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Thread: Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

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    Question Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

    All,

    I have a very large file that I need to reduce in size if possible.

    The file started life as a 3d file generated from 'laser scan' From that a 2 d file was generated and then underground pipes were overlay-ed in another layer.

    Because the file was generated from a laser scan there millions of entities hence a large file. I would like the drawing to remain looking the same but will never need to change those entities.

    Can those millions of entities be merged into something else and act like a background and reduce the file size?

    Thanks in advance.

    Don Gryder

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    Administrator rkmcswain's Avatar
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    Default Re: Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

    Quote Originally Posted by don.gryder
    All,

    I have a very large file that I need to reduce in size if possible.

    The file started life as a 3d file generated from 'laser scan' From that a 2 d file was generated and then underground pipes were overlay-ed in another layer.

    Because the file was generated from a laser scan there millions of entities hence a large file. I would like the drawing to remain looking the same but will never need to change those entities.

    Can those millions of entities be merged into something else and act like a background and reduce the file size?

    Thanks in advance.

    Don Gryder

    What are these entities? If each one is composed of two lines that make a cross for example, then you could make a block out of this cross and then replace each set of two lines with a single block definition.

    If these entities are just POINT objects, I doubt this exercise will save much file size...

    You could also WBLOCK the "Static" entities out to a separate DWG file and then XREF it back into the main drawing. When you don't need to see this stuff, you could unload the XREF, then load it back for plotting for example.
    R.K. McSwain | CAD Panacea |

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    ACA/AMEP Community Chair stelthorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

    You might also try doing an AUDIT and a PURGE on the file and depending on your version of CAD an OVERKILL. When doing the purge make sure you also do a command line purge (-purge) and purge Reg Apps.

    Personally, I would do what RK McSwain suggested and make the background information an xref.

    Hope this helps.
    Scott Telthorst
    Quality Control Manager
    Helix Electric, Inc.
    www.helixelectric.com

    Some see the glass as half full, others as half empty. As an engineer I see the glass as twice as big as it needs to be. ~Unknown~

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    The Silent Type Mike.Perry's Avatar
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    Default Re: Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

    Hi Don

    Please note I have *moved* this thread from the Education forum to this one...

    If you are not using AutoCAD, please let me know which Autodesk product you are using. I will then *move* this thread to the corresponding Autodesk product forum.

    Thanks, Mike

    Forum Manager

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    Default Re: Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

    One of way to reduce the size of file is don't save file with Rendering , Shading entities.

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    Smile Re: Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

    All,

    Thanks to all for the info. We will try what Mr. R.K. McSwain suggested.

    The millions of entities are random lines that gives the impression of terrain elevation changes even though it's only a 2d drawing.

    The drawing is of a housing complex that's built on the side of a hill. The 2d drawing can show underground service locations in relation to buildings and structures by displaying the appropriate layers.

    I'll be wading out into, what is for me, un charted waters so I'll probably be right back here to 'guru station'.

    Thanks to all.

    Don Gryder

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    Default Re: Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

    I had a DWG with 2000 KB filesize.
    I could not find the problem, until I realized that there were 3 images in drawing (OLE objects).
    When I deleted the small OLE objects on the lower right corner of the drawing, my filesize dropped from 2000 KB to 160 KB.

    Nice tip the "overkill" command, I never heard of it before and it works deleting duplicates objects.

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    Default Re: Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

    Hi,

    I have a very large file that I need to reduce in size.

    Is has just 3 poly lines in it and the file size is 10MB. As soon as I copy anything from this file to another file, the other file also increases in size.
    I tried Purge, Audit, WBlock, Scale list Utility, Purge Regapps, Recover but all in vain.

    Can someone please help.
    Thanks in advance.
    Sonal

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    Default Re: Methods / ways to reduce DWG file size

    Quote Originally Posted by sonal.jawale364999 View Post
    Hi,

    I have a very large file that I need to reduce in size.

    Is has just 3 poly lines in it and the file size is 10MB. As soon as I copy anything from this file to another file, the other file also increases in size.
    I tried Purge, Audit, WBlock, Scale list Utility, Purge Regapps, Recover but all in vain.

    Can someone please help.
    Thanks in advance.
    Sonal
    Without seeing the file, it's hard to guess.
    But try this.

    Run the SAVEAS commans, and choose the R12DXF file format
    Then in the top right corner of the SaveAs dialog, click on Tools, then Options, the DXF options.
    Check ON the "Select Objects" button.
    The proceed to save the file.
    It will ask you to select objects.
    Only select the 3 polylines.
    Now close this file, and go look at the resulting DXF file.
    Is the file size smaller? (Mine is about 7k)
    R.K. McSwain | CAD Panacea |

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