How to create empty drawings in C3D

[Neilw_05]

Sometimes we need to create empty drawings that have no embedded blocks, layers, etc. For example we often create an empty drawing and add XREFs to files from other sources, then move scale and rotate them to fit our project. I know this can be done if we start the new file using plain AutoCAD but I am wondering if this can be done from Civil 3D. It would greatly simplify our workflows if I can find a way for my users to not have to worry about how they start their files.

[Neilw_05 · Accepted solution]

Well I should have just tried starting a new drawing from a blank template. It works. I was expecting C3D to add all kinds of layers and blocks that it needs to function. Problem solved.

[BrianHailey]

You can also create a drawing without a template as well but Civil 3D will still go through and create all those horrid "Standard" styles.

[Neilw_05]

I never noticed that option. Great tip!

[Neilw_05]

Brian,

Can you recommend a way to clean out a drawing that was started from a C3D template? I want to reduce it to a completely empty drawing.

[deltacoolguy]

This may or may not apply, but I'll give it a whirl.

We sometimes have a need to reference an aerial photo into our projects.  I hate referencing the image itself, as I find them difficult to deal with.  So, what I do is...

1. Start a new drawing and give it a temporary file name.
2. I will then image-reference the image once into that drawing.
3. WBLOCK the image to a new drawing file.  The external reference parameters are retained.
4. What I have now is a drawing file with the image file only, and whatever layer the image reference is on.  Nothing else.  The file size is quite small.

This works well with blocks, too, just you'll have a bit more info because of the block itself.

[Anonymous]

I usually WBLOCK what you do want to keep.

[cwr-pae]

This is about as empty a template as you can get.

[deltacoolguy]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I usually WBLOCK what you do want to keep.

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Right.  I WBLOCK what I want to keep and it goes to a new drawing file.

[deltacoolguy]

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@Anonymous wrote:

This is about as empty a template as you can get.

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Maybe I misunderstood.  I thought he wanted an empty drawing with only an xref.

[Neilw_05]

There are probably several ways I can think of to move everything into a new file but it would be best if I could just clean up the existing file if possible. That is the solution I am looking for.

[BrianHailey]

You can purge unused styles out of the file via the manage tab. If a style persists in the drawing, it's being used. If you want to remove it, right click on it in the settings tab of the toolspace and choose "Replace with...".

Hope this helps.

[cwr-pae]

So you are just trying to get rid of unused styles and other clutter in an existing drawing with some styles kept?