How Do I Run a Recovery File in AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a powerful software tool used by professionals in various industries for designing and drafting purposes. It’s common to encounter situations where you may need to run a recovery file in AutoCAD to retrieve lost or corrupted data. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of running a recovery file in AutoCAD.

Step 1: Locate the Recovery File

If AutoCAD crashes or closes unexpectedly, it automatically creates a recovery file to prevent data loss. The recovery file has the same name as your original drawing file but with the extension “.sv$” added at the end. To locate the recovery file, follow these steps:

  • Step 1.1: Open Windows Explorer or File Explorer on your computer.
  • Step 1.2: Navigate to the folder where your original drawing file is saved.3: Look for the file with the same name as your drawing but with the “.sv$” extension.

Step 2: Rename and Recover

Once you have located the recovery file, it’s important to rename it before attempting to recover your drawing in AutoCAD. Follow these steps:

  • Step 2.1: Right-click on the recovery file and select “Rename” from the context menu.
  • Step 2.2: Remove the “.sv$” extension from the filename, leaving only the original name and extension intact.
  • Note: It’s crucial that you remove the “.sv$” extension, as AutoCAD won’t recognize it otherwise.3: Press Enter to save the new filename.

Step 3: Open AutoCAD and Recover the Drawing

Now that you have renamed the recovery file, you can proceed to recover your drawing in AutoCAD. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Step 3.1: Launch AutoCAD on your computer.
  • Step 3.2: In the AutoCAD application window, click on the “Application” menu (represented by a red “A” icon) in the top-left corner.3: From the drop-down menu, select “Drawing Utilities” and then choose “Recover”.4: In the “Select File to Recover” dialog box, navigate to the folder where you saved your renamed recovery file.5: Select the recovered file and click on the “Open” button to start the recovery process.

Tips for Successful Recovery

To maximize your chances of successfully recovering your drawing in AutoCAD, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Create Regular Backups: It’s always a good practice to create regular backups of your drawing files to avoid potential data loss situations.
  2. Avoid Overwriting Original Files: When recovering a drawing, make sure not to overwrite or modify your original file until you have successfully recovered and verified its contents.
  3. Save Recovered Files Properly: After the recovery process is complete, save the recovered file with a new name to differentiate it from the original and any previous versions.

Following these tips will help you run a recovery file in AutoCAD effectively and minimize the risk of losing important data.

In Conclusion

Running a recovery file in AutoCAD can be a lifesaver when faced with unexpected crashes or data corruption. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you’ll be able to locate, rename, and recover your drawing files with ease.

Remember to create backups regularly and handle recovered files with care. Happy designing!