AboutBob Expertise I am good at helping Architects and Interior Designers who are intimidated by Autocad, ADT, etc. to feel comfortable, get things done. If you are in another field, I will do what I can for you.
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS TO QUESTIONER-- MOST DON'T FOLLOW THEM, AND IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO ANSWER WELL-- THANKS
Experience Interior Design and Space Planning. Autodesk U. 2000 and 2001. AutoCAD 2000-2009, ADT (now AutoCAD Architecture)
Question I saved over my dwg file, and need to recover the previous version. I am using LDD 2006. Since it wasn't a crash, and not associated to a project, I can't seem to locate where the previous version is saved in. Could you please point me to where this is stored? Thank you.
Answer NICELY --- It is HELL for me to try to figure out how to reply when you dont tell me your experience level.
However, I always try my best. This is mostly a question of understanding Windows, though, as I read it.
I have to guess you didn't take a good AutoCAD course, because you should have been taught how to find the temporary autosave file. As soon as you have time, look this up in HELP or a good book.
SEE BELOW
In addition, we are taught that in OPTIONS, we totally choose where things are saved --- I have to assume you are using the default, you dont say.
You are assuming there is a back-up of any old file. That is entirely up to the user to create. (I think this is pretty much true in most Windows programs) Remember, when you save a new version, you arent really saving a new version, you are saving modifications to the previous version (thus it is modified, and not the same)
You didn't tell me if you have saved and/or closed the drawing since that last save --- if you did not, the .bak file, in the same directory as the main file, OUGHT to OK and can be easily renamed. SO NEVER EVER CLOSE A FILE OR AUTOCAD IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN FUTURE ---ALWAYS LEAVE IT OPEN UNTIL YOU GET HELP.
--- AND YOU COULD USE "UNDO" IF ITS STILL OPEN
NOW -- THIS IS PROBABLY YOUR ONLY CHANCE--
If you look in OPTIONS, OPEN & SAVE tab, it will tell you where the autosave drawings are stored. Normally, it's in Local Settings/TEMP under Documents and Settings, your username or all users. (if the folder is hidden, you have to change the windows setting to see it)
Look for AUTOCAD AUTOSAVE DRAWING -- file extension .sv$--- and rename it.
BUT ITS TOO LATE IF TOO MUCH TIME HAS PASSED, OR YOU CLEANED OUT YOUR WINDOWS TEMP, MANUALLY OR BY AUTOMATIC SETTING.
I hope this helps -- I ALWAYS SAVE AS a new name when I open the drawing I plan to modify, usually with today's date in the name.
BOB
HERE IT IS FROM AN ONLINE FORUM
How do I find and use the files created by AutoSave?
By default the files created by AutoSave are stored in a temporary file folder. You can determine the folder name by selecting the Options command from the Tools menu. Next, select the Files tab. Click the '+' sign next to Automatic Save File Location. The complete path will be shown.
Once you've located the folder that contains the AutoSave files you'll need to decipher the file names. Below is the format used by the AutoSave function in naming the files.
AutoCAD session number is the sequentially numbered session of the program running concurrently on the system (if there is more than one session running).
MDE Window number is the sequentially numbered open drawing in the program (if there is more than one drawing open).
random number is a random number generated by the program.
.sv$ is the file extension AutoCAD assigns to all AutoSave files.
Let's say you are looking for the AutoSave file for a drawing FloorPlan.dwg. You have determined that the AutoSave Folder is C:\Temp Your AutoSave file wil be something like C:\Temp\FloorPlan_1_2_4361.sv$.
To open the AutoSave file you'll need to rename the file so that it has dwg extension.Once you've located the file, just highlight it, right-click and select Rename from the list. At the very least, change the sv$ to dwg. At this point you can move the file to a different folder or open it.
Note: The BAK file can also be useful in recovering drawings. The BAK file will have the same name as the drawing file, but with a bak extension. Use the procedure described above to rename the BAK file to a DWG file before opening it.
