SketchUp Backup File Location: Where to Find and Recover Your Files

Losing your work in SketchUp can be frustrating, but fortunately, SketchUp automatically creates backup files. Knowing where these files are stored can help you recover lost work quickly. Here’s everything you need to know about SketchUp backup file locations.

Default Backup File Location

SketchUp automatically saves a .skb (Windows) or ~.skp (Mac) backup file whenever you save your project. By default, these files are stored in the same directory as your original .skp file.

Windows:

• The backup file has the same name as your original file but with a .skb extension.
• Example:
  • Original file: my_project.skp
  • Backup file: my_project.skb

Mac:

• The backup file starts with a tilde (~) before the .skp extension.
• Example:
  • Original file: my_project.skp
  • Backup file: ~my_project.skp

Autosave File Location

In addition to backups, SketchUp also generates autosave files in case of a crash. These files are typically found in a system-specific location.

Windows:

• Navigate to:C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\SketchUp\SketchUp [Version]\SketchUp\Autosave
• The file name usually starts with AutoSave_ followed by your original file name.

Mac:

• Navigate to:~/Library/Application Support/SketchUp [Version]/SketchUp/Autosave
• The autosave file follows a similar naming format as in Windows.

Recovering Backup and Autosave Files

To recover a lost file:

1. Look in the original file directory for the .skb or ~.skp backup file.
2. If unavailable, check the autosave location.
3. Rename the backup or autosave file to remove the extra characters (e.g., change ~my_project.skp to my_project.skp).
4. Open the renamed file in SketchUp.

Preventing Data Loss

To ensure you don’t lose work in the future:

• Enable Autosave under Preferences > General and set a frequent interval.
• Regularly save and back up your projects to cloud storage or an external drive.
• Consider using version control or project management tools for added security.

By knowing where to find your SketchUp backup files, you can quickly recover lost work and keep your projects safe.