Good skills to correct the faulty AutoCAD files

One of the nightmares for ACAD drawers is the notice: “Unable to load this drawing file because it contains inrrect or corrupted information”. It means you cannot open the faulty file because of Virus, power-off while drawing… For big constructions, the value of drawings is not small. The most effective way to avoid these losses is that you must keep the backup of data regularly. Before restoring drawing, you create a backup of faulty drawing because in process of restoring, it may be false with original drawing.

1. Recheck the backup file

Generally, when saving an AUTOCAD drawing, following to default, a backup one of that files will be saved as file *.BAK(Tool>Options>Open and save> Create backup copy with each save), if check mark (V) has not been chosen yet, you mark that box. The first step of restoring process is finding file *.BAK corresponding to faulty file then change name into *.dwg (For example, my faulty file is Spkt.dwg, the backup file will be Spkt.bak). Then try to open, it is assured that for the troubles as power-off, you just need to do this action, it will be ok.

Good skills to correct the faulty AutoCAD files

2. Using Recover command
(File>Drawing Untilities>Recover) , this command allows to restore almost content of original file. After typing the command, you lead the path to faulty file and wait for running program. After finishing, it will notice you how many errors and how many ones are corrected. Generally, this action will cleanup 60% of popular errors. If the above step is successful, you go to step 3.

3. Using AUDIT and PURGE command
Typing command AUDIT (File>Drawing Untilities>Audit), the program will ask you “Fix any errors detected? [Yes/No] <N>”: You choose Y and press enter, ACAD will continue to scan the drawing and correct the errors that RECOVER command cannot do. You do this action several times until ACAD cannot find any error. To be sure, you use command PURGE (File>Drawing Untilities>Purge) to delete non-use references out of drawing (block, layer, xref…) because sometimes these references can cause the errors.

Good skills to correct the faulty AutoCAD files

4.Using INSERT command
Sometime you can use INSERTcommand to restore the drawing. Here we consider the faulty file as a BLOCK to insert into another drawing. Starting up ACAD to create a new drawing, type command ddinsert (Draw > Insert > Block) and delete all parameters in shown dialog box and mark at section Explode then press OK. CAD will try to insert and explode faulty file block into current drawing. If it is successful, you do again step 3.

5. Using Partial OPEN
This way get higher success rate but percent rate of restored drawing is lower. As known, ACAD divides drawing into layers to control and carry out easily. When you cannot open for faulty file, it is usually for some faulty layers. ACAD allows you to open each individual layer by command Partialopen (File>Open>Partial Open). If it is successful, the below window will appear. Please note at the right frame, the layers in your drawing will be displayed, you mark each layer then Open, do again step 3 then Save as a new drawing, then unite them into one. Do like that, you can reject the faulty layers.

Good skills to correct the faulty AutoCAD files

6. WBLOCK to extract the drawing into block
If after carrying out the command partial Open or RECOVER, AUDIT command is not effective, you do as follows: Choose all layers in drawing at regime: ON, THAWED, and UNLOCKED so that next actions can effect on all layers, and type WBLOCK then you choose the object to extract and name for block and press OK. Close current file (not save) then reopen the block. We have done this action many times and it is very effective.

7. Changing to DXF file
Go to CAD, open the faulty file and press OK. But immediately press ESC to cancel the first regeneration of drawing. If you can open, the notice will appear “You may want to practice this process with an undamaged file to get a sense of how to do this”. Next, you type DXFOUT command and enter the file name and press OK, then wait for a second. Then reopen CAD to create a new file, type DFXIN command to reopen the created DFX file. If it is successful, you save that file as DWG. Because each DXF file is a translation version of DWF file into code ASCII, if it is not successful, you use Notepad to open DXF file and search the abnormal codes (in comparison with the same files), edit then save and reopen to check. This is very new method that we still do not have time to research; please feel free to contact our newsroom if you know further information.

Good skills to correct the faulty AutoCAD files

8. Last one
If you used all methods but could not overcome the trouble, why do you not try running SCANDISK? A drawing copied in soft disk or hard disk can be located in faulty sectors. SCANDISK will scan surface of disk and correct the faulty sectors. It rarely happens in hard disk but sometimes in soft disk.

Good luck!

Thanks for reading!!!

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