How to Restore .SLD Files from Formatted External Disks

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .SLD file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2025.

How to Restore .SLD Files from Formatted External Disks
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .SLD file?

Slide file created by the "mslide" program, which is included as part of the AutoCAD software installation; contains an image capture that is taken using the current view of the drawing; used for presentation materials during design reviews.

What Are Common Causes of ".SLD" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".SLD" (SolidWorks Drawing) files being lost or failing:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".SLD" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer or network drives.
  2. Hardware or software failure: Hardware issues such as hard drive failure, power outages, or software crashes can lead to the loss or corruption of ".SLD" files.
  3. File system errors: File system errors, such as bad sectors on the hard drive or file system corruption, can result in the loss or failure of ".SLD" files.
  4. Virus or malware attack: Malicious software can infect and corrupt ".SLD" files, making them inaccessible or unusable.
  5. Improper shutdown: If SolidWorks or the computer is shut down improperly while working on ".SLD" files, it can cause data loss or file corruption.
  6. Network issues: If ".SLD" files are stored on a network drive, issues with network connectivity or server problems can result in file loss or failure.
  7. Software compatibility issues: Upgrading or changing SolidWorks versions or using incompatible software can lead to ".SLD" file compatibility issues, making them unreadable or causing errors.
  8. Human error: Human errors, such as accidental overwriting, saving changes to a wrong file, or improper file handling, can also cause ".SLD" file loss or failure.

It is important to regularly back up ".SLD" files to prevent data loss and to have a reliable data recovery system in place in case of any file loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".SLD" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".SLD" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".SLD" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".SLD" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".SLD" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 5.0
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".SLD" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".SLD" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo autoCAD Slide File image file file?

Programs that open ".SLD" files

Windows
Autodesk AutoCAD 2020 Autodesk AutoCAD 2020

Additional Information

  • File type: AutoCAD Slide File

  • File extension: .SLD

  • Developer: Autodesk

  • Category: Raster Image Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: application/octet-stream

  • HEX: 41 75 74 6F 43 41 44 20 53 6C 69 64 65 0D 0A 1A

  • ASCII: AutoCAD Slide

  • File types that use the extension .SLD:

    • AutoCAD Slide File

    • Styled Layer Descriptor File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:14 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .SLD files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are some common reasons for experiencing difficulties in opening .SLD files and how can they be resolved?

    There could be several reasons for experiencing difficulties in opening .SLD files, including:

    1. Incompatible software: If you don't have the appropriate software installed to open .SLD files, you may encounter difficulties. .SLD files are typically associated with SolidWorks, a 3D CAD software.
    2. Outdated software version: If you have an older version of the software, it may not support the .SLD file format. In such cases, you may need to update your software to a newer version.
    3. File corruption: If the .SLD file is corrupted or incomplete, it may cause issues while opening. This can happen due to various reasons like incomplete downloads or storage errors.
    4. File association errors: If the file association for .SLD files is incorrect or misconfigured, your operating system may not recognize the file type properly, leading to opening difficulties.

    To resolve these difficulties, you can consider the following solutions:

    1. Install the appropriate software: Ensure that you have the correct software installed to open .SLD files. In this case, you need to have SolidWorks or a compatible CAD software.
    2. Update your software: If you already have SolidWorks installed but are using an older version, update it to the latest version. This will ensure compatibility with .SLD files.
    3. Repair or recover the file: If the .SLD file is corrupted, you can try using file repair tools or recovery software to fix the issue. These tools can often repair minor file corruptions.
    4. Check file integrity: If you suspect a download or storage error, try downloading the .SLD file again from a reliable source. Additionally, check your storage device for any errors or run disk repair utilities.
    5. Adjust file associations: If your operating system is not recognizing .SLD files correctly, you can manually adjust the file associations. Right-click on the file, select "Open with," and choose the appropriate software to associate with .SLD files.

    If none of these solutions work, it may be helpful to consult the software's documentation, seek support from the software provider, or reach out to relevant online forums or communities for further assistance.

  • Are there any specific software programs or tools that can help in fixing problems with opening .SLD files?

    Yes, there are several software programs and tools that can help in fixing problems with opening .SLD files. Some of these include:

    1. SolidWorks: SolidWorks is a popular computer-aided design (CAD) software that can open and edit .SLD files. If you are facing issues with opening .SLD files, updating or reinstalling SolidWorks may help resolve the problem.
    2. FreeCAD: FreeCAD is a free and open-source CAD software that can also open .SLD files. It provides various tools and features to view and edit CAD files, including .SLD files.
    3. eDrawings Viewer: eDrawings Viewer is a free software from SolidWorks that allows you to view and share .SLD files. It provides an interactive and dynamic 3D environment to explore CAD files.
    4. Online file converters: There are several online file converters available that can help convert .SLD files to other formats like .STL or .STEP. Converting the file format might help if the issue is related to compatibility with your current software.
    5. CAD file repair software: There are specialized CAD file repair software programs available that can help fix issues with corrupted or damaged .SLD files. These tools analyze and repair the file structure, allowing you to open the file without any problems.

    It is recommended to try different tools and approaches to resolve issues with opening .SLD files, as the best solution may vary depending on the specific problem you are facing.

  • Are there any alternative file formats or conversion methods that can be used to overcome issues with opening .SLD files?

    Yes, there are alternative file formats and conversion methods that can be used to overcome issues with opening .SLD files. Here are a few options:

    1. Convert SLD to XML: SLD (Styled Layer Descriptor) files are typically written in XML format. If you are having trouble opening a .SLD file, you can try converting it to XML using a text editor or a file conversion tool. Once converted, you may be able to open and view the file's contents more easily.
    2. Use a GIS software: SLD files are commonly used in Geographic Information System (GIS) software. If you are unable to open the .SLD file directly, try opening it with a GIS software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or MapInfo. These software applications are designed to work with various spatial data formats, including SLD.
    3. Convert to a different format: If you need to use the styling information from the .SLD file in a different software or platform, you can convert it to a compatible format. Some GIS software allows you to export or save SLD files in different formats like ESRI Layer File (.lyr) or Mapbox Style (.json). These alternative formats can be opened in other software or platforms that support them.
    4. Seek online converters: There are online file conversion services available that can convert SLD files to other formats. You can search for "SLD to [desired format] converter" to find suitable online tools. However, exercise caution while using online converters and ensure that you are using a reputable and secure service.

    Remember to always make a backup copy of your original .SLD file before attempting any conversions or modifications.
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