Troubleshooting

Find the symptom, check the cause and apply the fix. If nothing here matches, make a support zip and contact Support.

AFDIM does not load

Unknown command "AFDIM"

Cause	Fix
AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD 2012 or earlier, or 32-bit AutoCAD	AFDIM does not support these. AutoCAD LT has no .NET API. AFDIM needs full 64-bit AutoCAD® 2013 or later.
AutoCAD version not supported	AFDIM runs on AutoCAD and AutoCAD Mechanical 2013 to 2027, 64-bit. The versions 2014, 2016 to 2018 and 2027 are experimental. AutoCAD 2013 to 2020 also need .NET Framework 4.7.2. If you added an AutoCAD version after installing AFDIM, run the latest installer over your install. An in-app update keeps only the AutoCAD versions of the previous install. The Detected AutoCAD page of the installer marks each installation [COVERED] or [SKIPPED].
AutoCAD was open during installation	AutoCAD looks for plugins only when it starts. Close every AutoCAD window, then start AutoCAD again.
Installed under another Windows account	A default install is for one Windows user. Install again while you are signed in as the user who runs AutoCAD, or ask IT for a machine-wide install.
Company policy blocks the plugin	If policy sets SECURELOAD or TRUSTEDPATHS, ask IT to allow the ApplicationPlugins folder that AFDIM is installed in. Do not lower SECURELOAD.
You chose not to load AFDIM in the AutoCAD security dialog	Restart AutoCAD. When AutoCAD asks again, check that the publisher is TO VAN TIN and that the path contains …\ApplicationPlugins\AFDIM.bundle\…, then choose the option that always loads it. See Install.
Antivirus quarantined a file in %APPDATA%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\AFDIM.bundle\Contents\<version>\, also after an update	Open the quarantine or protection history of the antivirus and look for Afdim.dll. Before you restore anything, email support the name of the antivirus and its message. Then restore the file and restart AutoCAD. See Antivirus warnings.

If AFDIM still does not load, run the installer again with /LOG="C:\path\afdim.log". Send the log and your AutoCAD version to Support.

The installer refuses to run

AFDIM is already installed with the other install type. You are installing for all users but a one-user install exists, or the reverse. The two installs cannot exist together. The installer message names the uninstaller of the existing copy. Run that uninstaller, then run the new installer.

SmartScreen stops the installer

The installer is code-signed by TO VAN TIN, but the certificate is new, so SmartScreen may still warn. Choose More info, check the file name and that the publisher is TO VAN TIN, then choose Run anyway. The wording depends on your Windows language. See Install.

The first run is slow

The first AFDIM run after AutoCAD starts can take a few seconds longer than the runs after it. This is normal.

AFDIM needs to be reinstalled

AFDIM checks its own program files before it does anything else, even before it checks the licence. In both cases below, nothing is drawn and AutoCAD stays open.

Symptom	Cause	Fix
[AFDIM] Cannot run: the AFDIM program files on this computer are not intact. Reinstall AFDIM from afdim.com. and a window titled AFDIM needs to be reinstalled	A file in the AFDIM program folder is damaged, changed or missing, or a DLL or EXE that AFDIM did not ship is in that folder. Usual causes: an interrupted download or copy, an antivirus that quarantined or changed a file, or disk damage.	Press Open the download page and download the installer. Close AutoCAD, then run the installer over your install. Your settings and your licence are kept. If an antivirus quarantined a file, first email support the name of the antivirus and its message. See Antivirus warnings.
[AFDIM] Cannot run: another program is holding the AFDIM program files. Run AFDIM again. and a window titled AFDIM could not check its program files	Another program, often an antivirus scan, is holding the files.	Run AFDIM again. If this keeps happening, tell Support the name of your antivirus.

AFDIM refuses to run

Without a valid licence, AFDIM does not run. The command line prints [AFDIM] Cannot run: <reason> Activate it in Settings > About., where <reason> is the text in the second column of the table. The AFDIM is not activated window also opens. On a computer that has never had a licence, this window is titled Welcome to AFDIM. The Licence group of the About tab in the settings dialog shows the same status and has the buttons named in the table.

Status (dialog)	Reason (command line)	What to do
Not activated	AFDIM is not activated.	Click Start 7-day trial (trial).
Expired	the licence has expired.	Renew. With a licence key, AFDIM collects the new end date by itself within a day. To have it at once, enter the same key again. Without a licence key, send a new request with the plan you want, then load the new file with Load licence….
This machine has changed	this computer is no longer recognised.	You have not lost the licence. With a licence key, enter it again. Without a licence key, choose Request licence and send the request. The same licence is issued again. See Move to another computer.
Issued for another machine	this licence was issued for another computer.	The file belongs to another computer. Choose Request licence on this computer. With a licence key, ask for a move instead. See Move to another computer.
Licence file is not valid	the licence file is not valid.	Load the original license.json again with Load licence…. If that does not help, contact support.
Not valid yet	the licence is not valid yet - check this computer's date and time.	Check the date and time in Windows (Windows Settings › Time & language › Set time automatically), then try again. The wording depends on your Windows language. If the status stays, contact support.
Install is older than the licence allows	this version is older than the licence allows.	Update AFDIM. On the About tab, press Check now and then Update now in the Updates group. Or install the latest version from Download.
Install is newer than the licence covers	this version is newer than the licence covers.	Contact support with your request code, which Request licence shows.
Released after your update period	this version was released after the licence's update period.	A perpetual licence covers the versions released up to the date that the Licence group shows (updates until …). Renew the updates with Buy / Renew, then enter your licence key again. Or go back to the version you had, with Go back to <version> in the Updates group.
Licence withdrawn	the licence has been withdrawn.	The licence was refunded, or moved to another computer. If you think this is a mistake, write to support@afdim.com with your request code.

Full details: Activate a licence.

A run can also stop with [AFDIM] The licence could not be confirmed during the run. This run's output was discarded; run AFDIM again. This is not a licence problem. The licence file was busy, or had just been renewed, while AFDIM was working. Run AFDIM again. See If the licence changes during a run.

The licence could not be saved

AFDIM writes the licence on this computer when you start the trial, activate a licence key, load a licence file or move a licence.

Message	Cause	Fix
The licence could not be saved on this computer. Close the other CAD windows and try again. If this continues, contact support.	AFDIM could not get exclusive access to the licence on this computer, for example because another CAD window is using it.	Close the other CAD windows and try again. If the message continues, contact Support.
The key is released, but local licence cleanup could not be completed. Close the other CAD windows and try moving the licence again on this computer. Then the steps for the new computer	The licence server has released the key, but AFDIM could not finish removing the licence from this computer.	Close the other CAD windows. Then try Move licence to another computer… again on this computer. See Move to another computer.

The settings were reset or cannot be opened

Symptom	Cause	Fix
A window titled AFDIM settings were reset to defaults	The file %APPDATA%\AFDIM\settings.json was damaged and AFDIM could not read it. AFDIM kept a copy as settings.json.corrupt and uses the default settings.	Press OK. Open the settings dialog and set your dimension layer, tolerances and templates again before you dimension more. When the window names settings.json.bak, that file holds the save made before the damaged one.
A window titled Settings could not be opened, or [AFDIM] Cannot run: the settings file is in use by another program and could not be read. Your settings are untouched - try again in a moment.	Another program is holding settings.json. AFDIM stops instead of working with the default settings.	Wait a moment and try again. Your settings are not changed. If this keeps happening, close the programs that may read that folder, such as a backup or sync tool.

Updates

The command line does not print the update status. The status line in the Updates group of the About tab (settings dialog) says what is wrong. The orange dot on the Settings button of the ribbon and on the About tab marks only a new version that needs you. A network error shows in the status line alone.

A line that ends with … is shortened here. The full text of every status line is on Updates.

Status line	Fix
This installation cannot update itself: …	The install is for all users (/ALLUSERS), was installed with /NOAUTOUPDATE, or this Windows user cannot write to the AFDIM folder. IT updates the computer by running the new installer. See Deployment.
Version <version> is available but does not run on this computer …	The release does not support your AutoCAD or Windows version. Stay on your version.
Version <version> is available but must be installed with its installer. …	Download the installer from Download and run it over your install. Then restart AutoCAD.
Version <version> is available, but your perpetual licence covers the versions released up to <date>. …	Your perpetual licence does not cover that release, and your version keeps working. To get the release, renew the updates.
The new version comes with new terms of use, which must be read and accepted before updating.	Press Update now and choose I have read and agree.
Version <version> is available with new terms of use that have not been published yet …, or a window titled Version <version> comes with new terms that have not been published yet	AFDIM cannot show the new terms, so it holds the update back. Your version keeps working. Contact support.
Could not reach the update server. …	The update server did not answer. Check the internet connection or the proxy, then press Check now.
This computer's date and time are behind the update server. …	Correct the date and time in Windows, then press Check now.
The update feed could not be verified. …	Download the installer from Download and run it over your install. If the line keeps coming back, contact support.
Version <version> could not be installed. …	Press Update now again. If it fails again, press Create support zip… in the Support group of the same tab and send the zip to support.
Could not go back to the previous version; the current one is unchanged. The details are in the log.	Press Create support zip… in the Support group of the same tab and send the zip to support.

AFDIM fails since an update

If runs began to fail after an in-app update, go back to the version you had. Press Go back to <version> in the Updates group of the About tab, then restart AutoCAD. Until the new version has finished a run without errors, a failed run also prints this line:

[AFDIM] Version <version> was installed by the last update and has not completed a run yet. If this error started with the update: Settings > About > Go back to <previous>.

<version> is the version that the update installed. <previous> is the version you can go back to. See Go back to the previous version, and tell Support what went wrong.

The run finished but nothing is visible

The command line reports dimensions, but none appear:

[AFDIM] Wrote <n> dimension(s) + <m> callout(s) on layer "<layer>".
[AFDIM] WARNING: layer "<layer>" is OFF, so the dimensions just written are NOT VISIBLE. Turn it on with the LAYER command.

The warning says FROZEN instead of OFF when the layer is frozen. AFDIM wrote the dimensions to a layer that is off or frozen. AFDIM does not switch your layers on. Turn the layer on or thaw it with LAYER, or choose another Dimension layer in Settings.

Nothing, or not everything, is dimensioned

Symptom	Cause	Fix
[AFDIM] Skipped <n> object(s) that are not lines or curves (<kinds>).	The selection held objects that are not lines or curves. <kinds> names their kinds.	Select LINE, ARC, CIRCLE, ELLIPSE, LWPOLYLINE, POLYLINE, SPLINE, blocks or regions.
[AFDIM] No CLOSED outline to dimension.	The outline has a linetype that is not continuous. Only curves whose effective linetype is Continuous form the outline of the part.	Check the linetype of the outline and of its layer. Change dashed or centre linetypes on the outline to Continuous.
[AFDIM] WARNING: no CLOSED outline found. Usually some lines do not meet (zoom into the corners, or JOIN/PEDIT them). If you are sure it is closed, send it to support: Settings > About > Support > Export the last run's geometry.	The outline is not closed: two curves do not meet.	Zoom into the corners and close the gap, or join the curves with JOIN or PEDIT. For tiny gaps, increase Point tolerance in Settings. If the outline is closed and the warning still appears, send support the geometry: Export the last run’s geometry… in the Support group of the About tab.
[AFDIM] Skipped <n> line(s) that are not part of a closed outline (not dimensioned)., or an area has no dimensions	These lines are not part of a closed outline: a line is a stray, or a gap leaves an area open. AFDIM does not dimension them.	Close the gap. For tiny gaps, increase Point tolerance in Settings.
Only one part has dimensions, and the command line says [AFDIM] WARNING: <n> separate parts selected; only the LARGEST was dimensioned. Run AFDIM again for: <sizes>.	You selected several separate parts. AFDIM dimensions the largest part. <sizes> gives the width and height of up to three skipped parts.	Run AFDIM once for each part.
[AFDIM] WARNING: <n> analysis step(s) failed, some dimensions may be MISSING. Send the drawing to support: Settings > About > Support > Export the last run's geometry.	One or more analysis steps failed, so dimensions may be missing.	Send support a geometry export (Export the last run’s geometry… in the Support group of the About tab) and a support zip.
[AFDIM] WARNING: <n> dimension/callout write(s) failed, some dimensions may be MISSING. Send the drawing to support: Settings > About > Support > Export the last run's geometry.	AutoCAD refused to write some dimensions or callouts, so some may be missing.	Send support a geometry export (Export the last run’s geometry… in the Support group of the About tab) and a support zip.
[AFDIM] Drawing unit unclear: dim text <h> high, <h2> after the dim scale; AFDIM is using millimetres. If the part is drawn in inches, select Inches in Settings > Drawing units.	AFDIM cannot tell whether the part is in millimetres or inches. The dimension text is less than 1 unit high on paper, which suggests inches. DIMSCALE or the annotation scale makes it 1 unit or more, which suggests millimetres. <h> is the height on paper and <h2> the height after the scale. AFDIM uses millimetres.	If the part is in inches, choose Inches in Drawing units (Settings › General › Dimensioning). If the part is in millimetres, choose Millimetres (mm) to stop the message. The setting applies to every drawing.
[AFDIM] The drawing has no declared unit; AFDIM is using inches from its dim text scale. Check Settings > Drawing units.	The drawing does not declare a unit (INSUNITS is 0), and its dimension text is less than 1 unit high. This is usual for inches, so AFDIM uses inches.	If the part is in inches, no action is needed. If the part is in millimetres, choose Millimetres (mm) in Drawing units. The drawing still looks like inches to AFDIM, so it then prints the message about forced units.
[AFDIM] AFDIM supports millimetres and inches; this other declared unit is being processed as millimetres. Select the correct unit in Settings > Drawing units.	The drawing declares a unit other than millimetres or inches, for example centimetres, metres or feet. AFDIM reads the coordinates as millimetres. It never rescales the drawing.	Choose Millimetres (mm) or Inches in Drawing units, whichever the coordinates of the part use.
[AFDIM] Settings force millimetres, but this drawing looks like it is drawn in inches. If that is wrong, select Automatic in Settings > Drawing units. or [AFDIM] Settings force inches, but this drawing looks like it is drawn in millimetres. If that is wrong, select Automatic in Settings > Drawing units.	Drawing units is set to one unit, but the drawing looks like it uses the other. The drawing declares the other unit, or its dimension text size or length format points to it. AFDIM follows the setting.	If the setting is right, you can ignore the message. If the setting is wrong, choose Automatic (from the current drawing) in Drawing units.
[AFDIM] Nothing selected. If the part is inside a viewport, double-click inside it and run AFDIM again.	You are on a Layout tab, outside every viewport, and you selected nothing on the paper. The part is in model space and is only seen through a viewport. AFDIM does not select model-space objects through a viewport while you work on the paper.	Double-click inside the viewport to activate it, then run AFDIM and select the part. Inside an activated viewport AFDIM works in model space. If DIMSCALE is 0, it uses the viewport scale. Objects drawn directly on the paper are selected as usual.
Corners missed, or small details merged	The recognition tolerance does not suit the drawing.	Adjust Point tolerance and Angle tolerance in Settings. AFDIM keeps a separate point tolerance for millimetres and for inches, and the field shows the value for the unit in use.
Bend lines not recognised	Bend-line detection missed them, or it is set to Off.	Set Bend-line detection to By layer (pick them below) and select the layers in Layers containing bend lines.

A millimetre or inch drawing that AFDIM reads correctly prints no unit message. Each unit message prints once for each drawing in an AutoCAD session, and prints again if the situation changes. AFDIM sizes its tolerances for the unit in use, so a wrong unit can give a wrong result, such as small features that are missed or merged.

The result looks wrong

Symptom	Cause	Fix
Dimension values are scaled	DIMLFAC is not 1. The selection prompt starts with (! DIMLFAC = <value>: measurements will be scaled).	Set DIMLFAC to 1, or use a dimension style with a factor of 1.
Text overlaps text, or text is huge	The text of the dimension style is too large for the part.	Check the dimension style, DIMSCALE or the annotation scale. Undo with U and run AFDIM again.
Callout wording is not what you want	The drafting standard determines the wording.	Change the standard or its templates on the Drafting standard tab.
Dimensions are too close to or far from the part	HeightDim sets this distance.	Change HeightDim on the General tab.
Centrelines are on the layer AFDIM_CENTER	The chosen centreline layer has no broken linetype. The command line says [AFDIM] Centrelines drawn on layer "AFDIM_CENTER" … has no broken centreline linetype.	Pick a layer with a centre or dashed linetype, or set that linetype on the layer.

Still stuck

Make a support zip with Create support zip…: choose Settings on the ribbon, then the About tab and the Support group. Send the zip through Support with your AutoCAD version and a short description.