Import AutoCAD file = huge Revit file

[rob.127056]

I imported a topographic survey into my site plan and now my Revit file is huge (180 megs). How can I reduce the file size?

[sonya]

- clean up and compress the file before you import it
- if it is still huge make a copy of the file & delete all the information that you aren't going to show in revit eg. if you have a lot of information beyond your site boundaries
- you could also try linking the file and not importing the data

[Justin Marchiel]

did you create a topo surface from the imported drawing? if so you could simpliy the surface (i do with some good success because it can delete over 3/4 of the extra points and still have a good replica of the site).

Justin

[sjsl]

Link it in instead of importing.

[dhurtubise]

First get ride of any unnecesary DWG, then you can try the compress option in the save dialog boxe.
Also, are Workset enable ?

[rob.127056]

I did a test and deleted my imported survey and it didn't change my file size. I am very new at using Revit and I had a problem last week and I used a back-up file because my file was corrupt. I didn't notice the file size at the time and that is about the time I imported my survey so I thought that is what caused my large file size. I am thinking now that the survey import is not the problem. Any ideas?

[sonya]

you probably need to compress(?) the file or whatever revit calls it
you get to this via "save as" & click on the option button

[mibzim]

180 meg!!!! Thats ENORMOUS!!! I don't think i have ever managed to get a file up to that size, and i have worked on some pretty big projects.

Did you import it into all views... i suppose you would have had to coz topo by import won't do 2D at the moment. Importing into all views means its 3D and with all that CAD info in there it can really slow it all down. Like the others suggested trya nd clean up the CAD file - sometimes it is an error in the CAD file that affects the revit file.

You spoke about a problem that made you revert back to a backup - was it a serious problem and could that be what has caused it?

What else have you got in the project and how much modelling have you done? I would say that if its a fairly new project without many views it would be good to try and start afresh and copy what you already have into a new project.

If you are on subscription i would DEFINITELY send it off to the support centre for troubleshooting, so they can identify the problem.

[s.messing]

I imported a topographic survey into my site plan and now my Revit file is huge (180 megs). How can I reduce the file size?
1. What was the file size before?
2. Size is not always a direct correlation to speed, but...
Check out this thread on performance optimization (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=45580). The site should DEFINITELY be its own file linked into the main model unless you have an immensely important reason to keep it in the same file. When you link the site into the model, counter-link the model back into the site.
And: importing almost always takes up more space etc. compared to linking.
Also, heed the advice of everyone so far because everything that people are suggesting is right on the money.
A clean link is a happy link.
Good luck and keep posting. It'd be helpful and interesting for all of us if you could let us know the differences in size and speed as you cycle through the various options suggested.

Cheers,
Stephen

PS: We had a file about two months ago topping out at 160 MB and we used some of these cleaning techniques to get it back down below 75 MB. Now, its creeping back up but the team knows what to do to work it back down, so they can take care of it without my help. Progress...

[rob.127056]

Thanks for all the responses. I ended up doing a save-as and renamed the file. The file is now 19 megs. It is nice not having to wait five minutes to save.
Thanks.

[s.messing]

LOL.
I always love when everybody comes up with long and complicated answers and the final solution is simple. Glad to hear it has been resolved.
Cheers,
Stephen