Intro to AutoCAD Autosave and .BAK Files for Effective File Recovery
“There are two types of people: those who have lost data, and those who will.”
This saying serves as a reminder of the inevitability of data loss and the necessity of knowing what to do after a crash.
AutoCAD’s autosave and backup features are essential for any CAD user to understand and differentiate.
Understanding how to use these backup two safety nets can be a game-changer in recovering your work after unexpected data losses or system failures. The video above will explore how AutoCAD and AViCAD utilize these files to prevent data loss and enhance file recovery processes.
Autosave periodically saves a copy of your work. .BAK files are automatically created backup files that store the previous version of your drawing.
Recovering from a crash: .SV$ file, first then .BAK file
When a crash occurs, the first step in recovery is to locate the .SV$ file and rename it to a dwg. This file is an autosave file that your CAD software creates periodically as you work. It’s your most recent snapshot and could be more current than any manually saved versions, making it extremely valuable for recovery.
Understanding the Role of .SV$ Files in AutoCAD Recovery Processes
The .SV$ file is temporary and will be deleted once you reopen the drawing and start working. This means you need to act quickly to recover and rename this file before it’s gone.
The .SV$ file in AutoCAD and AViCAD is your latest autosaved version of a working file, which can be a lifesaver in a crash or data corruption. In the video above, we will cover what .SV$ files are, how they function, and how you can convert them to the DWG format to recover the most recent unsaved changes to your drawings.
Understanding the Role of .BAK Files when the .SV$ is not available
If the .SV$ file isn’t available, your next best option is to restore the .BAK file. This file is a backup automatically created by your CAD software whenever you save a drawing. While it might not be as up-to-date as the .SV$ file, it’s a stable and reliable fallback if the autosave file can’t be retrieved.
Below is an overview of what’s inside the tutorial.
Creating and Managing .BAK Files with AViCAD
.BAK files are like having added Insurance when storing previous versions of your projects. In AViCAD, similar to AutoCAD, these files are generated automatically every time you save a drawing. This tutorial will walk you through creating and identifying these files within the software. We will also cover how to manage these files in a central folder, ensuring that they are accessible and organized should you need to revert to a previous drawing version.
How to Convert/ Rename SV$ and .BAK Files to DWG Format Using the F2 Key
Converting a .BAK file back to a standard DWG file is relatively straightforward if you know the right steps. In the video, I’ll show you how to rename these backup files by changing the file extension from .BAK to .DWG using the F2 key, the quick shortcut for renaming files in Windows Explorer. Although this technique is very simple, it will allow you to rename and manage the files and recover lost work with minimal fuss. Right-clicking to rename works well, too—experiment with what works best for you. But once you remember and start using F2 you will never look back.
Setting Up Auto-Save Features in AViCAD: Tips and Best Practices
It is important to configure the auto-save feature properly to ensure you never lose too much. This part of the tutorial will guide you through setting up an auto-save in AViCAD, including selecting optimal save intervals and managing your auto-save files. By adjusting these settings, you can customize how often your work is saved and minimize the risk of data loss.
Navigating Your Auto-Save Directory: Access and Management
Your auto-save directory is not just another folder on your computer—instead, auto-saved files need to be well-organized and managed throughout your project. This will save you a significant amount of time and stress. I’ll explain how to access and manage this directory effectively, ensuring that your auto-saved and backup files are always easy to find and restore when needed.
Drawing Backup Strategies using Google and Microsoft OneDrive
For those interested in cloud backup strategies for CAD, we recommend using Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive to create a fallback location for your CAD drawings. In this supplemental video, we explore how to integrate these services into your daily workflow to ensure that your drawings are saved locally and backed up securely in the cloud.
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