FILE SIZE MAXIMUM

[PKINGSTON]

I use data shortcuts and xrefs to create my design drawing.  I have include snapshots of my two largest projects so far. Is there a limit of how large of a file you can use in Civil3D? 

Could you reduce the files size without losing surface creation survey or special layers?

[rl_jackson]

How was the EG Surface created, my guess is LIDAR or DTM in that case you'll need to reduce the density of the dataset

[PKINGSTON]

I reduced the density of the Lidar line by the weed function. Is there more commands to use to reduce size? @Anonymous

[rl_jackson]

I've been using @TerryDotson LIDAR TOOLS there available in the APPSTORE

LidarTools | Autodesk Civil 3D | Autodesk App Store

[PKINGSTON]

We use a drawing that was created from LAS files. However, we do not create this file instead we use the Query command to redraw into a new drawing. Can we still use those commands?

[PKINGSTON]

After fixing the Lidar if I ever do, what about the shortcuts vs xrefs? How can reduce my linework file? The linework file has alignments, pipe networks, and profiles. Does that make a difference?

[rl_jackson]

You can make the adjustment with the tools to the LAS files, even select only ground (0 or 1) so that you remove all the stuff that is not ground data. From there just recreate your DS the EG surface to the the various alignment profiles

etc...

Check out Best Practices in the help, regarding DS vs XR, and if you need additional help start a new thread for that.

[samir.rezk · Accepted solution]

Hi @PKINGSTON 

Divide and conquer is my rule of thumb! Design each category in a separate drawing file. existing ground drawing, alignment drawing, grading drawing, pipe network drawing etc… the more drawings the better, if for example you 10 large pipe networks to design, don’t hesitate to subdivide them in a couple of separate drawings! 

Then use data shortcuts to reference Civil 3D object and AutoCAD Xrefs to reference AutoCAD geometry to assemble the sheets and construction deliverables. To make it easy to handle the references, try not to have a design file drawing with AutoCAD and Civil 3D objects living together, keep them separate!

For surfaces, especially Lidar, you might consider using the Create Cropped Surface to divide up the large surface into smaller areas or quadrants if there is a large acreage for the project site.

Performance is impacted with large drawing, personally I prefer to invest the time in managing references and data structure working with small drawings than waiting while working on a a single large but slow drawing!

Just my thoughts,

[PKINGSTON]

We do not get the LAS file data. We are provided a drawing with the data added to it. Then we redraw in Query.

[PKINGSTON]

My boss informs us that he wants to be able to see the entire project in one drawing. That includes utilities and paving for public use. 

Is this way of thinking old or is it possible to design in one drawing still?

[neilyj666 · Accepted solution]

You can do everything in one drawing but that gets you back to your original point and those files are far too large to be practical. I would follow @samir.rezk advice and crop surfaces and break up the data to work on separately. You can always xref or use data shortcuts to bring the data together again (but all separate).

Another reason for following the "divide and conquer" advice is if your dwg crashes you may have a lot of work to get it back a usable state especially if you have gradings

[PKINGSTON]

Thank y'all for helping. I have separated the files and they run smoother then before.