When I boot AutoCAD for Mac 2024 it shows the splash screen but crashes any time I attempt to open a file or create a new file.

[alastair_leith]

One day Autocad for Mac 2024 was working perfectly, next morning it continuously crashed on booting once I choose a file to open or a template file with which to create a new drawing file.

I uninstalled using the Uninstall AutoCAD app and reinstalled it (the same, current version, 24.3.61.182). No change.

I found a directory in the Autodesk folder called Adml with other directories in it and the LMU app so I removed that in case it contained preferences that were borking AutoCAD at startup. No change.

Still haven't combed through the ~/Library/…
Macintosh HD/Library/…

Macintosh HD/System/…
directories looking for pref files that could be effecting the start up.

I emailed support and haven't heard back, it's been nearly 24 hours. I tried to set up a support chat, was 19th in cue for about 20 minutes and left the room. Came back and I missed the support agent. Tried again and it's now telling me since I have an education license I can't get any support at all. Which, given how badly it's crashing and that I can't get any drawing done at all is a bit extreme. Adobe and many others support staff and students in territory education, at least with chat if not phone calls. So to Google Workspace for Non-Profits which is also provided free to qualifying NGOs.

I read two support docs which didn't help any. I have made sure ACAD has "Full Disk Access" in System Prefs. 

[pendean]

What is your exact MacOS version please?
And can you confirm you installed the AutoCAD2024.1 update? It does not self-install, you have to seek it out to install it.

[alastair_leith]

as per OP:

(the same, current version, 24.3.61.182).

That version number is from macOS the "Get Info" window.

I checked for updates a few days ago and I wasn't aware of any updating/don't recall finding anything. I went looking but didn't find the update you are talking about.

When I goto About AutoCAD (the only thing I can do) it shows Product Version U.61.M.182.

Thanks.

[alastair_leith]

ok I found the only AutoCAD for Mac 2024 update and it's called "2024.0.1 Hotfix".

having now installed it, no improvement.

[pendean]

24.3.61.182 is AutoCAD's 2024 version. MacOS is... https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201260#:~:text=From%20the%20Apple%20menu%20%EF%A3%BF,version%20num....

[maxim_k]

Hi @alastair_leith ,

Please specify your Mac model and macOS version installed on your Mac.

If it is Beta version of macOS Sonoma (14.0), then AutoCAD for Mac is currently not supported on it.

If it is Ventura or earlier version - try to create new admin account on your Mac, login to it and launch AutoCAD. Does the problem persists?

[alastair_leith]

Hi @maxim_k , thanks for the advice. It occurred to me last night to use my clean user account to try running ACAD to see if it is indeed prefs or some other user settings.

So turns out ACAD seems to be working fine in my "Mr Clean" user account which I only really use for the purposes of testing if bugs and crashing carry over to that account. 

Mac: M1 Mini, 8 GB RAM connected to two 27" 4K displays.
macOS: Ventura 13.2.1

So my next question would be where is the documentation which indicates where the files Autodesk installs into the ~/Library/ and /System/Library folders etc etc

I pulled seven or so files from the ~/Preferences/ folder and basically everything I could find with Autocad or Autodesk in the file name but it still crashes on Open… or New… commands. 

I'm attaching a set of the crash logs and files to this post if anybody here knows how to decipher them for clues to a way forward.

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Hi @alastair_leith ,

>>>>>So my next question would be where is the documentation which indicates where the files Autodesk installs into the ~/Library/ and /System/Library folders etc etc

Please look at these articles:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Clean-uninstall-of...

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Clean-uninstall-of...

[alastair_leith]

So the clean install process worked, thanks @maxim_k. Interestingly the support desk agent was completely disinterested in helping me when I finally got connected to someone. What a terrible experience! I left some strong feedback with Autodesk. The agent didn't even know about their own clean install support documentation when I specifically asked for it. Pathetic really, treated my like dirt because I only have an education license. Apple don't discriminate, neither do Adobe (who have their own customer service and QA issues but that's for a different forum!) or a bunch of other major software corporations.