Learn the basics of AutoCAD and More!

Lesson 1-6 – File Management Basics in AutoCAD

📁 Lesson 1-6 – File Management Basics in AutoCAD

📘 Lesson Type: Self-Study

⏱️ Estimated Time: 30–40 minutes

📚 Level: Beginner (Level 1 – Lesson 6)


🎯 Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Understand the different file types used in AutoCAD.
  • Open, save, and organize your drawing files.
  • Use Save As and Export to create different file versions.
  • Learn best practices for naming, storing, and backing up your work.

🧭 1. Why File Management Matters

Proper file management helps you:

  • Avoid losing work.
  • Stay organized across multiple projects.
  • Share files easily with coworkers or clients.
  • Track revisions and backups.

Imagine losing 5 hours of work because you didn’t save correctly—that’s why mastering file handling is essential.


📂 2. Understanding AutoCAD File Types

File ExtensionFile TypeDescription
.DWGDrawing fileYour main working file—this is where your drawings are saved.
.BAKBackup fileAutomatically created when you save—contains the previous version of your DWG.
.DWTTemplate filePredefined drawing setup (units, layers, etc.). Use this to start consistent projects.
.DXFDrawing Exchange FormatUsed to share with other CAD programs or older versions of AutoCAD.
.DWSStandards fileUsed to check your drawing against predefined company or CAD standards.
.SV$Autosave fileTemporary save file created at intervals (can be used to recover unsaved work).

💾 3. Saving Your Work

🔹 Save

  • Command: SAVE or click 💾 icon.
  • Overwrites the current file.
  • Shortcut: Ctrl + S (Use this often!)

🔹 Save As

  • Command: SAVEAS (CTRL+SHIFT+S)
  • Creates a copy of your file under a new name or location.
  • Useful for versioning (e.g., ProjectA_v2.dwg, KitchenLayout_Final.dwg)

📁 4. Organizing Your Files

Create a folder structure like this:

Projects/
└─ 2024/
└─ Kitchen_Remodel/
├─ Drawings/
│ └─ Layout1.dwg
├─ References/
├─ PDFs/
└─ Images/

✅ Name files descriptively: Garage_Elevation_RevA.dwg
❌ Avoid names like newdrawing3.dwg


🔄 5. Using Templates (DWT Files)

Instead of starting from scratch:

  • Use File > New → choose a template (.DWT)
  • Or type NEW → select acad.dwt, acadiso.dwt, or your custom template

Templates preload:

  • Units
  • Layers
  • Styles (text, dimension)
  • Title blocks

Create your own template:
Set up a drawing, then SAVEAS → choose file type: .DWT


📤 6. Exporting and Sharing Files

  • To PDF: PLOT or EXPORTPDF – to create a printable version
  • To DXF: SAVEAS → choose DXF to share with other software
  • Etransmit: Gathers all files (Xrefs, fonts, etc.) into one zipped package

♻️ 7. Backup and Recovery

  • AutoCAD automatically creates .BAK files on save.
  • AutoSave files (.SV$) are saved periodically—location set under OPTIONS > Files > Automatic Save File Location.

To recover:

  1. Change .SV$ to .DWG
  2. Open in AutoCAD

💡 Tip: Enable autosave every 10 minutes or less.


🧠 Self-Check Questions

  1. What file type is used for your main drawing in AutoCAD?
  2. What’s the difference between Save and Save As?
  3. What is a .BAK file, and how do you use it?
  4. How can templates speed up your workflow?
  5. What should you do if AutoCAD crashes before you’ve saved?

📝 Practice Activity

  1. Open AutoCAD and create a simple drawing (e.g., rectangle + circle).
  2. Save it as Lesson1_FilePractice.dwg.
  3. Use SAVEAS to make a copy called Lesson1_FilePractice_v2.dwg.
  4. Export it as a PDF.
  5. Try saving it as a .DXF.
  6. Check your autosave folder and identify any .SV$ files created.

✅ Completion Checklist

✔ Learned major AutoCAD file types
✔ Practiced Save and Save As
✔ Created an organized folder structure
✔ Saved a drawing as a template
✔ Exported to PDF and DXF
✔ Located and understood autosave files