How To Recover Drawing File Not Valid In AutoCAD?

Steps for Recovering a Corrupted AutoCAD Drawing File

Experiencing a "file not valid" error when trying to open a drawing in AutoCAD can be frustrating. However, there are several methods you can use to recover your drawing file. Follow these detailed steps to attempt recovery.

Using the Drawing Recovery Manager

1. Launch AutoCAD: First, start the AutoCAD application on your computer.

2. Access the Recovery Manager:

   • Click on the Application Menu (located at the top-left corner).
   • Select “Drawing Utilities” and then click on “Drawing Recovery Manager.” This window will display any files that may have been recovered or backed up.

3. Review Backup Files: Look for the "Backup Files" section within the Recovery Manager. Here, you’ll find a list of files that AutoCAD could potentially recover, including your corrupted file.

4. Open a File: Double-click the file you want to retrieve. If the file is damaged but has some recoverable data, AutoCAD will attempt to repair it automatically.

Renaming AutoCAD Backup Files

If the Recovery Manager doesn’t yield results, you can try recovering files using a manual method involving backup files:

1. Locate the Backup File:

   • Open File Explorer and navigate to the directory where AutoCAD saves backup files, typically indicated by the ".bak" extension.

2. Rename the File:

   • Right-click on the .bak file and select "Rename."
   • Change the file extension from ".bak" to ".dwg."
3. Open the Renamed File: After renaming, you can open the file in AutoCAD like any other drawing file and see if it can be accessed.

Accessing AutoCAD Autosave Files

If the above methods do not succeed, another option is to use AutoCAD’s autosave feature.

1. Find Autosave Location:

   • Open AutoCAD and head to the “Tools” menu.
   • Select “Options” from the drop-down.
   • Navigate to the “Files” tab and locate the “Automatic Save File Location.” This is usually set to a default path like C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp.
2. Open the Autosaved File: Within this folder, look for files with the ".sv$" extension, which are the autosaves. Rename the file from ".sv$" to ".dwg" before attempting to open it.

Using Third-Party Recovery Tools

When internal recovery options fail, third-party solutions can be a reliable alternative.

1. Download Recovery Toolbox for DWG:

   • Install the Recovery Toolbox software specifically designed for recovering DWG files.

2. Run the Application:

   • Launch the tool and select the corrupted DWG file.
3. Analyze and Recover:
   • Click on the "Analyze" button. The tool will scan the file and provide a preview of recoverable elements.
   • To save the recovered data, click the "Start Recovery" button and export it to a new AutoCAD project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent AutoCAD files from becoming corrupted?
To minimize the risk of file corruption, regularly save your work, utilize the autosave feature, operate on reliable hardware, and ensure you close AutoCAD properly each time.

What should I do if none of the recovery methods work?
If all recovery attempts fail, contacting Autodesk support or a data recovery specialist may provide additional options to retrieve your lost work.

Are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of?
Ensure that the version of AutoCAD you are using is compatible with the file you are attempting to open. Older drawing files may not open correctly in newer versions without proper conversion.