Access and control backup file options in SOLIDWORKS Composer

SOLIDWORKS Composer stores a backup of the original document before any changes are saved to the file. It is one version before the last saved version of the document. SOLIDWORKS Composer Backup file settings/options can be accessed through File > Preferences > Application Preferences dialog box opens > Advance settings.  Ensure that Show Advanced Properties Only is turned off, in order to show the AutoSave options.

Accessing backup settings

Autosave advanced setting:

Automatically backs up the currently open Composer files in a backup folder, at the interval specified by the AutoSaveInterval setting.

The Backup folder is located in the User folder specified in the Application Paths page in File > Preferences.

AutoSave Interval setting:

Specifies the interval, in minutes, at which the currently open Composer files are to be backed up in the backup folder.

AutoSave versioning advanced setting:

Allows versioning by creating an additional backup version of the currently open Composer files in the backup folder, at the interval specified by the AutoSaveInterval setting. In this case, for a given Composer file, backup versions are saved in a dedicated folder in the User\backup folder (the folder name being the same as the file name). The file name format is filename_YYYYMMDD_HHMM (current year, month, day, hour, minute).

Clear the above option if you want each backup to overwrite the previous one.

AutoSave versioning max number of files:

When AutoSaveVersioning is selected, specifies the maximum number of backup files to keep. The higher the number, the more disk space will be required. The value has to entered between 1 and 100.

Gain more SOLIDWORKS Composer Skills

To learn more attend our SOLIDWORKS Composer Essentials training course either in a Canadian classroom near you or Live Online.