ABS large files better in 2007?

[claus]

Hi..

In ABS2006 we had very large files, 18MB and that was a bit too much. Is this problem solved in the 2007 version?

[Beth Powell]

If you have files that big, then you need to break them down more. A new version isn't going to cure that for you.

If you have a large building, you should put each floor in a separate drawing and consider dividing it in logical locations on each floor as well.

[claus]

Hi.

This Q. is not about how to create and build up files, because this is already done.

This file on 18MB is just one of more files. This is actually only HVAC. Besides this there are piping (13MB) and electrical (8MB). So each file is between 8 and 18MB, and that is way to much. As an xref we have the architecture plan. You can easily imagine, that the file is so big, that the CPU can´t play along, and that is the case. It takes way to long time to draw.

This must be a miscalculated problem from autodesk, because other software such as Magi CAD and CAD vent, doesn´t take that much space.

I also have to say, that this project isn´t that big. It is an alright big project, but not something outstanding, but when getting a project that´s much bigger, what do we then do??

But as i hear you say it, there isn´t any solution, other than the one to make separate files.. Alright, thanks for the response, i just hoped, that the new 3D build in ACAD could take out this aswell.

[Beth Powell]

I haven't seen any noticeable change in file size saving between 2004 and 2007 format.

I will point out just in case you were not aware that besides doing an audit and purge the other areas that will slim down a drawing are to do a purge of layer filters or at least delete some and to purge ABS items. The ABS items are not purged in a normal purge. In 2007, the Purge Building System Objects was moved to the rest of the utilities under the file pulldown. As I recall, it was previously under MEP Common pulldown.

You must have to have some serious RAM to open your drawings.

Best of luck!

[claus]

Hi Beth.

I saw another having the same problem in another topic.

Yes this causes very slow performance, but if theres no other way out, then some serious RAM must be ordered. I have 2GB now, but maybe i must get some more.

And thanks for the answers

[Beth Powell]

Be sure if you add RAM that you do some investigation. I can't remember exactly, but there is a point where you have to do something special to get XP to recognize the additional RAM. I can't remember if it is more than 2GB or more than 3GB. Otherwise it won't do any good.

Good luck!

[Steve_Bennett]

Break the HVAC, Electrical & Plumbing into seperate files & then xref together. That would cut down on file size significantly.

[Steve_Bennett]

Be sure if you add RAM that you do some investigation. I can't remember exactly, but there is a point where you have to do something special to get XP to recognize the additional RAM. I can't remember if it is more than 2GB or more than 3GB. Otherwise it won't do any good.

Good luck!If more than 2GB, then you must need to do something special. I thought the max was 2GB, but then again, I've been using a laptop maxed out with 2GB of RAM for the last few years & haven't been paying much attention to the desktop market.

[claus]

Hi Steve.

I agree completely (I don´t think more RAM will do it any better), and my suggestion was alls that the files should be braked up more.
This works alright for HVAC, because we can break the file in parts for each HVAC system. Electrical isn´t a problem. Piping on the other hand is more a problem. We use tags an schedules and that works poor then the drawing is shared in xref´s.

Thanks for anticipating in the thread.

[claus]

One more thing. We use ceiling grid in each room, and this takes very much space?

We do this, so we can anchor to the cells, and this is great, but it takes alot of space.

[Steve_Bennett]

Hi Steve.

.....Piping on the other hand is more a problem. We use tags an schedules and that works poor then the drawing is shared in xref´s.

Thanks for anticipating in the thread.I have not had issues with tagging & scheduling thru xrefs - provided I'm using Project Navigator. If you have nested xrefs, sure you might have to go back and manually attach the PSD to the objects in the base file, but it still works.

[kyle.bernhardt]

The largest controllable contributor to a complex file like that is going to be the Hidden Line cache. This will allow the drawing to open without calculating the hidden lines, resulting in significant gains in load times. You can control this in the ABS Crossed Objects tab in your options dialog.

Also things like surplus ABS objects, excess styles, and RegApps can add to drawing sizes. In general though, file size is not going to be the main cause of load times, this is usually associated with the calculation of hidden lines, among other factors.

I could speak at length on this subject, but do not have time right now. If you guys have specific question I'm sure that I can address them.

[claus]

Thanks my man. I will definitely try this...