(MAC) Autocad doesn't save .bak files in the default location

[o4643078]

(macOS ) Hello, as the titles says Autocad doesn't save the .bak files in the default location (user/documents/Autodesk/autosave), instead it creates the .bak file in the same folder of the drawing.

I have all set correctly  in the preference panel.

Thanks

[Moshe-A]

@o4643078  hi,

not familiar with macOS but in windows we have MOVEBAK command, it's from ExpressTools, see if you got that?

Moshe

[o4643078]

 thanks for the reply,  unfortunately autocad for Mac doesn't have the MOVEBACK command

[Moshe-A]

it's MOVEBAK not moveback

[RobDraw]

There is a difference between back-up (.bak) files and autosave (.sv$) files. What you are seeing is default behavior for back-up files.

[o4643078]

nope,  the other day all the my .bak files were in User/Documents/Autodesk/Autosave

now Autocad for some unknown reson  put them wherever the .dwg file is located.

[o4643078]

I confirm that  the "MOVEBAK" command  doesn't exist in the macOS version. 

[pendean]

Like this perhaps https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticle...

[o4643078]

thanks but I tried it (delete the folders because i had them already and created new ones)  before asking here

[RobDraw]

What Is the default behavior for .bak location in Mac version? Windows goes to the same folder as .dwg as described in the OP.

[o4643078]

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticle...

I can't get this working, I'm not use to having .bak files all over the place 

[maxim_k]

Hi Ian,

AutoCAD always create .BAK filed on each save in the folder where the drawing you are editing is located (if ISAVEBAK sys var equals 1 - the default value OOTB)

So you mean Autosave location.

Can you verify settings in AutoCAD preferences?

Do you have Autosave enabled? - look at "General tab"

Have you tried to change Autosave path in AutoCAD preferences?

[o4643078]

hi, I've always had my .bak and .sv$ placed in the same folder together like this guy in this video  (autosave folder), 

https://youtu.be/OFkgutw0w3c?t=16

and suddenly last week autocad started to put the .bak files in the same location as the original draw. people says it's autocad normal behaviour but I have spoken with few collaborators (macOS users) and they all have the .bak files in their autosave folder, so I'm pretty confused and I don't like to have .bak files everywhere.

your screenshot looks exactly like mine and yes I tried to change the location with no results.

[maxim_k]

Hi,

The video you referred shows how to find Autosaved copies of drawings.

But .bak file you see in the sane folder as the drawing is not autosaved copy, it is the result of manual savings. On Mac you cannot change the location of such .bak files as MOVEBAK command is not available on Mac. You can only turn off creation of .bak files by changing ISAVEBACK sys var to 0 (zero).
Here you can find an overview of how backup and autosave works in AutoCAD for Windows:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Understa...
On Mac it is the same, except MOVEBAK option.
Plus, I don't know why both type of files (.BAK and .sv$) created in Autosave folder.

Now about autosave folder on your Mac.
Can you make a test?
- create TMP folder on your Desktop
- in AutoCAD preferences check that you have autosave enabled and set time to 2 minutes
- in AutoCAD preferences change Autosave location to the folder you created in first step
- restart AutoCAD, create new drawing, draw something in it
- open some of your drawings and work on it for 3-4 min
- move back to the drawing you created after you launch AutoCAD, try to make some changes in it.
Do you see information about automatic save at the command prompt? Was autosave copy created in TMP folder on your Desktop?