How to Read Civil 3D Mini Dump Files (DMP) for Crash Analysis

Nick Turner

Issue: Civil 3D Crashes and Creates a Mini Dump (.dmp) File

When Autodesk Civil 3D crashes, it often generates a mini dump file (.dmp) alongside crash logs in a folder like:

C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\CrashDumps\

Or as part of the Customer Error Report (CER) package that Autodesk prompts you to send. These .dmp files contain low-level system information from the moment of the crash and can help identify the cause — especially for DLL errors, corrupted subassemblies, or third-party plugins.

But how do you actually read a .dmp file?

Solution: Use WinDbg to Analyze the DMP

Civil 3D dump files are Windows memory snapshots, not something you can open directly in Civil 3D. Instead, use Microsoft’s WinDbg (Windows Debugger) or Visual Studio.

Using WinDbg (Lightweight & Free)

Step 1: Install WinDbg

Download WinDbg Preview from the Microsoft Store:

https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/windbg-preview

Step 2: Open the Mini Dump File

Launch WinDbg Preview

Go to File > Open Dump File

Select your .dmp file (from the CrashDumps or CER folder)

Step 3: Load Symbols (Optional but Helpful)

Symbols help match memory addresses to actual code.

Click File > Symbol File Path

Set path to Microsoft symbols:

srv*C:\symbols*https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols

Restart WinDbg or reopen the dump.

Step 4: Run Analysis

Click analyze-v link or In the command input (at the bottom), type:

!analyze -v

Step 5: Read the Report

The output will show:

Faulting module (e.g., AeccCorridorBase.dll)

Exception code (e.g., 0xc0000005 = access violation)

Call stack and probable cause

You don't need to be a programmer — just note what module failed and the exception. Then google the error.

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