Blocks Palette Libraries - AutoCAD Mac 2021

[Anonymous]

Where are block libraries saved to, and it what file format? Is there a way to share a Block Library with other users? It is nice that you can easily insert an entire DWG with individual blocks loaded in, but is there a way to link a library to a folder from the server so that it updates automatically when other users add blocks to that folder in the server? What happens if you upgrade to a new version of CAD or switch computers? Would all the work of curating these blocks be lost? Unless these issues can be solved, it seems that the best way to maintain a library of blocks is by saving them all to a combined DWG file, or as independent blocks in a folder, and drag them in from the Finder window, both of which seem archaic to me.

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi Alex,

>>>>Where are block libraries saved to, and it what file format?

Block libraries are saved in "~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2021/R24.0/roaming/@****@/Support/ToolPalette" folder

@Anonymous@ depends on AutoCAD language you are using: for English it is @Anonymous@@

The format of the Block libraries files is .ATC (AutoCAD tool palettes file)

>>>>>is there a way to link a library to a folder from the server so that it updates automatically when other users add blocks to that folder in the server?

I don't think so - in order to update Block library in AutoCAD, you need to delete it from Blocks palette with "Manage libraries" window and then add it again.

>>>>>What happens if you upgrade to a new version of CAD? 

Cannot say for sure, but after Migration assistant was introduced in AutoCAD for Mac, blocks libraries successfully migrate to the new version on upgrade from previous version.  At the same time, no one gives a guarantee that nothing will change in the new version of the AutoCAD.

>>>>>What happens if you switch computers?? 

You can try to copy "ToolPalette" folder from one machine to another, but the path to the drawings in block libraries should be the same on all machines for everything to work correctly.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the quick reply. 

Regarding the saved .ATC file - the closest I can get to that file location is this: 
/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/acadlt2021F/ASR/installed.txt

There is no subfolder with any other application support files. Assuming I can properly locate the .ATC file, is it possible to change the path to search a different folder when loading .ATC files so that it can be a shared folder in the server?

Thanks again for your help.

Alex

[maxim_k]

Alex,

You have not mentioned that you are using AutoCAD LT (not full AutoCAD version).

For AutoCAD LT 2021 for Mac custom block libraries are in  "~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD LT 2021 Standalone/R24.0/roaming/@en@/Support/ToolPalette" folder - for English version.

Note that I am talking about the Library folder inside your Home folder, but not about Library folder in the root of the your Mac drive.

[Anonymous]

Hi Maxim,

Thank you, I finally figured out how to get there. The issue is that on Mac, they hide the "Library" folder from Finder menu unless you click the "Go" dropdown on the top menu bar, then click "Option" to make "Library" appear from the dropdown menu. It is annoying that Apple does this, but an important step that I would include in future instructions. I do not believe that this is actually within the "Home" folder.

Do the .ACT contain the blocks themselves, including the line work, geometry, line  type, color, etc, or is it simply a list of the blocks that it references, which are saved elsewhere?

Thanks again for your help

[maxim_k]

@Anonymous 

>>>>>Do the .ACT contain the blocks themselves, including the line work, geometry, line  type, color, etc, or is it simply a list of the blocks that it references, which are saved elsewhere?

It contains information about path to Library drawing and the name of the particular block inside this drawing.

[emiliomoncada68]

Hello Maxim,

I am encountering a similar problem now in 2025. I located the AutoCAD LT 2026 Standalone, yet the only folder in there is one called UPI. I cannot find anything similar to R24. 

Do you happen to know any solution? 

Thank you for your time. 

- Emilio

[maxim_k]

Hi Emilio,

@emiliomoncada68 

You are looking in the wrong place. 

As I mentioned >>>here<<< you need to go to the Library folder inside your Home folder, but not to the Library folder in the root of the your Mac drive.

The full path will be:

/Users/YOUR_USER_NAME/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD LT 2026 Standalone/......

where YOUR_USER_NAME  is your account name.

[emiliomoncada68]

Hello Maxim, 

Thank you very much for your reply. 

Unfortunately, I don't see a folder named "Library" inside /Users/USERNAME/. That file is only found in the root drive, and the only similar folder I see is Applications. 

Would you know a way around this?

Thank you again for your support after so many years since the last post in this forum. 

Kindly, 

Emilio.

 

[maxim_k]

Hi Emilio,

Library folder inside your Home folder is hidden by default.

The easiest way to access it:

Launch Finder and select Go. In the expanded menu, press the option key to make the Library visible. You can now select Library to view the user library files.

For more methods, see  >>>>here<<<<

[emiliomoncada68]

Hello Maxim,

Thank you so much for your response. I finally found them.

Just a question. Is there less variety of blocks in Mac AutoCAD? I have seen some in Windows that I am unable to find on my Mac. 

I appreciate your support. 

[maxim_k]

Hello Emilio,

>>>>>Is there less variety of blocks in Mac AutoCAD?

If you mean sample blocks, then - yes.

There are many free AutoCAD blocks available on the Internet. You can search for them yourself or look here to get started:

https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/cad-blocks

If you need standard AutoCAD for Windows blocks library, you can find it >>>>here<<<<.