Have you ever spent hours working on a complex drawing in AutoCAD, only to realize that it’s nowhere to be found? Losing a drawing can be frustrating, especially when you’ve invested so much time and effort into it.
But fear not! In this article, we will explore various ways to find lost drawings in AutoCAD.
1. Check the Recent Documents
If you have recently been working on the lost drawing, chances are it might still be listed in the “Recent Documents” section of AutoCAD.
To access this list, simply click on the “Open” button on the AutoCAD home screen or go to “File” > “Open” from the menu bar. Look for your drawing in the list and click on it to open.
2. Search Your Computer
If your lost drawing is not in the recent documents list, it’s time to search your computer.
To do this, click on the “Start” button in Windows and type “AutoCAD” or “*.dwg” in the search bar. This will bring up all AutoCAD files or drawings on your computer. Scroll through the results and look for your missing drawing.
Using Advanced Search Options
If you’re having trouble locating your file using a simple search, try using advanced search options. In Windows Explorer, click on “Tools” > “Folder Options” > “Search” tab.
Check the box that says “Always search file names and contents.” This will ensure that Windows searches within files rather than just their names.
3. Utilize Backup Files
AutoCAD creates backup files with a .bak extension by default. These files are saved automatically at regular intervals while you work on your drawings.
To find these backup files, navigate to the same folder where your original drawing was saved. Look for files with the same name as your lost drawing but with a .bak extension. Simply rename the .bak file to .dwg and open it in AutoCAD to recover your work.
4. Check Autosave Files
AutoCAD also creates autosave files in case of unexpected program crashes or power failures. These files have a .sv$ extension and can be found in the temporary folder specified in AutoCAD’s options.
To locate these files, open AutoCAD and go to “Tools” > “Options” > “Files” tab > “Automatic Save File Location.” Navigate to this folder using Windows Explorer and look for any files with the .sv$ extension. Rename the file by removing the $ symbol and change the extension to .dwg before opening it.
5. Restore from Previous Versions
If you are using Windows 10 or a similar operating system, you can try restoring previous versions of your lost drawing using the built-in file history feature. Right-click on the folder where your drawing was saved, select “Restore previous versions,” and choose a version of the folder that contains your missing file.
Conclusion
Losing drawings in AutoCAD can be a stressful experience, but with these tips, you can increase your chances of finding them again. Remember to check recent documents, search your computer thoroughly, utilize backup and autosave files, and consider restoring from previous versions if available. By following these steps, you’ll be able to recover those precious hours of hard work and continue with your design projects seamlessly.
I hope this tutorial has helped you in finding lost drawings in AutoCAD. Happy designing!