Support
ZWCAD closes when using MDT after 2024 SP1.5
Summary
After installing the ZWCAD 2024 SP1.5 update (Service Pack), some MDT utilities stop working: ZWCAD closes unexpectedly when running MDT commands, the MDT menu fails to load on start-up, or error messages appear. The origin is an incompatibility between MDT and that particular ZWCAD 2024 update. The solution is to go back to an earlier version of ZWCAD 2024 (SP1.4) or to upgrade to ZWCAD 2025 if you are entitled to it.
Applies to
MDT 9 on ZWCAD 2024.
Specifically, the ZWCAD 2024 SP1.5 update. Earlier versions of ZWCAD 2024 (SP1.4, for instance) do not show this problem according to the documented cases.
Symptoms
ZWCAD closes suddenly when running MDT commands: when importing or inserting points, importing XML, converting drawing entities or dimensioning the alignment, for example.
On start-up, the MDT menu (and ribbon) do not load or disappear from the CAD.
When trying to run a tool, an error appears, the program asks whether you want to save the drawing and then closes.
In some cases the message "feature has expired" appears when running commands.
Cause
Incompatibility between MDT and the ZWCAD 2024 SP1.5 update. The problem was introduced with that ZWCAD 2024 Service Pack; earlier versions work correctly.
Solution
Case: going back to a ZWCAD 2024 version earlier than SP1.5
Close the CAD.
Uninstall the SP1.5 update of ZWCAD 2024. If you cannot find a way to uninstall the update alone, uninstall ZWCAD 2024 and install it again with an installer that is not the SP1.5 one.
Install or keep an earlier version, ZWCAD 2024 SP1.4. If necessary, download it directly from the ZWCAD manufacturer's site, checking that the installer does not correspond to SP1.5.
Check that MDT works normally again (that the menu loads and that commands no longer close the program).
Case: upgrading to ZWCAD 2025
As an alternative, you can upgrade to ZWCAD 2025, provided you have a current maintenance contract for the MDT licence or have purchased it recently.
Case: "feature has expired" still appears after fixing ZWCAD
If MDT still shows "feature has expired" once ZWCAD is working correctly, it may be an installation mixed with a previous demonstration version. In one documented case it was solved as follows:
With the CAD closed, uninstall MDT and check that the
C:\Program Files (x86)\Aplitop\MDT9folder is left empty. If any file remains, remove it manually.Install MDT again using the installer you received with your purchase of the program (not a demonstration installer downloaded from the website).
If the problem persists
If the problem continues after taking ZWCAD back to a version earlier than SP1.5, or if you need help identifying which ZWCAD 2024 version you have installed, contact APLITOP technical support, stating the exact ZWCAD and MDT versions.
Aplitop is in contact with ZWCAD regarding this problem.
Category: Compatibility with AutoCAD, BricsCAD and ZWCAD · Level: Intermediate