Is there an ʼAuto-saveʼ feature to prevent data loss in BricsCAD?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — BricsCAD has an auto-save feature to help prevent data loss by automatically creating recovery files while you work. The most common professional method is setting the auto-save interval in SETTINGS. However, auto-save does not replace regular manual saves, and the last few minutes of work can still be lost.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Auto-save in BricsCAD creates temporary recovery data, not always a fully updated DWG at every moment. If BricsCAD crashes during a heavy operation or before the next interval, recent changes made after the last auto-save may not be recoverable.

How to Enable Auto-Save in BricsCAD

  • Command: SETTINGS

  • Shortcut: SET

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Type SETTINGS in the command line, or open Settings from the interface.
    2. In the Settings dialog, search for automatic save or Save time interval.
    3. Enable the option and set the save interval value, typically in minutes, then confirm the change.

Variables & Settings

  • System Variable: SAVETIME (Default: 10)

  • Expert Setting: SAVETIME controls how often BricsCAD creates automatic save files. Lower values reduce the amount of work lost after a crash, but very short intervals can interrupt performance slightly on large drawings.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): Very large or complex drawings can delay the auto-save process, especially during regeneration-heavy operations.

  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): If the drawing is stored in a restricted, synced, or locked folder, recovery files may fail to write correctly.

  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Auto-save does not protect unsaved changes made after the last interval, and it may not complete properly if BricsCAD freezes during an active command.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Run SETTINGS and reduce SAVETIME to a practical value such as 5 minutes, then manually save with Ctrl+S before major edits.

  • Manager’s Verdict: Use auto-save as a safety net, not as your main saving strategy. In production work, keep auto-save enabled, save manually at milestones, and store files on stable local or managed network locations.

FAQ

Where does BricsCAD store auto-save files?

Usually in the configured temporary or support file location defined in BricsCAD settings.

Can auto-save recover a drawing after a crash?

Yes, in many cases BricsCAD can use the auto-save file to recover recent work.

Is auto-save the same as saving the dwg file?

No, auto-save creates recovery data and should not replace normal manual saving of the DWG.

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