Shadows or ghost objects appearing along Crosshair in AutoCAD products

Autodesk Support

Jan 3, 2025

Products and versions covered

Issue:

User reported that when moving the crosshairs in AutoCAD products, shadows or ghost objects appear along the crosshairs in the drawing.

Cursor leaves trails on the AutoCAD screens when moved

Dots in the shape of a + sign automatically appear when the mouse is moved.

Environment:

Windows 10.
Windows 11.
VDI Environment.

Causes:

Graphics card incompatibility.
The program is accessing the video driver incorrectly.
On dual graphics systems, the wrong video card is being used.
VDI machine using a graphics card which is not recommended.
Using an older version of the AutoCAD(LT) Classic workspace (CUIX) that is not compatible with the current version of AutoCAD products.

Solution:

Install the latest update for AutoCAD products. See Where to download products and updates or How to get product updates in Autodesk Accounts.
Install the latest graphics driver and configure the high performance for the video card in the Windows OS. See How to update to the latest certified video driver for Autodesk software and How to configure Autodesk software to use high-performance graphics.
On the command line in AutoCAD products, type GRAPHICSCONFIG. Verify the correct graphics card is shown at the top. See AutoCAD uses the wrong graphics card.
If the issue persists, try one or more of the following:
- Turn off High Quality Geometry by typing HQGEOM on the command line and setting it to Off or 0 (zero).
- Turn off hardware acceleration in AutoCAD products via the GRAPHICSCONFIG command.
- Disable Smooth Line Display option
- Launch AutoCAD without hardware acceleration. See AutoCAD will not launch when hardware video acceleration is enabled.
- Force AutoCAD to run with Direct X 11 or 9. See How to use a previous DirectX version in AutoCAD Products.
  - Note : AutoCAD offers different versions of Direct X that can be changed with each release.
    - AutoCAD Products 2022 ~ 2025 or latest version's default : Direct X 12.
    - AutoCAD Products 2015 ~ 2021's default : Direct X 11.
- Disable the low-end or on-board Intel HD Graphics within the system bios. Find the setting to turn off switchable graphics, Optimus, Enduro, or on-board video/display. Contact the system manufacturer for assistance.
If graphic card is not configured on GRAPHICSCONFIG page, see Hardware acceleration cannot be enabled in AutoCAD product.
If an older version workspace (CUIX) file, such as AutoCAD(LT) Classic, is being used without migration, AutoCAD Products should be reset to its default settings. See How to reset AutoCAD to defaults.

Note:
Not all Autodesk product offerings may be virtualized. You may virtualize a product only if the applicable terms and conditions governing your access to and use of that offering expressly permit virtualization.
Where virtualization is authorized, all conditions and limitations specified in the applicable terms and conditions apply. Autodesk may make available information regarding use of products in virtualized environments. Such information is offered solely for your convenience, on an “as is” basis, and may contain errors, inaccuracies, or may be incomplete. Autodesk makes no representations, warranties, or other promises related to use of any product in any virtualization environment or with any virtualization technology. If you are authorized to virtualize and elect to do so, you assume all risks associated with such use, including, but not limited to incompatibility between the product and third-party virtualization technology and/or your virtualization environment.
Read our Virtual Installation Guidelines and Terms of Use for more information.

Products:

AutoCAD Products; DWG TrueView;

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