What Is the File Extension of an Autosave File in Draftsight?

Understanding DraftSight Autosave File Extensions

DraftSight is a widely used software application for 2D and 3D design, offering features that enable users to work efficiently on technical drawings. One important aspect of this software is the autosave feature, which ensures that your progress on drawings is not lost in case of unexpected shutdowns. The autosave files created by DraftSight have a specific file extension that users should be familiar with.

File Extension for DraftSight Autosave Files

The autosave mechanism in DraftSight saves your work periodically, generating a file extension specifically designated for these temporary files. The autosave files created by DraftSight are saved with a .sv$ extension. Understanding this is crucial for users who need to recover their work or retrieve unsaved changes.

When a drawing is autosaved, the file retains the original name appended with the .sv$ extension. For instance, if your drawing is named “Project1,” the corresponding autosave file would be named “Project1.sv$.”

Locating DraftSight Autosave Files

To access these autosave files, follow these steps:

1. Open the Application: Launch DraftSight on your computer.
2. Navigate to Options: Click on the Tools menu at the top of the interface, then select Options from the dropdown.
3. Select Backup Settings: In the Options dialog box, look for System Options and expand it.
4. Identify Autosave Location: Find the section labeled Auto-save & Backup, and the folder path under Automatic Save File Location indicates where your autosave files are stored.
5. Browse the Directory: You can use File Explorer to navigate to the folder specified in the previous step. Look for files with the .sv$ extension.

Recovering Autosave Files

If you need to recover your drawing using an autosave file, follow these steps:

1. Find the Relevant File: Go to the directory containing the autosave files as identified earlier.
2. Copy the Autosave File: Copy the autosave file with the .sv$ extension that corresponds to your drawing.
3. Rename the File: Before opening, rename the file by changing the extension from .sv$ to .dwg. This allows DraftSight to recognize it as a standard drawing file.
4. Open the File in DraftSight: Launch DraftSight and navigate to File > Open. Select the renamed file (now with a .dwg extension) to access your recovered work.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if I lose power while working on a DraftSight file?
If power is lost unexpectedly, the autosave feature will have created a temporary file with a .sv$ extension, allowing you to recover much of your work through the method outlined above.

2. Can I change the autosave interval in DraftSight?
Yes, you can adjust the autosave frequency in the Options menu under the System Options section, where you will find settings for autosave intervals.

3. Do autosave files include all changes made since the last save?
Autosave files capture the state of your drawing at the time of the autosave. Depending on the interval set, you may have a file that includes most changes made since the last manual save. However, any work done before the last autosave will not be included.