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Error: base.dcl not found when importing points

Updated on 14 September 2026

Summary

When importing or inserting points in MDT, a dialogue file not found error appears (for example, base.dcl file cannot be found), or the import points option does nothing at all, with no message, even after reinstalling. The fault is not in MDT but in the CAD platform: a damaged installation, or an installation that did not correctly copy the base.dcl and primitives.dcl support files. It is solved by repairing the CAD and, if necessary, copying those files into the configured support path.

Applies to

MDT — cases documented on MDT 9 and MDT 25. Both the fault and its repair belong to the CAD platform, not to a particular MDT version; the CAD platforms compatible with MDT 26 are listed in the official installation manual.
CAD platforms appearing in the cases: AutoCAD and ZWCAD (2026).

Symptoms

When importing or inserting points, a dialogue file not found error appears (for example, base.dcl file cannot be found, followed by an error in the dialogue file of the support folder).
Or else the import points option does nothing, with no error message, even after reinstalling the program.

Cause

Errors of this kind with DCL files when starting up or opening dialogues lie outside MDT: they are caused by a damaged installation of the CAD platform, or because the CAD installation did not correctly copy the base.dcl and primitives.dcl support files into the configured support folder.

Solution

Case: CAD support file errors (`base.dcl` / `primitives.dcl`) when importing or inserting points

Repair the CAD installation from the Windows Control Panel: Programs and Features > select the CAD > Repair.
If the problem persists, run _options on the CAD command line and check the first support file search path configured.
Check whether the base.dcl and primitives.dcl files exist in that path.
If they are not there, copy them from the CAD installation folder into that support path.

If the problem persists

If the fault continues after these steps, contact APLITOP technical support.
When opening the enquiry, state your MDT and CAD versions and attach a screenshot of the error message; it helps to tell whether the origin is MDT, the CAD or the computer.

Category: Compatibility with AutoCAD, BricsCAD and ZWCAD · Level: Intermediate