Large File Size

[Anonymous]

I am currently working on a 3D drawing done by someone else, it's over 1 GB in size. I have traced the large file size down to 1 or 2 solids. The one I have found is over 700 MB in size, It's not an overly complex part so I'm not sure why this is. I tried to use the clean up command, it froze autocad for about 25 minutes before I gave up. Does anyone have a solution for how to fix this issue?

[j.palmeL29YX · Accepted solution]

First I would delete all solids (ofcourse in a copy of your working file) an check the new filesize.

If the file is still unusually large, search first for causing this (a large list of scale factors, unused RegApps, unused block definitions, unnamed blocks ...).
Next I would analsye each solid. First delete the modelling history (brep command), next look for (perhaps) unnecessary details (fillet's, chamfer's,  ...). Also a cleaning (solidedit->body->clean) should be done.
Also the wblock command can help to reduce the filesize ...

From the far it is hard to give good hints, the above are only some first ideas.

cadder

[ChrisPreece]

Hi @Anonymous,

I see that you're posting for the first time. Welcome to the Autodesk Community, and thank you for posting your question here in the AutoCAD forum.

I just wanted to follow up on @j.palmeL29YX's great suggestions by offering a few links:

PURGE

-PURGE (R for regapps)

BREP

SOLIDEDIT

WBLOCK

This article also contains a couple of reliable solutions for reducing file size. Let us know if this helps. 

If this post answers your question or solves your issue, please click Accept as Solution so others in the community can find it easily.

[rabl6AJRA]

From my experience file sizes larger then 300-500 MB are for Autocad even on fast computers with 32 GB RAM impossible to open. (Frozen for hours like 1 or 2 and only kill helps). If smaller 3d file is open (150 MB like) its impossible to rotate view or so.. or work with. Its just Autoicad. Sorry not designed for LARGE FILES. (or with 3d mesh inside)

The only solution is to have Bentleys Microstation. Microatation can read plenty of 3d file formats and mainly DWG. After open and save to DGN all is 10x or 50  times faster. You can zoom rotate even model what was 900 MB in Autocad. DGN file size reduces its size 3-4 times so ending with file.

My recomendation when you need section ar generate hidden lines ... No Autocad could do it. (even program like Rhinoceros failed in opening such large file sizes)

Byt Microstation works. Generating such can take few hours but its done. 

(There are some exceptions when it fails too, honestly I realized this failes too, but 99% it works).

I am really sorry but this situation prolonges all the time since Autocad beginnings. All past 30 years cam Microstation (nowadays they call it Bentley Open Building Designer) handle super large 3d and 2d projects and Autocad can not. Good luck. I know the way.

Example from real life:

same file in Autocad has  623 MB and in Microstation 178 MB.

(Microstation opens it when converted into DGN in 60 sec. Zoom all in about 8 sec.)

(I don´t remember already what time it took to Convert it from DWG to DGN but it could be in a range 15 to 30 minutes)

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> From my experience file sizes larger then 300-500 MB are for Autocad even

>> on fast computers with 32 GB RAM impossible to open

It's not the file size, it's the type and structure of objects which makes AutoCAD looking fast or slow.

I can create a file with just 300-500kB (not MB) and you may not be able to open it on a 64GB system.

On the other hand I have files with multiple 100MB which are not quick, but which can be handled well, especially with the new faster rendering modes/visual styles of the newer AutoCAD releases.

>> same file in Autocad has 623 MB and in Microstation 178 MB.

May be, but when you convert a file from DWG to DGN you also convert object types.

We just need to make sure we don't speak about different objects, but yes, in general, there exists system which can handle large dwg-files (again depending on object types) with more performance.

- alfred -