How to Recover Draftsight Files?

Understanding DraftSight Autosave Feature

DraftSight provides an autosave function that secures your work periodically, reducing the risk of data loss during unexpected shutdowns or crashes. To ensure you recover your work effectively, it’s essential to know how to locate and open these autosave files.

How to Configure Autosave Settings

1. Access Options Menu: Navigate to the ‘Tools’ menu and select ‘Options’, or simply type ‘Options’ into the command line.

2. Explore System Options: Within the Options dialog, find and click on ‘System Options’.

3. Locate Auto-Save Settings: Look for the ‘Auto-save & Backup’ section. Here, you can manage your autosave preferences.

4. Customize File Location: Expand the ‘Automatic Save File Location’ section. Set a designated folder where the autosaved files will be stored (usually files generated will have a specific extension).

5. Adjust Auto-Save Intervals: Under the ‘Auto-save/backups’ section, you can configure how frequently DraftSight autosaves your work (in minutes).

6. Finalize Settings: Once customized, click ‘OK’ to save your settings.

Steps to Open DraftSight Autosave Files

Recovering files from the autosave location is straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Launch DraftSight: Start the software and make sure you are in the main interface.

2. Locate Autosave Files: Use the folder path defined in the autosave settings from the previous section to find your saved documents. Typically, it will be in the location you specified.

3. Open Autosaved Document:
   • Go to ‘File’ in the main menu and select ‘Open’.
   • Navigate to the folder where the autosave files are stored.
   • Change the file type filter to view files of the saved type (.dwg, .dxf, etc.).
   • Select the desired document and click ‘Open’, or choose ‘Open Read-Only’ if you want to review it without making changes.

Recovering Files During Crashes

In cases where DraftSight crashes unexpectedly, the last autosaved version of your work should automatically be available:

1. Reopen DraftSight: Upon restarting the software after a crash, the ‘Document Recovery’ dialog will appear, presenting a list of auto-recovered files.

2. Select Document to Recover: Choose the autosaved document you wish to restore.

3. Save the Recovered File: Decide whether to overwrite the original file with the recovered version or utilize ‘Save As’ to create a new file for future reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do I find the autosave files if I forgot where I saved them?
A1: You can configure or revisit the autosave settings under ‘Tools’ > ‘Options’ > ‘System Options’ > ‘Auto-save & Backup’. The path specified there will direct you to the location where autosaved files are stored.

Q2: Can I change the frequency of autosaves in DraftSight?
A2: Yes, you can modify the autosave interval under ‘System Options’ by adjusting the settings in the ‘Auto-save/backups’ section.

Q3: What should I do if I cannot find my autosave files?
A3: Verify the autosave folder location set in the options menu. Additionally, ensure that your computer is not hiding system files; check the folder settings in your operating system to display all files.