topic Re: Understanding AutoCAD backup and autosave files in AutoCAD Forum

Understanding AutoCAD backup and autosave files

john.vellek — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 23:13:05 GMT

Want to know more about backup files in AutoCAD? What is a BAK file or sv$ file?

Re: Understanding AutoCAD backup and autosave files

john.vellek — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 23:13:30 GMT

One thing I used to teach my students about AutoCAD usually happened after the first ten minutes of the first class. I would unplug their computer and ask what they had forgotten to do!

Yes, the correct answer is SAVE. There is no replacement for an intentional File Save at the appropriate time(s). I know it is tempting to let an AutoSave take care of that for you but I can guarantee that we all will face the music when something crashes and the AutoSave isn't current, got deleted, or didn't run at all.

Many times, users like to configure the AutoSave to run every couple of minutes. I can't tell you what this does to impact performance and network traffic! DON'T do it!

Here is an AKN article that describes the basics of backup and autosave in AutoCAD. Please post your experiences or questions regarding these features.

Re: Understanding AutoCAD backup and autosave files

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 00:35:11 GMT

.BAK file is the previous saved .DWG file; when you save a DWG the current DWG is renamed BAK. Running QSAVE twice keeps the .BAK very nearly identical to the .DWG.

The $SV file is an AUTOSAVE file that is created in the SAVEFILEPATH directory when a session exceeds the SAVETIME limit without a PROPER save. If you don't exceed SAVETIME no autosave file is created. That file is eliminated when a PROPER save is initiated. If create backup is on, and you exceed SAVETIME twice the first .$SV is renamed .BAK and a new .$SV is created. A subsequent PROPER save will eliminate the .$SV but not the BAK.

Autosave is intended as a last ditch effort to mitigate a catastrophic failure, it is NOT intended to replace proper and timely saves by users.

Renaming .BAK or ,$SV to .DWG will allow the file to be opened by AutoCAD.

Save early, save often, the job you save may be your own.