where are my bak files?

[JEFFJW9BB]

Hello:  I messed up something and need to access my .bak files.  I have some but not all.  Attached is a screen shot of a sample file showing a drawing I saved today but there is no bak file there. why not?

[maxim_k]

Hi @JEFFJW9BB ,

Please check at first ISAVEBAK System Variable, it should be 1 in order for AutoCAD to create BAK files.

[JEFFJW9BB]

Thank you.  I am set to <1>.  screen clip of command box attached to make sure.

Next step?

[maxim_k]

Where you save your drawings?

Local drive? Network drive? iCloud enabled folder?

What AutoCAD version do you use and what macOS installed on your Mac?

Do yo have this problem with all your drawings?

[pendean]

Ask an IT person to help you find your files, if you cannot find them after turning on file extensions in Windows File Manager first https://www.thewindowsclub.com/show-file-extensions-in-windows

And read this too for more tools and options https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/how-to-recover-los...

[maxim_k]

In macOS visibility of file extensions is enabled in the Finder settings:

 But I don't think that's the problem.

[JEFFJW9BB]

I save my drawings to my folders on my desktop. No network.
I have AutoCAD LT 2023 on my MAC Ventura 13.4.1
I see that there was a time when I was creating BAK files but not recently. (since updating to latest version?)
I cannot make any BAK files from any of my drawings in any of my project files.
I do see that there are BAK files in my Autodesk program home folder but they are confusing; with long suffix numbers - what are they?
I also see in that folder some blocks I created - I was looking for them! why do they automatically go there?

[JEFFJW9BB]

Unfortunately no IT person in this one-person office. (Me I guess). I am on a Mac so no Windows File Manager.
I will check out the link.
But my problem is first: why don't I create BAK files?
as always, thank you for your help!

[JEFFJW9BB]

Interesting! that top box was not checked!  See my screen shot

[JEFFJW9BB]

Why doe I have all these .bak files in my Documents folder; AutoDesk Autosave folder?  This is chaos.  Does Autocad do this typically?  

Why doesn't my program save bak folders in the folder where the drawing are kept?

[maxim_k]

Hi @JEFFJW9BB ,

You show Autosave folder in it's default location.

If autosave is enabled in AutoCAD settings (this is by default) - AutoCAD saves autosaved drawings with .BAK extension in this folder. This is normal behavior.

You wrote:

"I save my drawings to my folders on my desktop. No network."

Does your Desktop folder sync with iCloud in macOS System Preferences?

[pendean]

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@JEFFJW9BB wrote:
Unfortunately no IT person in this one-person office. (Me I guess)....

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Every small business person should have a reliable IT contact to call on when things go haywire. It's like insurance, nobody wants to pay until they need it then "poof".

Sorry about the Windows link: I forgot which forum I was in. My apologies. But I'm glad you now see what you should be seeing with file extensions and are no longer operating in the dark my friend.

[JEFFJW9BB]

Excellent suggestion! Can you recommend someone? I would like to have a relationship with an IT person, just like I have other professional consultants.

Thank you!

[JEFFJW9BB]

Hello:  

Thank you for your reply.

I sync with iCloud to keep my laptop in sync with my desktop.  

But I don't understand why Autocad is not autosaving the bak files to the folder where the file resides by default.

I have looked at:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Understanding-Auto...

but not very helpful to me.

any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

thanks again,

Jeff

[pendean]

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@JEFFJW9BB wrote:
Excellent suggestion! Can you recommend someone? I would like to have a relationship with an IT person, just like I have other professional consultants.

Thank you!

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You will want someone local/regional to you ideally, after you interview them and test their skills set with basic tasks on your MacOS device(s). I'm not based in NY.

[JEFFJW9BB]

More good advice,

Thank you.

[JEFFJW9BB · Accepted solution]

I downloaded AutoCAD LT for Mac 2024 and my problem is resolved!  Many thanks for the time you spent helping me with this problem.  I appreciate it very much!