Movebak Issue

[rgorman]

I came across this issue just before release while using the RC Beta. It had been noticed and there a few 'solutions' listed on the Beta Forums. Some were a bit of overkill, to be honest.

It appears that "MOVEBAK" doesn't always save to the directory that is specified. I might have 9 files open and when I save them, most WILL go, but several might not and remain in the working directory. I have done some 'testing' and I have found that if you use "SAVEAS" after opening a file from a different directory, or attachment, etc... It will create the BAK file in that dwg's 'saved to' directory, NOT in the specified directory for MOVEBAK. HOWEVER- if you then OPEN those files, save them, it will get rid of the BAK files in the wrong directory and create them in the proper specified directory. 

I think that is a simpler way to fix the issue until the bug is worked out in a future update/service pack.

[pendean]

RC Beta?

[averdam]

I have the same problem with movebak.
If you set movebak to a custom directory, saving works fine.
But when you restart Autocad, the bak files are saved in the dwg directory. It appears that movebak does not save the custom directory after closing autocad

[pendean]

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@averdam wrote:

...It appears that movebak does not save the custom directory after closing autocad

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MOVEBAK works fine as you wish it to do, it does for most of us that use it in our office: pretty spify.

Perhaps your startup process reloads a corporate profile or your CAD Manager or IT person wants you to do it their way, or you have an add-on that resets itself and might trigger a reset for you, or your Windows Log-in Profile is quite restricted an your Windows Registry edits are only temporary.

Which of the above possibilities apply to you by chance? If you are unsure, ask around in the office. If you are the only one around, consider resetting your AutoCAD back to defaults after you backup your customizations then test it.

[averdam]

No that is not the solition. Om the same computer i have autocad 2024. There is no problem.

[pendean]

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@averdam wrote:
No that is not the solition. Om the same computer i have autocad 2024. There is no problem.

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Here is how to open a support case with Autodesk if you are on subscription to seek out Autodesk Support's help:
https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-find-my-sup...

[landsurveyservices]

I am having the same issue on Cilvil3D 2025. Any solutions for this?

[pendean]

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@landsurveyservices wrote:

I am having the same issue on Cilvil3D 2025. Any solutions for this?

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[brett]

Having the same issue with multiple installs of Autocad 2025 at our office. Each time you reopen AutoCad it reverts to saving the BAK file in the working directory. If you try change MOVEBAK again it will still have the custom folder listed, hit enter and it will work correctly until the next time you restart AutoCad when it will revert to the working folder again.

It works fine in our installs of 2024

[pendean]

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@brett wrote:

Having the same issue with multiple installs of Autocad 2025 at our office...

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Do this https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/movebak-issue/m-p/12764963#M1130789 

[landsurveyservices]

You are correct. If I set the "movebak" setvar to the directory I want, it
works for that session of Autocad. Next session it reverts back to my
default drawing folder.

[pendean]

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@landsurveyservices wrote:
You are correct. If I set the "movebak" setvar to the directory I want, it
works for that session of Autocad. Next session it reverts back to my
default drawing folder.

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Did you or your CAD manager setup up a custom external PROFILE that autoloads and removes any personal settings you have saved in your AutoCAD/Civil3D/Map3D session?

Or are you in a very restricted WindowsOS log-in or have a corrupt Windows Registry File that your program settings are getting ignored?

Or is this the issue

[averdam]

No, this is what it is.

[jsmith10]

I would also like to report the MOVEBAK issue. 

I'm running AutoCAD 2025 on a Dell XPS workstation.  I have MOVEBAK set to save any .BAK file created to a designated folder on the D:\ drive. 

1.  I first open the program and start an existing drawing.  When saving this drawing the .BAK file is saved to the same folder as the existing drawing.  MOVEBAK does NOT save the .BAK file to the folder I have designated.  I can then call the MOVEBAK command and the command on the command line shows the designated path to the folder (between the carats).  I hit ENTER, and then subsequent saves will result in a .BAK saved to the folder path I designated in MOVEBAK.  

2.  When first opening the program and then starting a new drawing, I save the drawing to a folder with a new filename.  Subsequent saves will produce a .BAK file in the same folder as my new drawing.  Then, as above, if I call the MOVEBAK command and hit enter, any further saves will result in a .BAK file saved to the appropriate folder designated in the MOVEBAK command.  

I tried to make this as clear as possible.  MOVEBAK will work, but it has to be called from the command line every time I start AutoCAD 2025.  This behavior does not occur in AutoCAD 2024 or 2023, also on this same computer, using the same folder designation.  

So there is a workaround, but having to start MOVEBAK every time I start AutoCAD 2025 is annoying.  I just don't remember to do it every time.  I tried to include the MOVEBAK command in my acad.lsp file that runs before every drawing instance, but AutoCAD halts the .LSP file when it gets to that command.  I imagine the acad.lsp file will not run Express Tool apps.  At least not this one.  

A fix would be much appreciated. 

[paullimapa]

Not sure why movebak.lsp has a different behavior in 2025 but here's the acad*.lsp load order:

acad2025.lsp

acad.lsp

(These two files are only loaded at first startup, unless the ACADLSPASDOC system variable is set to 1)

Next comes Autodesk’s acad2025doc.lsp (this is where Express Tools functions are autoloaded)

So if you attempt to call the movebak.lsp function from within acad.lsp, this will fail since Express Tools has not loaded yet.

Since next to load are what's inside Appload StartUp Suite, see if you're successful by placing the movebak.lsp here.

[jsmith10]

That worked.  

I copied MOVEBAK.LSP from the Express Tools folder to the folder I use for my APPLOAD routines (not strictly necessary).  I started APPLOAD, opened the Contents under the Startup Suite on the lower right of the dialog,  and added MOVEBAK.LSP to the list of applications.  

MOVEBAK now operates correctly for new and existing drawings.  Thanks for the effective workaround.  I still think AutoDesk needs to fix this function so it operates correctly without this workaround, else they'll have a lot of users searching for this forum topic!  

Thanks again. 

[paullimapa]

Express Tools like this routine is really outdated (for movebak.lsp is dated 1999) and have not been improved or worked on since. I don't think Autodesk has any plans to do any more with them....but glad to have helped...cheers!!!

[brett]

Thanks for the help Paul.

This solution works but for what we pay for AutoCad we shouldn't have to rely on workarounds from community members for basic functionality. Something like where to locate backup files should be built into the software by now, they have had many years to integrate Express Tools functionality into the software code.

[paullimapa]

Best place to give Autodesk feedback is here

[pendean]

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@brett wrote:

Thanks for the help Paul.

This solution works but for what we pay for AutoCad we shouldn't have to rely on workarounds from community members for basic functionality...

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If you never report it to Autodesk (aka not in this forum), they will never fix it: a user(s) over in the C3D forum did and it appears at least Autodesk is focused on that variant 

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/civil-3d-forum/movebak-being-sporadically-ignored-in-2025/m-p/1283134...