Options to reduce file size in Revit

[Anonymous]

I have a relatively small Revit model but the file size is huge and is running slow. I have tried the purge unused command but it doesn't do much to reduce the file size. Are there other options for doing so?

[aRcHiTeCt.JM · Accepted solution]

.... check if you have loaded .dwg or images... it's better to link those

... some families as well are too heavy , check those too , you can link a just families part

[barthbradley]

Does the file have a lot of CAD imports in it? Can you convert them to Links?  

[Anonymous]

I do have families loaded that I created in Inventor. I have tried a few different settings in Inventor to reduce the size of the families. Was hoping there was something more. 

[ToanDN]

How big is a typical family with the inventor import?

[Anonymous]

Not sure about the typical size but the model I bring in is fairly large and there are 6 instances of it. They are about 10,000 KB each. I know that is the majority of my problem. Does anyone know about how to make it smaller during family creation in Inventor by chance? (I know, wrong forum) But my total file size is 150,000 KB. Purge unused didn't do much at all to reduce it. 

[ToanDN]

10 MB for a family is plenty big. I don't use Inventor so I cannot suggest anything within the program. What is it you are modeling? Any chances it can be created directly in the Revit family?

[jayhar · Accepted solution]

Hi,

It's hard to answer the question without looking at the model, but here's few basics you can try -
1. Purge the model to remove unused families, materials, etc.
2. Try to look at used families' sizes. Take the biggest ones and purge them or even simplify them for your needs - ad load them back into model.
3. Get rid of any unnecessary imported or linked CAD files. While linked files are easy to remove from dialog box, imported files are a nightmare. But there are a few add-ins for this. Search 'reviTTools' on Google.
4. See if you can delete any redundant views or sheets.
5. If you have any 'In-Place' families, try to replace them with component (external) families.
6. At last, detach-audit the model.

If all this does not get you a fairly workable model, you might want to split the model into multiple Revit files - e.g. one for exterior, the other for interior etc.

[Matt__W]

@Anonymous can you post a link to a copy of the model for review? It will certainly help in determining the root cause of the file bloat.

[Viveka_CD · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

Here is an article which touches on a lot of reasons for slow performance in Revit. There are some steps to try such as disabling add-ins that you can try.

You may also want to check out reducing file size in Revit and improving performance

http://bim4scottc.blogspot.com/2016/05/reducing-revit-file-size.htm

If you find posts have solved your problem, please click on 'Accept as solution' to help others with similar questions. Likes welcome.

Regards,