topic Recover Old Data from Inactive License - I Need Help in Fusion Support Forum

Recover Old Data from Inactive License - I Need Help

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:10:47 GMT

Background

Over the years I have had three different Autodesk accounts (usernames/passwords).

Event

A year and a half ago I lost two of my account licenses and took a year off from Autodesk CAD after retiring.

I thought I had lost years and massive amount of work as when I came back and purchased a new Fusion license I could not find the prior work.

Last week I took a vacation and when I came back my Fusion did not automatically load my current active license. In the process of trying to recall my username/password for current active license - I discovered that my years of old work could still be accessed (under a 30-day trial).

Sample Image (small portion of projects).

This data includes Fusion files, AutoCAD files, SolidWorks files, PDF files and other formats.

Problem Statement

How can I back up all of this work to a local drive or some other location in an easy way before this 30-day trial expires? (I found I can Open and then Export Fusion files, but this will take forever and doesn't get me my other format files).

I might also point out that somehow in the year I took off I forgot probably 90% of what I once knew and am having to relearn how to navigate this stuff. I am hoping there is an easy drag-and-drop method to a Windows folder.

Any suggestions?

Re: Recover Old Data from Inactive License - I Need Help

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:18:15 GMT

Update:

Made some progress here (I think).

Remembered drive.autodesk.com

Now if I can just figure out how to bulk download my files...

Re: Recover Old Data from Inactive License - I Need Help

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:27:41 GMT

...maybe this will get me closer?

Re: Recover Old Data from Inactive License - I Need Help

jhackney1972 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:36:11 GMT

I use the Local Cache System outlined in this web article. The files are named a bit weird but they are easily recognized. One of the best things about this method is it is automatic being executed from the Data Panel on individual files, folders or entire projects. If your process includes 2D Drawings, it will export the related model as well.

One thing I would recommend, do not follow the article instructions on clearing your cache, do it manually using File Explorer in Windows. By the way, I have no experience with this process on a MAC operating system so if this is the case, you are on your own. The "F" folder, as mentioned in the article contains the cached files. You can erase the contents of this folder from File Explorer to make sure it is clear before you cache any files.

After caching your desire files, be sure to sort them by type and copy out the Fusion files to a safe location.

One of the nice things about this process, it adds the operation to the Notification Icon on the Fusion desktop, as a job and reports on its progress so you do not have to guess if it is done.

Edit: Also if you go to the Web Database and click on the shown icon called "Download", the routine will compress all NON-DESIGN files contained in the folder and allow you to save them as a ZIP file. This includes PDFs, graphics, icons, etc. This will not include say Inventor files since when they are uploaded to the Cloud they are converted to design files. I have no idea about other CAD formats as I do not have access but if Fusion will open them, they probably are converted to design files.

Re: Recover Old Data from Inactive License - I Need Help

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:47:09 GMT

@jhackney1972

I would give this a hundred thumbs up if I could.

Thanks for the help. I thought this stuff was gone forever.

Re: Recover Old Data from Inactive License - I Need Help

TheCADWhisperer — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 13:36:52 GMT

@jhackney1972

I gave up.

More important things to do with my time at this stage in life.