How to recover a autocad file？

AutoCAD, a powerful drafting software used primarily by architects, engineers, and designers, is often the backbone of many critical projects. Losing an AutoCAD file can be a nightmare, especially when you’ve spent hours, days, or even weeks working on it. Thankfully, AutoCAD provides several ways to recover files, from backups to autosave features.

We will also explore various preventive measures to ensure that data loss does not occur in the future, such as configuring AutoCAD’s save settings, creating backups, and using data recovery tools effectively.

1. Using AutoCAD’s AutoSave Feature

AutoCAD has a built-in AutoSave feature designed to automatically save a copy of your drawing at regular intervals. This can be a lifesaver in the event of an unexpected crash or power failure.

Steps to Recover Using AutoSave:

Locate the AutoSave Files:

AutoCAD saves these files in a specific location. By default, these are stored in the AutoCAD temporary files folder, which you can access by navigating to the folder path:

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Autodesk\AutoCAD [version]\[Language]\

The AutoSave files have the .sv$ extension. Search for these files in the folder.

Change the File Extension:

Once you find the AutoSave file, copy it to another location to prevent overwriting. Rename the file, changing the .sv$ extension to .dwg, which is the standard AutoCAD drawing file format.

Open the File:

After renaming the file, open it in AutoCAD as you would any other drawing. If the file was saved correctly, your most recent changes should be intact.

Review the File:

It’s a good idea to review the recovered file thoroughly, as AutoSave might not capture all the changes in some situations.

Configuring AutoSave Settings:

You can change the frequency of AutoSave from within AutoCAD’s options.

Go to Options under the Application Menu.

Select the Open and Save tab.

Adjust the Automatic Save time interval to something shorter (like 5 minutes) for future projects.

2. Using the Backup Files

AutoCAD creates backup files (with a .bak extension) every time you save a drawing. These files can be used for recovery.

Steps to Recover Using Backup Files:

Locate the Backup File:

Backup files are typically stored in the same folder as your original drawing file.

Look for files with the .bak extension in your drawing’s directory.

Rename the Backup File:

Copy the .bak file to a different location to avoid overwriting it.

Rename the file to have a .dwg extension (the standard AutoCAD file format).

Open the File:

Open the renamed file in AutoCAD. If the file was saved properly, it should contain most of your changes, potentially up to the last save point.

Backing Up AutoCAD Drawings:

To prevent data loss in the future, consider regularly saving backups:

Backup Settings:

AutoCAD automatically creates backup files when you save your work, but you can specify a location for these backups.

Under the Files tab in the Options dialog box, you can configure AutoCAD to store backups in a more accessible folder.

Use Versioning:

AutoCAD’s DWG Compare feature can be useful for keeping track of changes across different versions of a drawing. By comparing files, you can ensure that no data is lost and that you’re working with the latest iteration.

3. Recovering from Previous Versions (Windows)

If your file is missing or corrupted, Windows has a built-in feature called Previous Versions that can help you recover earlier versions of your files.

Steps to Recover Using Previous Versions:

Navigate to the File Folder:

Go to the folder where your AutoCAD file was located.

Right-click on the folder and select Restore previous versions from the context menu.

Select a Previous Version:

A list of previous versions of the folder will appear. Select the version that is closest to your last known good save.

Recover the File:

Click Restore to recover the previous version of the folder or file.

This feature is particularly useful when you’ve accidentally deleted a file or if it has been corrupted beyond repair.

4. Recovering Corrupted AutoCAD Files

If your AutoCAD file is corrupted, there are still options to recover it. AutoCAD has a RECOVER command that allows you to open and repair corrupted drawings.

Steps to Recover a Corrupted File:

Use the RECOVER Command:

In AutoCAD, type RECOVER in the command line and press Enter.

Browse to the location of the corrupted file and select it to start the recovery process.

Repair the File:

If the file can be recovered, AutoCAD will attempt to repair it. After the process is complete, save the file to a new location.

Manual Repair:

If the automatic recovery process doesn’t work, try opening the file in a different version of AutoCAD or using the AUDIT command, which checks the file for errors and repairs them.

Use Third-Party Tools:

Panda Assistant is a powerful and user-friendly data recovery software designed to help users recover lost or deleted files from various types of storage devices. Whether you’re dealing with an accidental file deletion, a formatted hard drive, or a corrupted storage device, Panda Assistant provides an effective solution for retrieving your important files.

One of the standout features of Panda Assistant is its ease of use. With an intuitive interface, even users with little technical knowledge can navigate the software and perform data recovery without much hassle. The program supports a wide range of file formats, including documents, images, videos, and more, ensuring that you can recover virtually any type of file from different storage devices like hard drives, USB flash drives, SD cards, and external drives.

5. Preventing Data Loss in the Future

While recovering lost or corrupted AutoCAD files is possible, it’s always better to take preventive measures to avoid data loss. Here are some strategies you can implement:

5.1. Save Frequently

Get into the habit of saving your work often to avoid significant data loss. Use the Ctrl + S shortcut or enable AutoSave to make this process automatic.

5.2. Enable Cloud Storage and Backups

Consider using cloud storage solutions such as Autodesk’s A360. Google Drive, or Dropbox to automatically back up your drawings. This ensures that you always have access to previous versions and prevents data loss if your local drive fails.

5.3. Use a Version Control System

Implement a version control system for your AutoCAD files. This allows you to track changes over time, revert to earlier versions, and manage project updates more effectively.

5.4. Automate Backups

Use AutoCAD’s built-in backup features to automatically create backup files at set intervals. Store backups in a separate location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage.

5.5. Protect from Hardware Failures

Invest in a reliable external hard drive or SSD to store backups of your AutoCAD files. You can also use RAID configurations for data redundancy, which helps protect your files in case of hard drive failure.

5.6. Use AutoCAD Recovery Manager

AutoCAD has a Recovery Manager tool that lists all the backup files and AutoSave files, allowing you to easily recover lost or corrupted files. The Recovery Manager can be accessed from the Application Menu or by typing RECOVERY in the command line.