Frequent tipster Danny Korem shares a safety procedure that can help you back up AutoCAD files more effectively.

"When you save your file (I do it as frequently as possible — when the phone rings, when I go to get a cup of coffee, etc.), try getting used to saving it twice. This repetition can help you if you force AutoCAD to create backup files. (If you’re not sure whether AutoCAD is creating these backups, check your folder and look for BAK files, or access the Open and Save tab under Options and check the 'Create backup copy with each save' box.)

"The thing is that the BAK file is one save behind the DWG file. Saving twice (especially when closing the file) will cause AutoCAD to keep similar files in both formats. In case the DWG file will not open, rename both files so you can open the backup, and you won’t lose any data ever again."

Notes from Cadalyst Tip Patrol: Why aren’t you doing this? Creating a BAK file with each save is an out-of-the-box setting in AutoCAD and its verticals. (If it’s not on, then it was turned off. If so, that’s OK; maybe the BAK files in your folders were annoying you.) With this feature turned on, AutoCAD copies the file and changes the extension from DWG to BAK, then saves your file as the DWG version. This gives you a brief history or archive, and a fallback option if your DWG file becomes corrupt. I save frequently — very frequently — so I typically have very little difference between the two files, and I have a backup in case the main file fails. Which is a good thing.