How To Setup Autosave In Blender

Dianna Russini

3 min read

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Mar 29, 2025

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How to Setup Autosave in Blender: A Step-by-Step Guide

Losing hours, or even days, of work on a complex Blender project can be devastating. That's why setting up autosave is crucial for any serious Blender user. This guide will walk you through configuring Blender's autosave feature, ensuring your hard work is consistently backed up and safe.

Understanding Blender's Autosave Functionality

Blender doesn't have a built-in, automatic, "save-every-x-minutes" function like some other software. Instead, it relies on a versioning system and auto-saving of temporary files. This means Blender periodically saves temporary files, allowing you to recover your work in case of crashes. However, these temporary files aren't automatically converted to permanent .blend files. You still need to manually save your progress regularly.

Setting Up Versioning: The Closest Thing to Autosave

While not a true autosave, Blender's versioning system provides similar protection. This system creates backup versions of your file at regular intervals as you work. While not a replacement for regular manual saves, this provides a safety net in case of unexpected closures.

How to Enable Versioning:

1. Open Blender's Preferences: Go to Edit > Preferences (or press Ctrl + Alt + U).
2. Navigate to "Save & Load": In the Preferences window, find the "Save & Load" tab.
3. Enable "Auto Save Version": Check the box next to "Auto Save Version."
4. Adjust the "Version Count": You can adjust the number of previous versions Blender keeps. A higher number means more safety, but consumes more disk space. A reasonable starting point is 5-10 versions.
5. Set the "Save Interval": Determine how frequently you want Blender to create a new version. This is measured in minutes of continuous work. A value of 5-10 minutes is a good balance between safety and disk usage.

Leveraging Blender's Temporary Files

Blender constantly saves temporary files to a designated folder. These files are crucial for recovering unsaved work after a crash. The location of these temporary files depends on your operating system, but they're usually within a folder related to Blender's temporary files.

How to Access Temporary Files After a Crash:

• Locate the Temporary File Folder: The exact location varies by OS, but searching your computer for files with a .blend1 or similar extension is a good starting point. The file names will often contain a timestamp to help you identify the most recent versions.
• Open the Temporary .blend file: Once located, simply open the most recent .blend1 file in Blender.

Important Considerations:

• Manual Saving is Still Essential: While versioning and temporary files provide a safety net, regular manual saving remains the best practice. Save your work frequently, especially after completing significant sections of your project.
• Disk Space: Keeping many versions and temporary files consumes disk space. Consider adjusting the version count and save interval according to your available storage and project size.
• File Management: Periodically review and delete older version files to keep your storage organized.

Boosting Your Workflow with External Backup Solutions

Consider supplementing Blender's internal mechanisms with external backup solutions. Consider using cloud storage services or automated backup software to create regular backups of your entire project folder. This additional layer of protection ensures complete data security.

By following these steps and incorporating good file management practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of losing your valuable Blender work. Remember, the combination of regular manual saves, Blender's versioning system, and external backups provides the strongest protection for your projects.