your AutoCAD backups and utilize this feature effectively.

How to Access and Configure AutoCAD Backup Settings

1. Open AutoCAD: Launch the AutoCAD application on your computer.

2. Access Options: Type OPTIONS in the command line and press Enter. This will open the Options dialog window.

3. Navigate to Open and Save Tab: Within the Options dialog, select the "Open and Save" tab. This section is dedicated to all settings related to file management.

4. Enable Automatic Save: Ensure that the “Automatic save” checkbox is selected. This activates the autosave feature.

5. Set Save Interval: Specify the time duration (in minutes) for the interval at which AutoCAD should automatically save your work. Adjust this according to your preference to minimize potential data loss.

Locating AutoCAD Backup Files

To find where your backup files (typically with a .sv$ extension) are stored, follow these steps:

1. Open the Options Window: Enter OP in the command line and hit Enter to bring up the Options dialog.

2. Find File Locations: Go to the “Files” tab within the Options dialog. Here, look for the folder labeled “Automatic Save File Location.” This path indicates where AutoCAD saves its autosave files.

3. Navigate to the Directory: Use Windows Explorer to navigate to the displayed file path. This will lead you directly to your AutoCAD backup files.

Recovering Autosave Files

If you need to recover an autosave file after an unexpected shutdown, follow these steps:

1. Access Temp Folder: Open the Start menu and type %tmp% into the search bar. Press Enter to open your temporary files directory.

2. Identify the Relevant File: Look for files that have the same name as your original drawing but with the .sv$ extension and a timestamp indicating when the backup was created.

3. Change File Extension: To recover your drawing, rename the file by changing the .sv$ extension to .dwg.

4. Open in AutoCAD: Launch AutoCAD and open the newly renamed file to restore your work.

Finding Lost Drawings in AutoCAD

If your drawing seems to be lost, you can use several strategies to locate it:

1. Utilize the Recent Files List: Open AutoCAD and check the "Recent Files" list that appears when you start the application.

2. Search Using the Open Command: Click File > Open. Browse through your directories to check if the file exists in its expected location.

3. Model and Layout Tabs: Make sure you toggle between the Model and Layout tabs at the bottom of the AutoCAD interface to see if your drawing is accessible in either view.

Viewing Multiple Drawings Simultaneously

To enhance productivity, you may want to display multiple drawings at once in AutoCAD:

1. Open New Instance: Start a second instance of AutoCAD by launching it from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.

2. Open Additional Drawings: In the new instance, use the OPEN command to select and open another drawing.

3. Arrange Windows: Position the AutoCAD windows side by side to view both drawings simultaneously.

FAQ

How often should I set AutoCAD to autosave?

The autosave interval can be set according to your workflow. A common recommendation is to set it to save every 10-15 minutes, depending on how frequently you make changes to your drawings.

What is the difference between .dwg and .sv$ files?

The .dwg files are your main drawing files, while .sv$ files are temporary backups created by AutoCAD to prevent data loss. .sv$ files are not meant to be edited and should be renamed to .dwg for use.

Can I change the location where AutoCAD saves backup files?

Yes, within the Options dialog under the "Files" tab, you can specify a new folder path for Automatic Save File Location to direct where you want AutoCAD to store its backup files.