Steps to Recover a Crashed Revit File
Experiencing a crash in Revit can be frustrating, especially if important work has not been saved. Fortunately, there are several methods to recover your work. Follow these steps to maximize your chances of retrieving unsaved files.
1. Check for Recovery Prompts
When Revit crashes due to a serious error, it typically provides a recovery option upon the next launch. After a crash, reopen Revit, and if prompted, choose the option to save the recovery file. This file may contain unsaved changes made prior to the crash.
2. Locate Temporary Files
In some cases, temporary files may be automatically created that contain your unsaved work. To find these files:
- Open Explorer on your Windows computer.
- Type
%temp%in the address bar and press Enter. - Look for files with extensions such as
.rvt, which may be temporary saves of your Revit projects. Note down any relevant files you discover.
3. Use Previous Versions Feature
Windows offers a feature that allows you to restore previous versions of files. To use this:
- Navigate to the folder where your Revit project was saved.
- Right-click the
.rvtfile and select Properties. - Go to the Previous Versions tab to see available backups. If any are listed, select the most recent version and click on Restore to recover that file.
4. Check the Journals Folder
Revit maintains a Journals folder that may contain backups of your work. To access:
- Open File Explorer.
- Go to
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit [Version]\Journals. - Look for files with dates corresponding to the last time you worked in Revit. These can sometimes provide a working version of your project.
5. Backup Settings and AutoSave Features
Ensure that your Revit is set to create backups regularly.
- Open Revit and go to the File tab.
- Navigate to Save As, then click on Options.
- Under File Save Options, set the maximum number of backup files you want Revit to maintain. This ensures you have more recovery points if a crash occurs.
6. Contact Autodesk Support
If your attempts to retrieve the lost work are unsuccessful, consider contacting Autodesk support. They might provide additional options for recovery based on your specific scenario. Be prepared to provide details about the crash and what methods you have already tried.
FAQ
1. Can I recover my Revit file if I did not save it at all?
It may be challenging, but checking for automatic recovery prompts after reopening Revit is the best first step. Additionally, look for temporary files in the Windows Temp folder.
2. Is there a way to prevent future crashes in Revit?
Maintaining your software, using the latest updates, regularly saving your work, and utilizing the AutoSave feature are effective methods to reduce the risk of crashes.
3. What should I do if Revit freezes instead of crashing?
If Revit becomes unresponsive, try closing the program from the Task Manager. If you are frequently experiencing this issue, consider repairing the installation through the Windows Control Panel.
