Commands

ACADINFO command in AutoCAD : Creates a file that stores information about your AutoCAD installation and current setup

Introduction

If you need a clear, step‑by‑step guide to the acadinfo command in AutoCAD, this article explains what the command does, how to run it, what to expect in the output, why it may fail, practical alternatives, and troubleshooting tips you can use right away. This is written for beginners and for users preparing information to send to technical support.

What is the ACADINFO command?

The acadinfo command is a diagnostic tool in AutoCAD that generates a text report containing information about your AutoCAD installation and the current drawing setup. Typical contents include the AutoCAD version, key system variables, current drawing name, and other configuration details that help with troubleshooting and support.

Note: Availability varies by product and version — some AutoCAD builds or AutoCAD LT may not include this command.

Why use acadinfo?

  • To collect a standard set of system and drawing details for technical support.
  • To capture environment data (version, system variables, file paths) before sharing or debugging a problem.
  • To document the configuration of a drawing for handover or auditing.

How to use acadinfo (Step by step)

  1. Open AutoCAD and the drawing you want to inspect.
  2. Click the command line, type ACADINFO, and press Enter.
  3. If prompted, specify a file name and location for the output text file (for example: C:\Temp\acadinfo.txt). If no prompt appears, check your current folder or the system temp folder for the generated file.
  4. Wait for AutoCAD to finish. A message usually confirms the file was written.
  5. Open the saved text file (Notepad, WordPad) to review the report and copy the relevant parts to include when contacting support.
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Quick shortcut: there is no built‑in keyboard shortcut. For a faster alias, add a PGP alias (see Tips below) or create a simple toolbar/menu entry that runs ACADINFO.

Typical contents of the acadinfo report (example)

A typical acadinfo text file may contain lines similar to:

  • AutoCAD product and version (e.g., AutoCAD 2024)
  • Installed modules or add-ons
  • Current drawing name and path
  • Key system variables (e.g., CLAYER, LTSCALE, INSUNITS, FILEDIA)
  • Support file search paths and configured folders
  • Licensing / profile information (in some cases)

Example snippet (illustrative only):
“AutoCAD version: AutoCAD 2024
Current drawing: C:\Projects\plan.dwg
Current layer: 0
LTSCALE: 1.00
INSUNITS: 4 (Feet)
FILEDIA: 1″

Alternatives to acadinfo

If ACADINFO is not available or you want additional methods to gather environment information:

  • Type ACADVER at the command line to display the AutoCAD version.
  • Open About (type ABOUT) to view product and build information.
  • Use the Options dialog (OPTIONS command) → Files tab to inspect support paths.
  • Use SETVAR / GETVAR to check individual system variables (e.g., (getvar “CLAYER”) in AutoLISP).
  • Run AUDIT and RECOVER to diagnose drawing integrity if your goal is repair.
  • Create a small AutoLISP routine to write selected system variables to a text file (example below).
  • Use Autodesk Desktop App or the Autodesk Account support diagnostic tools when deeper analysis is needed.

AutoLISP example: create your own acadinfo file

If ACADINFO is missing, you can use AutoLISP to create a basic report. Save the code below as a .lsp file and load it with APPLOAD or add it to your startup suite.

Example AutoLISP (simple, safe variables):

(defun c:WriteAcadInfo (/ fname f)
(setq fname (getfiled “Save ACADINFO as” “acadinfo.txt” “txt” 1))
(if fname
(progn
(setq f (open fname “w”))
(if f
(progn
(write-line (strcat “AutoCAD version: ” (getvar “ACADVER”)) f)
(write-line (strcat “Current drawing: ” (getvar “DWGNAME”)) f)
(write-line (strcat “Current layer: ” (getvar “CLAYER”)) f)
(write-line (strcat “LTSCALE: ” (rtos (getvar “LTSCALE”) 2 2)) f)
(write-line (strcat “INSUNITS: ” (itoa (getvar “INSUNITS”))) f)
(write-line (strcat “FILEDIA: ” (itoa (getvar “FILEDIA”))) f)
(close f)
(princ (strcat “\nSaved ACADINFO to ” fname))
)
(princ “\nUnable to create file.”)
)
)
)
(princ)
)

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After loading, run the command WriteAcadInfo to create the file.

Common reasons acadinfo doesn’t work — and fixes

  • Unknown command / Command not found:

    • Cause: AutoCAD LT or a product edition that doesn’t include the command, or the command has been removed from a later build.
    • Fix: Use the AutoLISP routine above or gather info with ACADVER, ABOUT, and Options → Files.

  • Permission denied / Cannot create file:

    • Cause: Writing to a protected directory (Program Files) or network folder with restricted permissions.
    • Fix: Choose a writable folder such as your Documents folder or C:\Temp. Run AutoCAD with elevated permissions only if necessary.

  • Output is incomplete or missing expected details:

    • Cause: Some information is version-dependent or the command runs in a limited environment (script, automation).
    • Fix: Run the command interactively with an open drawing. Use AutoLISP to query specific system variables you need.

  • acadinfo runs but information is confusing for support:

    • Fix: Add the DWG file and the acadinfo output when contacting support. Show the exact steps or error messages you observed.

  • Command behaves differently across versions:

    • Fix: Note the exact product name and build (from ABOUT or ACADVER) and include that in any support request.

Practical tips

  • Always save the output to a clearly named file (date and drawing name) so support can match the report to the drawing.
  • When contacting support, include: the acadinfo text file, the DWG, a screenshot of the error, and the AutoCAD version / build.
  • Create a quick alias in your acad.pgp file for faster access:
    • Example entry to add to acad.pgp: AI, *ACADINFO
    • After editing, reload the profile or restart AutoCAD.
  • Use AutoLISP startup scripts to automatically generate an acadinfo snapshot at the start of a session if you frequently need reports.
  • Keep personal or sensitive data in mind — review the output before sharing. Remove or redact any confidential paths or usernames.
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FAQ — Is ACADINFO available in AutoCAD LT?

No. AutoCAD LT typically lacks several diagnostic and customization commands found in full AutoCAD. Use the alternatives listed (ACADVER, ABOUT, Options, or the AutoLISP routine) to gather the same information.

FAQ — Where does acadinfo save the output file?

It depends on how the command is implemented in your version: often it prompts you for a location, or it writes to the current drawing folder or a temporary folder. If you don’t see a prompt, check the current drawing folder and your Windows %TEMP% folder.

FAQ — What should I include when I send acadinfo to support?

Include the acadinfo text file, the DWG file (or a small reproducible sample), the exact AutoCAD version/build (from ABOUT or ACADVER), and a clear description of the problem and steps to reproduce it.

FAQ — Can I automate acadinfo collection for many drawings?

Yes. Use an AutoLISP routine or a script that opens drawings one by one and writes selected system variables to a centralized log file. Be careful with performance and file permissions when running batch operations.

FAQ — Is the acadinfo file safe to share? Does it contain private data?

The acadinfo file contains installation and environment details, and may include file paths and usernames. Review and redact any sensitive information before sharing publicly. When sending to Autodesk or IT support, include the file as requested; they typically require this information to diagnose issues.

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