If you just lost an AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, or SketchUp project after a crash, accidental deletion, or file corruption, pause before you assume the work is gone. Each AutoCAD file recovery option gives a real chance to restore DWG, PLN, or SKP files and avoid setbacks. With the right approach, you can recover drawing files, restore backups, and return to your workflow without data loss. Now we will show you how to do it step by step and explain every method in detail.
How to Recover an Unsaved AutoCAD File
AutoCAD may unexpectedly close after a crash, power outage, or system freeze. When that happens, the last saved version of your project remains safe, but the unsaved progress appears lost. In reality, AutoCAD keeps temporary autosave copies that can restore most of the work. These files use the .sv$ extension and remain stored in the system’s temporary directory.
Steps to recover an unsaved AutoCAD file:
- Step 1: Close AutoCAD completely if it stays open after the crash.
- Step 2: Press Win + R, type %temp%, and press Enter to open the Temp folder.
- Step 3: Find files with the .sv$ extension or names that match your DWG project.
- Step 4: Right-click the required file and select Rename.
- Step 5: Change the extension from .sv$ to .dwg.
- Step 6: Open the file in AutoCAD.
If no results appear in the Temp folder, check the default autosave directory:
- C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp or
- C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Autodesk\Autosave
Users on Reddit confirm that this method often restores DWG files created shortly before a crash. Autosave copies typically contain the latest unsaved edits, making this process the fastest and most direct way to recover your project.
How to Recover Completely Deleted Architecture Projects
If the project is fully deleted and no autosave or backup copy remains, the only way to restore it is by using data recovery software. When files no longer appear in the Recycle Bin and AutoCAD or ArchiCAD cannot find them, special tools can still detect traces of lost data. These programs scan the drive sector by sector and rebuild deleted project files if the data blocks stay intact.
One of the most reliable options for this task is Disk Drill by CleverFiles. The program has an extensive list of supported file types, including DWG (AutoCAD Drawing), PLN (ArchiCAD Project), and SKP (SketchUp Model). It supports all major file systems and works on HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards.
If the file system stays intact and the deleted data is not overwritten, Disk Drill can recover almost any project file stored on the drive.
Steps to use data recovery software:
- Step 1: Download Disk Drill from the official data recovery software page and install it (ideally on a different drive than the one you’re trying to recover data from to avoid overwriting).
- Step 2: Open Disk Drill and choose the drive or partition that contains the lost project.
- Step 3: Click “Search for lost data.” Wait until the program completes the scan.
- Step 4: Open “Documents” and type *.dwg, *.pln, or *.skp in the search box to locate your files.
- Step 5: Select the files and press Recover. Choose a different destination folder or external drive for saving.
Disk Drill supports hundreds of file types, including DWG and PLN, and can restore almost any format if the file system stays undamaged and the deleted data has not been replaced.
Final Recovery Tips
Before you go, here are a couple more tips to keep in mind. These may help you recover your project file:
- If an ArchiCAD .pln file does not open normally. When ArchiCAD displays a message that a file is corrupted or cannot be read, use the Open & Repair option. Go to File > Open, select your PLN file, and before you press Open, check the box Open & Repair. This feature can fix minor integrity issues in the project. If the file still refuses to open, try opening it in a newer version of ArchiCAD or save it as a teamwork project and convert it back. Results vary, but in some cases, it restores access to the data. For persistent problems, contact Graphisoft Support – their engineers can often assist with damaged project databases.
- Frequent saves prevent major loss. Save your project every time you reach a key stage – ideally every 15-30 minutes. Each save refreshes the backup file (.bpn), which shortens the gap between active work and recoverable data. If ArchiCAD or AutoCAD crashes, you will lose at most the progress made after the last save, although autosave files may still retain some of this progress. Regular manual saves remain the best protection.
- After a crash, trust the built-in recovery first. When ArchiCAD or AutoCAD starts again after a crash, use the recovery prompt that appears automatically. This function often rebuilds autosave data and restores the project without extra steps. Only if this fails should you manually search for autosave files in folders such as ‘Autosave’ or ‘Temp’. Avoid copying incomplete .fdb or temporary databases unless no other option exists.
FAQ
Where can I find unsaved work if AutoCAD crashes?
Many architects face this problem after a sudden shutdown. AutoCAD does not erase unsaved data at once. The program creates autosave copies in a hidden folder.
- On Windows, type %temp% in the search bar to reach the default AutoCAD recovery file location.
- On macOS, the path is /Users/<username>/Documents/Autodesk/Autosave. Rename .sv$ to .dwg and open the file in AutoCAD to continue the project.
What should I do if an ArchiCAD .pln file does not open normally?
When ArchiCAD displays a message that a file is corrupted or unreadable, use the Open & Repair option. Go to File > Open, select your PLN file, and before you press Open, check the box Open & Repair. This option can fix internal errors and restore access to the project.
If the issue remains, try opening the file in a newer ArchiCAD version or convert it into a Teamwork project and back to a local copy. If nothing works, contact Graphisoft Support: their engineers often assist with damaged databases.
Can I recover an AutoCAD file after it has been deleted?
Yes. If you ask how to recover an AutoCAD file, first check the Recycle Bin. If the file does not appear there, use the BAK backup in the same folder or the Drawing Recovery Manager inside AutoCAD (Autodesk explains the built-in recovery features in its official documentation). When these options fail, reliable data recovery software such as Disk Drill can scan your drive for deleted DWG files and restore them.
Is it possible to recover an unsaved AutoCAD file after a crash?
Yes. The issue of recovering an unsaved AutoCAD file often arises after a sudden shutdown. AutoCAD autosave files with the .sv$ extension stay in the recovery folder. Change the file extension to .dwg and open it in AutoCAD.
Why does ArchiCAD use a PLN file for recovery?
Because a .pln file holds the full project data, ArchiCAD allows recovery through backup copies. A lost or corrupted project can be restored by locating the .bpn backup file, renaming it to .pln, and then opening it in ArchiCAD. This method often returns the latest stable version of the project.
