Where are AutoCAD LT 2021 MAC Settings/Preferences Files located on macOS Big Sur?

[Darryl-CGA]

All I want to do is copy/import/transfer AutoCAD LT MAC 2021 Settings/Preferences to a clean installation on a different macOS drive? That's it. I can't find the files or any clear instructions on how to do it. It's one thing when I install a new ACAD version and it migrates the settings over after opening, but I can't figure out where this is located. It really should be easier than this by now. Also, is there anything else I need to do, or copy, to make the new installation identical to the original? I want to avoid copying any old, unnecessary, files that mess it up. Too many years of ACAD and macOS updates, new releases and migrating to new iMacs.

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Hi @Darryl-CGA ,

There is no official way to migrate custom settings to another Mac, but you can try to export them manually.

All customization is inside two folders:
~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD LT 2021 Standalone/R24.0/local
and
~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD LT 2021 Standalone/R24.0/roaming

Note that the Library folder is Library folder inside user Home folder, you can reach it from Finder, using menu Go->Library.

Don't forget to backup custom AutoCAD settings on target Mac before you migrate folders I mentioned above from another Mac.

After moving your own settings to the new machine in the same location, they will be applied automatically when you first open a new version of AutoCAD on that same machine. 

[Darryl-CGA]

So just copy the original ~/R24.0... folder to same location on new macOS drive?

I was going to copy this Preferences file: /Users/name/Library/Preferences/com.autodesk.AutoCADLT2021_StandAlone.plist


Why can't Autodesk make this easier, like opening Apple apps and syncing with iCloud, or through the app; either asking upon first opening it ("Do you want to import preferences from other location.."?) or same through Menu > File > Import Preferences? It should not be this complicated.

[maxim_k]

@Darryl-CGA 

>>>>So just copy the original ~/R24.0... folder to same location on new macOS drive?

Yes.

On the new Mac you should have the same 

~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD LT 2021 Standalone/R24.0/local
and
~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD LT 2021 Standalone/R24.0/roaming

folders as on the old Mac.

[Darryl-CGA]

Update:

I copied over the ~/R24.. folder and ~/com.autodesk.AutoCADLT2021_StandAlone.plist file and it seems to be working.


One other quick question; where should I save Dunn-Edwards Color Books file?

[maxim_k]

>>>>>One other quick question; where should I save Dunn-Edwards Color Books file?

If it is your custom color book, you can out it to

~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD LT 2021 Standalone/R24.0/roaming/@en@/Support/color

folder.

Just check the correct location of color books on Application tab of AutoCAD LT Application Preferences window.

[Darryl-CGA]

It's just the ACAD DE Color Book download.

[Darryl-CGA]

I don't see a "color folder".

Do I just copy the DE CB folder with all the different /.acb color files to that ~.../Support folder and update Pref. path?

[maxim_k]

>>>>I don't see a "color folder".

You can create it and copy .acb files to it

[Darryl-CGA]

Is this still the only way to transfer User Settings/Prefs from/to same/diff. version of ACAD LT Mac and between different Macs (macOS)? Here is my situation.

Old Mac: 2019 iMac Intel (macOS Big Sur) w/ latest AutoCAD LT 2022 Mac installed and migrated settings from 2021.

New Mac: 2020 Mac mini M1 (macOS Monterey) AutoCAD LT 2022 Mac.

I've searched and searched and just become more confused, stressed, by all the different/conflicting instructions from Autodesk Help. Most of them are for AutoCAD, or Windows,...etc.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-i...

Again, this should all be synced through Autodesk Account sign in, like macOS apps and iCloud, or Export>Settings from AutoCAD LT.

It's absolutely ridiculous how time consuming this is to figure out when you've only performed it once or twice in 15-20 years. 

[maxim_k]

Hi @Darryl-CGA ,

AutoCAD 2023 for Mac (both LT and  full versions) has >>>>this<<<< new feature you asked about.

[mitchelllance]

Hi @maxim_k,

I could use help on similar issue. I need to migrate settings from AutoCad Mac 2025 to AutoCad Mac LT 2026. I can no longer access 2025 version to export settings. I have tried the terminal solution from your link by pasting this :

./AdMigrator -e

However, the terminal writes : "No such file or directory." I have also tried to paste in this:  

/Applications/Autodesk/AutoCAD\ 2025/AutoCAD\ 2025.app/Contents/Helpers/AdMigrator.app/Contents/MacOS/.

And terminal will write back this:

-bash: /Applications/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2025/AutoCAD 2025.app/Contents/Helpers/AdMigrator.app/Contents/MacOS/.: is a directory

I am not very familiar with how to use Terminal. Can you help ? Thank you 

[maxim_k]

Hi @mitchelllance ,

If you previously used AutoCAD 2025 for Mac (full version) and now have AutoCAD LT 2026 for Mac (LT version), you cannot migrate settings from the full (2025) version to the LT (2026) version.

Plus, there is a mistake in the Help article:

The full path to the AdMigrator utility should be:

/Applications/Autodesk/AutoCAD\ 2025/AutoCAD\ 2025.app/Contents/Helpers/AdMigrator.app/Contents/MacOS/AdMigrator

[mitchelllance]

Hi @maxim_k

Thanks for your reply....

I feared this might be the case. Is there a way to copy over just plot settings, or keyboards shortcuts? 

[maxim_k]

Hi @mitchelllance ,

Not sure what do you mean by "plot settings", but you can find:

- plotter configuration files .PC3 inside "/Users/YOU_USER_NAME/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2025/R25.0/roaming/@en@/Plotters" folder

- Plot Style table files - inside "/Users/YOU_USER_NAME/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2025/R25.0/roaming/@en@/Plotters/Plot Styles" folder

- custom shortcuts are stored in Accelerator.cui file inside "/Users/YOU_USER_NAME/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2025/R25.0/roaming/CUI" folder

You can try to replace existing files in LT installation with files from the AC 2025. Just in case, make backups before replacing.