AutoCAD • Troubleshooting

AutoCAD Mac Missing Tool Palettes After Update – Restore Guide

by Rachid Khouri
6 min read

If you’ve recently updated AutoCAD for Mac and noticed that your essential Tool Palettes have vanished from the interface, you’re not alone. This is a common issue following macOS or AutoCAD updates, often caused by corrupted workspace settings, missing support files, or profile misconfigurations. Fortunately, in most cases, the Tool Palettes can be restored without losing your customizations.

This step-by-step guide will help you recover your missing Tool Palettes in AutoCAD for Mac quickly and efficiently.

What Are Tool Palettes?

Tool Palettes in AutoCAD provide quick access to blocks, hatch patterns, commands, and custom tools. They’re a productivity powerhouse—especially for architects, engineers, and designers who rely on reusable content. Losing them can significantly slow down your workflow.

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Why Do Tool Palettes Disappear After an Update?

Common causes include:

  • Workspace reset during the update process
  • Corrupted or relocated support files (e.g., .atc palette files)
  • User profile conflicts after macOS or AutoCAD version changes
  • Missing permissions to access palette directories

Step-by-Step Restoration Guide

Step 1: Check if Tool Palettes Are Simply Hidden

Sometimes, palettes aren’t missing—they’re just closed or minimized.

  1. Go to View > Palettes > Tool Palettes (or press Ctrl+3).
  2. If the palette appears, you’re all set! If not, proceed to the next steps.

Step 2: Reset the Current Workspace

AutoCAD may have switched to a default workspace that doesn’t include your palettes.

  1. Click the Workspace Switching icon in the status bar (bottom-right).
  2. Choose AutoCAD Classic or Drafting & Annotation.
  3. If palettes still don’t appear, try Reset to Default:
    • Go to AutoCAD > Preferences > Profiles.
    • Select your current profile and click Reset.
    • Restart AutoCAD.

Note: Resetting your profile may revert custom toolbars and shortcuts. Back up your settings first if possible.

Step 3: Locate and Restore Palette Files

AutoCAD stores Tool Palette data in .atc files. After an update, these may be misplaced or inaccessible.

  1. Open Finder and navigate to:
    ~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD [Version]/[Language]/Support/ToolPaletteExample:
    ~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2024/enu/Support/ToolPalette
  2. Check if your .atc files are present. If they’re missing:
    • Look in backup folders (e.g., ~/Documents/AutoCAD Backups).
    • Or restore from a Time Machine backup if available.
  3. If files exist but palettes still don’t load:
    • In AutoCAD, go to Tools > Options > Files tab.
    • Expand Tool Palette File Locations.
    • Ensure the correct path (from Step 3.1) is listed. If not, click Add and browse to the folder.
  4. Restart AutoCAD.
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Step 4: Rebuild Tool Palettes from Scratch (If Needed)

If your palette files are unrecoverable:

  1. Open AutoCAD.
  2. Press Ctrl+3 to open the Tool Palettes window.
  3. Right-click any tab (e.g., “Sample”) and choose New Palette.
  4. Drag blocks, hatches, or commands from the DesignCenter (Ctrl+2) or your drawings onto the new palette.
  5. Save your work—AutoCAD will auto-save the .atc file to the correct folder.

Tip: Export your new palettes via Customize > Tool Palettes > Export to avoid future loss.

Step 5: Verify macOS Permissions

macOS security updates can restrict app access to certain folders.

  1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders.
  2. Ensure AutoCAD has access to Documents Folder and Desktop (where support files may reside).
  3. If needed, grant full disk access temporarily via Full Disk Access settings.

Prevent Future Loss

  • Back up your Tool Palettes regularly:
    Go to Customize > Tool Palettes > Export to save .atc files to a secure location.
  • Avoid updating during active projects:
    Wait for stable releases and check Autodesk’s release notes for known issues.
  • Use a consistent user profile:
    Avoid switching macOS user accounts when using AutoCAD.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Will restoring Tool Palettes delete my custom blocks or drawings?

A: No. Tool Palettes only store references to blocks, hatches, and commands—they don’t contain the actual drawing data. Restoring or resetting palettes won’t affect your .dwg files or custom block definitions stored in your drawings or tool catalogs.

Q2: I use multiple AutoCAD profiles—could that cause missing palettes after an update?

A: Yes. AutoCAD for Mac saves Tool Palette settings per user profile. If the update reset your active profile or switched you to a new/default one, your palettes may appear missing. Go to AutoCAD > Preferences > Profiles, verify you’re using the correct profile, or import your old profile settings if backed up.

Q3: My Tool Palettes reappear but are empty—what’s happening?

A: This usually means the palette files (.atc) are present, but the referenced content (e.g., blocks or images) has moved or been deleted. Check that your block libraries and image folders are still in the same locations. You can also right-click the empty palette and choose Customize to re-add content manually.

Q4: Can I sync my Tool Palettes across multiple Macs?

A: Yes—but not automatically. You’ll need to manually copy the .atc files from the ToolPalette folder (located in ~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/...) to the same location on your other Mac. Make sure both machines are running the same AutoCAD version to avoid compatibility issues.

Q5: After restoring palettes, some icons appear as blank squares—how do I fix this?

A: Blank icons typically indicate missing preview images or broken block references. Try the following:

  • Regenerate previews: Right-click the palette tab > View Options > ensure Show Preview is checked.
  • Reload the source block: Open the original drawing containing the block, then drag it again onto the palette to refresh the reference.

Q6: Does AutoCAD for Mac support the same Tool Palette features as the Windows version?

A: Mostly, but not entirely. AutoCAD for Mac supports core palette functionality (blocks, hatches, commands), but some advanced features like custom palette tools with LISP callbacks or third-party palette extensions may not be available or behave differently. Always test custom palettes after switching platforms.

Q7: I don’t see the “Tool Palettes” option under the View menu—why?

A: This can happen if your current workspace doesn’t include the palette command. Switch to a full-featured workspace like Drafting & Annotation (via the Workspace Switching menu in the status bar), or type TOOLPALETTES in the command line and press Enter to force it open.

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Final Thoughts

Losing your Tool Palettes after an update is frustrating—but rarely permanent. By following this guide, most users can restore their palettes within minutes. Keep your workflow smooth by backing up your customization files regularly and staying informed about AutoCAD updates.

Pro Tip: Bookmark this guide—you might need it after the next update!

Always ensure you’re running the latest service pack from Autodesk.

About the author

Rachid Khouri

Rachid Khouri

I’m Rachid Khouri, a CAD engineer, developer, and Autodesk Authorized Author with more than 30 years of experience using and teaching AutoCAD.
I’ve worked as a draftsman, CAD manager, and trainer for design offices and companies in Canada, and since 1999, I’ve been sharing my knowledge through in-person and online training.

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