FAQ: Why Am I Getting The "Referenced assembly 'Acdbmgd' does not have a strong name" Error Message?

The "Referenced assembly 'Acdbmgd' does not have a strong name" error message is displayed as a result of trying to use the Signing properties of your project in the Microsoft Visual Studio development environment. The AutoCAD Managed .NET API and AutoCAD-based programs don't support the use of 'Strong Name Signing.' AutoCAD-based programs use Microsoft's Authenticode technology to verify the authenticity of a binary file. The SignTool.exe program, from the Windows SDK, can be used to digitally sign a binary file with Microsoft's Authenticode technology.

For more information on Authenticode, see Microsoft's website (https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc750035.aspx).

To resolve the error, follow these steps:

1. In Microsoft Visual Studio, Solution Explorer, right-click the project and choose Properties.
2. On the Properties page, click the Signing tab.
3. Clear the Sign The Assemblies check box.
4. Close the Properties page.

A binary file can be signed as part of the build process, but instead you must use a Post-build event. For steps on setting up a Post-build event, see the topic "To Digitally Sign a Binary (ObjectARX or Managed .NET) File with a Post-Build Event in Microsoft Visual Studio."