AutoCAD slowing over time

[Anonymous]

I'm having a problem where ACAD 2018 seems to slow down the longer I'm using it. My computer is shut down every night and turned on fresh every morning and ACAD runs perfect for the first half of the day. Then it slowly starts to slow down as time goes on. It is most evident in things such as picking an object and trying to change one of it's properties in the QP box. At first, the change is instant. Hours later, it's very laggy. If I close out of ACAD and restart it, it seems better and the process starts over again. Absolutely nothing has changed system wise and this has been going on for about a month or more. System is an i5 running at 4.2ghz, 32gb ram, Samsung SSDs, ATI FirePro W5000, W10 Pro, Hardware Acceleration is on. And since it is fine when I first launch it, it is clearly not the machine. I think it is possible that it started around the time of the most recent W10 update to version 1709, but I haven't rolled back to test that.

Has anyone had any similar experiences and can you possibly link it to the W10 update?

[Anonymous]

I'm having a problem where ACAD 2018 seems to slow down the longer I'm using it. My computer is shut down every night and turned on fresh every morning and ACAD runs perfect for the first half of the day. Then it slowly starts to slow down as time goes on. It is most evident in things such as picking an object and trying to change one of it's properties in the QP box. At first, the change is instant. Hours later, it's very laggy. If I close out of ACAD and restart it, it seems better and the process starts over again. Absolutely nothing has changed system wise and this has been going on for about a month or more. System is an i5 running at 4.2ghz, 32gb ram, Samsung SSDs, ATI FirePro W5000, W10 Pro, Hardware Acceleration is on. And since it is fine when I first launch it, it is clearly not the machine. I think it is possible that it started around the time of the most recent W10 update to version 1709, but I haven't rolled back to test that.

Has anyone had any similar experiences and can you possibly link it to the W10 update?

[RobDraw]

I've seen this before when the computer is not properly maintained. IME, it's probably temp files piling up somewhere.

It's also possible that anti-virus/malware software could be the culprit.

[RobDraw]

I've seen this before when the computer is not properly maintained. IME, it's probably temp files piling up somewhere.

It's also possible that anti-virus/malware software could be the culprit.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> and ACAD runs perfect for the first half of the day

This might depend on the free memory and on the number of files in the %TEMP% folder.

Just for information: I always close and start AutoCAD every 2 to 3 hours, it's a Windows software and so the memory get's fragmented more and more and raises constantly.

- alfred -

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> and ACAD runs perfect for the first half of the day

This might depend on the free memory and on the number of files in the %TEMP% folder.

Just for information: I always close and start AutoCAD every 2 to 3 hours, it's a Windows software and so the memory get's fragmented more and more and raises constantly.

- alfred -

[dgorsman]

Same here.  I rarely have any file or group of files open all day long.  That much work in a single file is likely a sign the file should be split up a bit, for both performance and management reasons.

[dgorsman]

Same here.  I rarely have any file or group of files open all day long.  That much work in a single file is likely a sign the file should be split up a bit, for both performance and management reasons.

[Anonymous]

But none of these explain why it was never like this for years. I could work 10 hours a day and never shut down ACAD (very large or very small files) and there was never a performance change. I turned off antivirus and it had no effect, turned off HA and it had no effect. Temp folder is cleaned out every night.

Does anyone know what it is that ACAD is "cleaning out" when it shuts down that then allows it to work better once it is re-started? Maybe that's where the problem lies.

[Anonymous]

But none of these explain why it was never like this for years. I could work 10 hours a day and never shut down ACAD (very large or very small files) and there was never a performance change. I turned off antivirus and it had no effect, turned off HA and it had no effect. Temp folder is cleaned out every night.

Does anyone know what it is that ACAD is "cleaning out" when it shuts down that then allows it to work better once it is re-started? Maybe that's where the problem lies.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I could work 10 hours a day and never shut down ACAD (very large or

>> very small files) and there was never a performance change

Then you are one of the very lucky men. I had that situation since AutoCAD works on Windows.

A sample for a complex application, at the time of AutoCAD 14 (not 2014). I worked some time and then I had to regenerate the whole graphic, which was done by an application inside of AutoCAD doing a lot of geometry analysis. it used 30min. I then closed AutoCAD, started it (so the ram is fresh and empty) and the same process used 4min.

That was about 20 years ago and didn't change.

>> Does anyone know what it is that ACAD is "cleaning out" when it shuts down

It's not only AutoCAD, it's also the operating system having fragmented memory as long as the process (ACAD.EXE) is active.

Just one explanation why AutoCAD needs more and more memory ... this is a simple description, but easy to understand and there are a lot of more complex arguments too:

Assume you create one line in AutoCAD, this might use 50kB memory, then delete this line ... most think now this makes the memory free ... no it does not, it takes another additional memory to store the deletion, because it might be possible the user uses _UNDO or _OOPS to get the deleted object back.

So when AutoCAD started with 1GB memory, then you create 1 line, delete this line and you repeat that many times the memory grows and will never come back to 1GB

Next is a killer: graphic cards with shared memory ... When you have a system with 8GB, your operating system needs 2GB, AutoCAD needs 1GB and you start a small drawing, but you do a lot 3D-orbit, pan, zoom ... the computer does not have 5GB free (8GB - 2GB - 1GB) ... because the graphic card takes your system memory away (and also does not free it up after you end 3D-orbit or pan or ...

Every close of applications frees the memory fully, the one from the application and the one for the shared graphic card memory.

Is my description understandable?

Does that make sense?

- alfred -

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I could work 10 hours a day and never shut down ACAD (very large or

>> very small files) and there was never a performance change

Then you are one of the very lucky men. I had that situation since AutoCAD works on Windows.

A sample for a complex application, at the time of AutoCAD 14 (not 2014). I worked some time and then I had to regenerate the whole graphic, which was done by an application inside of AutoCAD doing a lot of geometry analysis. it used 30min. I then closed AutoCAD, started it (so the ram is fresh and empty) and the same process used 4min.

That was about 20 years ago and didn't change.

>> Does anyone know what it is that ACAD is "cleaning out" when it shuts down

It's not only AutoCAD, it's also the operating system having fragmented memory as long as the process (ACAD.EXE) is active.

Just one explanation why AutoCAD needs more and more memory ... this is a simple description, but easy to understand and there are a lot of more complex arguments too:

Assume you create one line in AutoCAD, this might use 50kB memory, then delete this line ... most think now this makes the memory free ... no it does not, it takes another additional memory to store the deletion, because it might be possible the user uses _UNDO or _OOPS to get the deleted object back.

So when AutoCAD started with 1GB memory, then you create 1 line, delete this line and you repeat that many times the memory grows and will never come back to 1GB

Next is a killer: graphic cards with shared memory ... When you have a system with 8GB, your operating system needs 2GB, AutoCAD needs 1GB and you start a small drawing, but you do a lot 3D-orbit, pan, zoom ... the computer does not have 5GB free (8GB - 2GB - 1GB) ... because the graphic card takes your system memory away (and also does not free it up after you end 3D-orbit or pan or ...

Every close of applications frees the memory fully, the one from the application and the one for the shared graphic card memory.

Is my description understandable?

Does that make sense?

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Alfred,

I guess I was one of the lucky ones and, for the most part, your descriptions are understandable. I guess I may just have to live with it, but I also wish I could figure out what changed to all of a sudden cause the problem.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Anonymous]

Alfred,

I guess I was one of the lucky ones and, for the most part, your descriptions are understandable. I guess I may just have to live with it, but I also wish I could figure out what changed to all of a sudden cause the problem.

Thanks for the ideas.

[pendean]

Looks like you need to restart your PC at lunchtime/midday in the meantime.

BTW: something did change on your PC or the network a month ago: could it be an upgraded anti-virus or something similar?

[pendean]

Looks like you need to restart your PC at lunchtime/midday in the meantime.

BTW: something did change on your PC or the network a month ago: could it be an upgraded anti-virus or something similar?

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> but I also wish I could figure out what changed

The four most important hints I can give:

• Look to your memory consumption while AutoCAD is active
• Make sure the %TEMP% folder does not contain too many files
• Don't use graphic cards with shared memory.
• Make sure most work is done without network traffic.

- alfred -

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> but I also wish I could figure out what changed

The four most important hints I can give:

• Look to your memory consumption while AutoCAD is active
• Make sure the %TEMP% folder does not contain too many files
• Don't use graphic cards with shared memory.
• Make sure most work is done without network traffic.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Dean,

As I mentioned, the only thing I can link it to was that massive W10 update that happened in November (or whenever the fall update was). Other than that, I haven't made any software or hardware changes. I may roll windows back to the previous build over the weekend and see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

Dean,

As I mentioned, the only thing I can link it to was that massive W10 update that happened in November (or whenever the fall update was). Other than that, I haven't made any software or hardware changes. I may roll windows back to the previous build over the weekend and see how it goes.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> was that massive W10 update that happened in November

Please type <WindowsKey><R> and then start WINVER<ENTER> ... which version of Windows 10 do you get shown?

My experience with Windows 10 is quite good, as long as you make sure the drivers are from Windows 10 and not from a previous Windows release.

And as long as you are not based on Fall Creators Update (which would show version 1709 from command WINVER), because that version of Windows 10 is not really stable with all the programs it installs (especially Framework) ... also shown in >>>that AKN article<<<

But I think the issues are not perfomance issues after 2-3hours, they are more about crashes of the software.

- alfred -

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> was that massive W10 update that happened in November

Please type <WindowsKey><R> and then start WINVER<ENTER> ... which version of Windows 10 do you get shown?

My experience with Windows 10 is quite good, as long as you make sure the drivers are from Windows 10 and not from a previous Windows release.

And as long as you are not based on Fall Creators Update (which would show version 1709 from command WINVER), because that version of Windows 10 is not really stable with all the programs it installs (especially Framework) ... also shown in >>>that AKN article<<<

But I think the issues are not perfomance issues after 2-3hours, they are more about crashes of the software.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

I think this is the problem Alfred and your response is making me more even more confident that 1709 is the problem. As I mentioned in my OP, I am using 1709 and I think the problem started with that update. That's why I'm thinking that I'll roll it back to the previous version before 1709 to see if it solves the problem. But let's say that works, aside from postponing 1709 for 30 days by pausing the update, how are you managing to keep 1709 off your computer?

[Anonymous]

I think this is the problem Alfred and your response is making me more even more confident that 1709 is the problem. As I mentioned in my OP, I am using 1709 and I think the problem started with that update. That's why I'm thinking that I'll roll it back to the previous version before 1709 to see if it solves the problem. But let's say that works, aside from postponing 1709 for 30 days by pausing the update, how are you managing to keep 1709 off your computer?

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> how are you managing to keep 1709 off your computer?

I'm on professional Windows and I have configured that my updates are not installed automatically.

- alfred -

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> how are you managing to keep 1709 off your computer?

I'm on professional Windows and I have configured that my updates are not installed automatically.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Alfred,

I am also using Professional and here is a screen shot of my settings. It would be of great help to me if you could tell me what I need to change to make it so that they are not installed automatically. Do I simple change the middle drop down box to 365 days as opposed to 30?

[Anonymous]

Alfred,

I am also using Professional and here is a screen shot of my settings. It would be of great help to me if you could tell me what I need to change to make it so that they are not installed automatically. Do I simple change the middle drop down box to 365 days as opposed to 30?

[pendean]

The Fall update for Win10 did nothing here in our offices sadly, so I suspect something else also updated that is scanning your AutoCAD session and not letting go of memory not used. Check again before you roll back.

[pendean]

The Fall update for Win10 did nothing here in our offices sadly, so I suspect something else also updated that is scanning your AutoCAD session and not letting go of memory not used. Check again before you roll back.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> if you could tell me what I need to change to make it so that they are not installed automatically

Sorry, here's the end of my English knowledge as I only have German operating systems on my devices and it's hard to find the equal page in English then.

But what looks best from Google:

http://windowsreport.com/block-fall-creators-update/#1

Sorry & hth, - alfred -

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> if you could tell me what I need to change to make it so that they are not installed automatically

Sorry, here's the end of my English knowledge as I only have German operating systems on my devices and it's hard to find the equal page in English then.

But what looks best from Google:

http://windowsreport.com/block-fall-creators-update/#1

Sorry & hth, - alfred -

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I guess I'm just  stuck until the next update hopefully makes it better because the rollback to a previous version is no longer there. I guess you only have that option for 10 days after the update from what I've read online. And it's certainly not worth doing a clean install over.

Oh well, if anyone has any other suggestions that are ACAD specific, I welcome them.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I guess I'm just  stuck until the next update hopefully makes it better because the rollback to a previous version is no longer there. I guess you only have that option for 10 days after the update from what I've read online. And it's certainly not worth doing a clean install over.

Oh well, if anyone has any other suggestions that are ACAD specific, I welcome them.

[maratovich]

Check RAM when deceleration occurs.
Is there a free RAM ?

There may be a memory leak, it takes up all the memory.

[maratovich]

Check RAM when deceleration occurs.
Is there a free RAM ?

There may be a memory leak, it takes up all the memory.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe that's it. Even when the problem is at it's worst, I'm only using about 18% of my ram.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe that's it. Even when the problem is at it's worst, I'm only using about 18% of my ram.

[tony_csogroup]

I thought it was me! This is driving me nuts!

I'm on Windows 10 version 1709 (OS build 16299.192) and it slows right down. Even after an hour of use.

I'm using an 8 core, 32gb, Nvidia Quadro M5000. AutoCAD only using about 400mb of RAM.

I've noticed that when you enter some commands, the command window flashes a couple of time before it becomes active.

Restarting AutoCAD fixes it for a short time, but I've tried deleting all temporary files and even repairing the installation. Nothing works.

I only noticed it after the latest Windows update.

[tony_csogroup]

I thought it was me! This is driving me nuts!

I'm on Windows 10 version 1709 (OS build 16299.192) and it slows right down. Even after an hour of use.

I'm using an 8 core, 32gb, Nvidia Quadro M5000. AutoCAD only using about 400mb of RAM.

I've noticed that when you enter some commands, the command window flashes a couple of time before it becomes active.

Restarting AutoCAD fixes it for a short time, but I've tried deleting all temporary files and even repairing the installation. Nothing works.

I only noticed it after the latest Windows update.