Using the Save tab on the Options dialog box, you can automatically create and store backup copies of unsaved and modified documents while working in Solid Edge. You can use the Save tab to set the frequency for the backups and set the folder where you want to save the backup files. You can select the Automatically Preserve Documents option and then either save all documents or create backup copies of unsaved documents at specific time intervals.
Note:
You can press Ctrl+ Shift+ B to start the auto backup process. Once the process runs, the automatic backup timer resets.
The Creating Uniquely-Named Backup Copies of All Unsaved Documents XX Minutes option allows you to define the interval for creating backup copies. If the timer expires and there are no unsaved or modified documents, the timer automatically resets. The timer does not reset when you save a document, but it does reset if you use the Save All to save all documents in the session.
The Backup Model Files option allows you to back up model files. The Backup Draft Files option allows you to back up draft files. These options are only enabled when the Creating Uniquely-Named Backup Copies of All Unsaved Documents XX Minutes option is selected and they are turned on by default.
Solid Edge creates a backup file named [filename]_[geometric version number]_SEBackup.csv. This file contains information needed to restore the file, such as name and path of the original document and the time and date of the last save for the document. By default, the backup files are stored in \Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Unigraphics Solutions\Solid Edge\Version #\SEBackup.
You can use the File Locations tab on the Options dialog box to specify a different location for the backup files. To specify a different location, on the File Locations tab on the Options dialog box, select Backup Folder Location and then click Modify. You can then browse to the drive and folder for the backup files. After specifying a new file location, click Update to change the location. You cannot store the backup files on a mapped network drive, an Insight managed library, or local Insight cache. If you change the backup folder, any existing backup files are moved to the new backup folder. Since these files may be quite large, you should make sure that you specify a location with plenty of available disk space.
Note:
You can use Solid Edge Administrator to control a user's ability to change the location of the backup folder.
When you back up part and sheet metal files, Solid Edge does not save:
Triangle cache
Preview bitmap
Parasolid data
G-type cache
When you back up assembly files, Solid Edge does not save the preview bitmap. Solid Edge does not compress files during backup.
When an automatic backup begins, the status bar displays information about the files being backed up. It indicates the number of files being saved, the number of the file that is currently being saved, and the name of the file that is currently being saved. You can press Esc to interrupt the backup process.
Autobackup is designed so that it will not interrupt you in the middle of a command.
If the timer expires during a condition that allows you to save data, such as working in the Profile environment, Autobackup does not run until you are in select mode or until you select another command.
For stackable commands, such as the measure or view commands, the command stack must be cleared before Autobackup runs. If the timer expires while you are in a stackable command, Autobackup waits for the stack to clear or for you to start a new command.
If the timer expires during a non-stackable command where saving is allowed, Autobackup does not run until you select another command.
If the timer expires while you are in an environment where saving is not allowed, Autobackup does not run until you enter an environment where saving is allowed.
There are a few factors that determine whether or not the backup files are deleted from your system. For example, if Solid Edge aborts, the backup files do not get deleted from the system. A backup file is deleted when you save the current version of the backup file, close and save the current version of the backup file, or close without save the current version of the backup file. Backup files are purged after you recover the files.
You use AutoRestore.exe, located in \Program Files\Solid Edge ST5\Program folder, to restore files from backup.
To run the executable, double-click AutoRestore.exe. On the Please Find the CSV File dialog box, select the file you want to restore and click Open. On the Solid Edge Autobackup Restore Utility dialog box, select the files you want to restore and click Restore. When prompted, very you want to restore the selected files and click Yes. You can view the results in \Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Unigraphics Solutions\Solid EdgeST5\SEBackup\autobackup_restore_log.txt.
If the Automatically Preserve Documents option on the Save tab of the Options dialog box is selected when a crash occurs, AutoRestore.exe runs automatically when you reopen a file in Solid Edge. You can choose to either restore the backed up files or cancel the operation. If there are no files in the backup file, AutoRestore.exe does not run. When AutoRestore runs automatically, the backed up document is restored before it is open. If you use Move or Copy in Windows Explorer to manually restore a file, Solid Edge recomputes the file when it is opened.
Note:
When you restore a model file, Solid Edge regenerates the triangle cache and delta state information for the file.