Drawing files increasing in size with each open/save - becoming unusable

[ssomers]

We have been having a MAJOR problem with a particular project's dwg files. In a number of files, we noticed that the file sizes were getting out of control until the files were unusable. When we looked at previous saves, we noticed that each time the drawing was opened fresh and saved, the file would increase anywhere from 10-20mb. Upon testing, this would happen even if no work was done in the drawing - simply opening it and saving it as-is would cause the file size to jump dramatically. 

We were able to go through our sheets and "solve" the problem by saving down to .dxf, doing a "-purge" of all entities, and then saving it back to a C3D file. Some of our drawings lost the Civil 3D dynamic labels in the process so we had to do some re-labeling (some retained the labels), but all the drawings came back down to a very reasonable file size (most about 2mb, except the grading plan with all our feature lines and surfaces which rests at 17mb).

We did not have to do this to our main base file because it seemed to be holding true at 22mb. Since it has all of our pipe networks, alignments, and profile views, I really did not want to save down and lose all the dynamic data).

Well, it seems that our base file (attached PPLN) has started exhibiting the same odd behavior. It's not just my workstation either. Anyone who has tried to open the file gets the same result. There is some kind of corruption or hidden data that is duplicating itself - or something like that - that's causing the drawing file size to balloon out of control until it's so big that it's unusable and takes 15 minutes to open. 

We still have to finish this project, so we absolutely need this file to work properly. I'm hoping we can get some help from someone who maybe has an idea what's going on so we can get this problem resolved. We've spent over 40 man-hours trying to resolve this on our own and with the support of our software distributor. I just submitted a support request to AutoDesk itself, but I'm not holding my breath that they'll come up with a solution in time.

I'm using C3D 2017 and I've already updated to service pack 1.1 (after uninstalling SP1.0) and the problem continues to exhibit itself. I would try to see if the problem could be replicated on C3D 2016, but oh, wait, 2017 isn't backwards compatible... because of course it's not /s.

The problem doesn't seem to be happening in any other projects. After going through the save-down process with one of our sheets, we noticed that it might be the pipe labels causing the problem, but I haven't been able to confirm that or find a workaround. 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND DECENT IN THE WORLD... IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS, SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THIS FILE. And it would be even better if you could help us understand the root cause. I've attached the unaltered file to this post.

Merry Christmas.

[daniel.lench]

We haven't had any issues since updating to 2018.1.1 PATCH
Making a dummy surface and moving the labels to it before deleting the offending surface helps speed things up.

[ssomers · Accepted solution]

It's ridiculous if this hasn't been addressed in an official patch for this major issue. Apparently, Autodesk only sent out the fix to specific people who have elevated this to individual support tickets. I've included the original link to the file that Autodesk sent to me which fixes this problem with the instructions below:

"1. Rename AeccvBase.dbx (Located in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2017). You’ll  want to back this file up in case you need to revert back to the production release.

2. Copy the new AeccvBase.dbx into that folder. File located here: https://autodesk.app.box.com/s/acctl5gz7y0bzwjfv6zytdqnkbd4rvm8

3. Open a drawing that is having the bloat issue

4. Resync ALL data shortcuts: You can type - ‘SYNCHRONIZEREFERENCES’ at the command line and it’ll sync all DREFs

5. Save the file / close / reopen

 
The DREF sync process should remove any existing versions of DREF objects. The issue that you’re experiencing is that the DREF sync process is leaving older versions of the objects in the drawing. This only happens in certain situations, but the fix that we’ve provided should eliminate that in all cases."

[ralphsanchez]

Thanks, Shawn.  Just a few minutes in, and we're already seeing progress.  I appreciate your help.

[nostupidquestions]

i found this just in time. my drawing was getting so big i almost couldn't open it. thanks. 

also i've noticed in my drawing that the centerline alignment keeps getting copied in my cross section drawing every time i create a new ditch profile in my base drawing. i've got 8 copies of my centerline now. i wonder if this has something to do with the bloating issue? 

[crispy_bacon1]

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THE FIX!

If I could give you more than a kudo, I would. This saved hours upon hours to time!

[ryanJM8N2]

I have followed your suggestion with the new AECCVBASE file, but now i am getting fetal errors upon opening. Anyone else experiencing this?

[SKANE2015]

YES THIS WORKS!! AMAZING

[rkmcswain]

@ssomers wrote:

It's ridiculous if this hasn't been addressed in an official patch for this major issue. Apparently, Autodesk only sent out the fix to specific people who have elevated this to individual support tickets. I've included the original link to the file that Autodesk sent to me which fixes this problem with the instructions below:

It's been 5 months. Has this been released as an official patch/hotfix/etc.?

Thank you BTW

[SKANE2015]

NOT THAT I KNOW IF. I USED THAT. IT WORKED. NO OFFICAL PATCH THAT I KNOW ON.

[louisa_holland · Accepted solution]

Hey Guys! 

I made it official! Enjoy?

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/article/156911

[ryanJM8N2]

Will this work on the 2018 version?

[SKANE2015]

PROB NOT... SHE SAID ITS FOR 2017

[brandon.lecrone]

I have a drawing that appears to be having this same issue. however it has become so large that we are unable to open it, which means I would not be able to apply this fix. When attempting a recovery, it completes the validation, but hangs up when performing the audit (I have left it run for close to 18 hours). Is there any way to salvage this drawing in this case?

[jiovinelli]

We had a similar problem, but it opened after 2 hours. The only fix I can think of is renaming the file where the problem surface lives to break the link...that might allow the CAD file to skip the data ref step when opening and allow you to get in.

Good luck!

[brandon.lecrone]

I have copied the file from a network drive to my hard drive - would this break the dref link?

[SKANE2015]

disconnect from the network drive...you will have to reload it later

[ChrisRS]

You might try the Autodesk Batch Save Utility that comes with Civil 3d 2019, if you have access to it. It is a stand alone program and works on previous releases.

[brainman1000]

Is there a fix for 2018 yet?  I would think that if they fix it for 2017 they would also release a fix for at least 2018 as well.

[Richard.Johnstone3RKDJ]

We have precisely this issue mainly with pipe networks and only certain models. We are using C3D versions 2020, 2021 and 2022. The DBX file which is downloadable here does not work, I assume because this was for 2017? or our problem isnt caused the same way. Either way we are desperate, Autodesk has not solved the issue and it is costing us deadlines, time and stress. A solution would be amazing and a huge credit to whoever found the solution for us.

Thanks in advance

[SKANE2015]

Not sure what’s in your cad files, but you did mention pipe networks. Maybe try exporting the pipe networks and all other C3D items to a XML file and remake the necessary cad files in a 2022 template. 

I know this is it can be frustrating. We had a lot of issues with files that were made in 2015 and 2017 C3D.