AutoCAD Block too large - Unable to Explode

[Anonymous]

All,

I would appreciate some help in trying to make an AutoCAD block smaller without exploding. The current block was provided by a Client and I am unable to contact them to provide an exploded version.

The current block has over 5 million lines, and when I explode the block my computer crashes (computer is relatively high spec (Intel Core I7 2.7GHz & 32GB RAM)). I have been able to 'Edit block in-place' and then 'prompt to select nested objects' and this allows me to select small sections and delete as needed, but this process is too slow and only allows me to delete approx. 300 lines at a time.

My ultimate aim is to delete all the unnecessary information and reduce the block size considerably (by 90%) to make it easier to use. I just need a useful command to be able to select large sections and delete without exploding. Any input you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Hello @Anonymous

Try the attachment to flatten the 3D drawing. drag and drop this .lsp file into your drawing area and it will automatically change all entities to elevation zero.

Also try this steps to combines lines.

• Click Home tab Modify panel Edit Polyline. Find.
• Select a polyline, spline, line, or arc to edit. ...
• Enter j (Join).
• Select one or more polylines, splines, lines, or arcs that are located end to end.
• Press Enter to end the command.

Also try to use OVERKILL command to delete overlapping lines.

Hope this helps

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> when I explode the block my computer crashes

The reason for that is that your drawing get's twice as large, 5mio lines in block-definition, 5mio lines in the space where you explode the block-insertion (the block-definition is not erased when you explode one (or more) of the insertions of this block).

>> My ultimate aim is to delete all the unnecessary information

>> and reduce the block size considerably (by 90%)

Can you define (as a strong rule) what is "unnecessary information"? If so you might use block-editor and then _QSELECT or _FILTER to delete this information.

>> I just need a useful command to be able to select large sections

>> and delete without exploding.

Command _BEDIT (blockeditor) ... as long as it is not clear for me why edit-block-in-place did not work for you (have not understood that part).

- alfred -

[cadffm]

Try to open your Block as DWG.

Use WBLOCK option "Block" <select your Block>.

If that works

Try open the new created DWG-File.

If that fail

Open only a part of this file with command: PARTIALOPEN

[Anonymous]

Many thanks @Anonymous for the reply.

The block is already 2D only, and has no Z values. I have tried the overkill function and it worked but it did not have any overlapping lines that needed deleting. I will continue with the suggestions posted after yours.

Thanks, Adam.

[Anonymous]

Many thanks @Alfred.NESWADBA for replying.

Apologies for being vague in my initial post. The system crashes when I try using Block Editor, and the only way I can get AutoCAD to work with the block is through 'Edit block in-place'.

The 'Edit block in-place' does work, but when I try selecting >1000 lines and deleting, the system again crashes. I could continue with selecting small groups of lines and deleting, but it will take a very long time to delete everything I want removing.

The file I have been given is the topographical overlay of a city. I am only looking for a small section of this overlay that is relevant to my project area. All the other information is not needed and I am looking to delete it to make the file smaller in size.

I am just trying to find a solution that can avoid the program crashing.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

thank you for clarification!

>> The file I have been given is the topographical overlay of a city. I am only

>> looking for a small section of this overlay that is relevant to my project area

Do you have Map3D or Civil3D? ... as there exists commands for querying partial data from one drawing to another dwg-file.

You might also try @cadffm's suggestion using _WBLOCK from your block-definition to create a new dwg-file from the block-definition.

If you can upload the drawing we might separate the objects for you (please add a second drawing with a rectangle at the correct coordinates of your project area so we know which area you need).

- alfred -

[cadffm · Accepted solution]

You want only a small area of that Block, the system crash if you try to select >1000 objects.. ok

Create a Layout/Viewport(1:1) with your wanted part/view, try command: EXPORTLAYOUT.

If it works, open the new File, explode the insert in modelspace, save. rename the DWG to the name of your hugh original block,

insert that DWG as Block with command:INSERT into your drawing and redefine the problem.

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for all the replies @Alfred.NESWADBA @cadffm.

The exportlayout has managed to export what I needed and I have now managed to get the required area.

I would have struggled to upload the DWG since it is 170MB in size.

All the best!

[äcäp]

Some action/command that you might consider:

1. Open the drawing by RECOVER
2. AUDIT
3. -PURGE --> All --> * --> No
4. -PURGE --> Regapps --> * --> No
5. Remove any NESTED or OVERLAYED objects such as Xref, Images, PDF, OLE Attachments etc. (if any)
6. Reset SCALELISTEDIT (worth trying)