File Size Problem Autocad LT2002 (long) 2

[nmaher]

Hello,


So here's the problem - I have a file (any file that I've created and worked in) that is, let's say 1.4 megs and has enough stuff (objects, layouts, etc.) to justify that file size. When I erase everything out of that drawing so that all I'm left with is Layer 0 and Defpoints with no Text Styles, Dim Styles, etc. the file size is still 300-400k. There are no block definitions, un-named groups or any hidden objects that I can see other than when I go to the default Layout, Layout 1, which you cannot erase and I type "e", "all" it says that it finds 1 object which is the paper space view port, but it won't let me delete it. It ends the command all by itself.

So, what I'm left with is a file that, as much as possible, contains NO information, is still several hundred k.

However, if I start a new drawing that contains the exact same information, i.e. nothing except the defaults, the file size is 24k (avg.). But if I bring in any object, even one line, from one of the drawings that I've already worked in the new file becomes "corrupt" and cannot be brought back to the original 24k file size. Very, very frustrating.

If I open any of the "corrupt" drawings using the notepad I can see a whole host of lines of information that are not contained if I open one of the 24k reference files with the notepad. How do I get rid of this "tail" of information that is getting tagged on to all of my drawings!?!?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nate

 

[Exxit]

Hi Nate,

can You mail the "empty" *.dwg to me (look into my profile). I think it's not realy empty...

Lothar

 

[mirekp]

Use the command “_adcenter” and try to discover if the “empty” drawing is really empty.

Mirekp

http://www.mitcalc.com

Mechanical calculations

 

[nmaher]

Lothar,

The email has been sent, thanks in advance for any help.

Mikerp,

Designcenter confirms that there are no blocks, xrefs, dimstyles, text styles, layers or layouts other than the "standard" which cannot be deleted.

Nate

 

[Exxit]

Hi Nate,

You are right, but if You try "_audit", AC checked 4600 objects. I don't know where!?
Solution: Export the *.dwg to R12.dxf. After that the file-size is smaller...

Lothar

 

[nmaher]

Lothar,

Thanks for your help but unfortunately this doesn't really solve my problem. When I saved a test file as a r12 .dxf the file size actually increased 10 fold. Granted, it did allow me to erase everything and get down to a file size of 8k, but in terms of working size this solution seems to make the problem worse. Even if it did work I can't save, and don't want to save, all my files as R12 .dxf's as the format does not support xrefs or ttf's.

And I had noticed the object count in the audit as well but I have no idea what they are, or for that matter, where they are. Nothing more can be erased. It is as if there are items in the database that are referring to things that I do not have control of. I'm left wondering if this isn't a result of working with another firm's drawings who are using an extension of cad or aftermarket add-on.

This has become an amazingly frustrating issue.

Thanks again to those offering help. I cannot believe that Autodesk offers NO support other than fee-based services. This software is by no means inexpensive or simple to use. Okay, I'm done ranting.

Nate

 

[jghrist]

Have you tried the PURGE command to eliminate unused blocks, layers, etc.? As a test, I took a 3.57 MB drawing, deleted all layouts, selected all entities from the edit menu and deleted, then saved it. It was still 2.82 MB. After purging all, the file size dropped to 29.9 kB.

 

[DISH]

As the ACAD help section say's
"Purging removes only ONE level. For example, if
purging a layer removes the only reference to a
linetype, the linetype is not purged until you purge
again using the Linetype option."
I created a button with the following command
"^C^C_PURGE;A;;N;_PURGE;A;;N;_PURGE;A;;N;_TEXTSCR;"
It purges to a depth of three layers (ie purge three times in a row). It effectivly removes those stubborn, deep down there things that you want to get out.
Hope this helps a bit...

 

[nmaher]

Gentlemen,

I'm intimately familiar with the Purge command and have completely purged everything from the drawing. I've even checked to make sure that the entries listed under "items that cannot be purged" consists only of the basic elements of autocad which cannot be purged. For example, the only dimstyle that is left is the standard, same for the text style. There is literally nothing left in the drawing.

What I have been able to determine is that there is information contained within the drawing that cannot be removed. This information can be seen by opening the drawing in the windows notepad and looking at the actual code that makes up the drawing. If I compare one of my stripped files to a new drawing I would expect that there would be approximately the same amount of information contained in this text version of the file. What I have discovered is that add-on programs to autocad such as architectural desktop (which my firm does not use) write database information into every file that they create and when elements of these drawings are brought into other autocad drawing programs the information comes along with it. The element copied can be as simple as a single line.

I simple cannot comprehend how this is acceptable since it literally inflates the size of every file by 300 to 400k. The wasted server space alone is mind blowing.

Any additional help is greatly appreciated.

Nate

 

[cadcoke5]

I had a very similar problem. It wa an AutoCAD bug where it wouldn't purge its own drawing view cache. There also seem to be other ways that AutoCAD will swell up with unpurgable stuff.

However, there was a solution for my problem. If I did a "purge all" from MODELSPACE, it would remove the bad data. However, I had to do this every time I saved. If there were no blocks to purge, it was important to create a temporary block which I could purge.

Joe Dunfee

 

[nmaher]

Unfortunately, there is no "purge all" command in AutoCAD LT. However, I do not think that this issue is related to items that would normally be handled by the purge command anyway. The informatino that is contained within the bloated file appears to be connected to AutoCAD utilited that some consultants use - and when we import pieces of these drawings into our own it "corrupts" the file and causes the bloating. As I mentioned the only way to detect this information is to view the file in a text viewer like "notepad". It is extremely frustrating.

Anyone else?

Nate

 

[CarlB]

For purging non-graphical information, such as layer filters, extended data, etc., I'd suggest you ty CDG Purge. Free download at

http://www.caddevelopmentgroup.com/Downloads.htm

 

[nmaher]

Carl,

Unfortunately the program to which you refer requires the user to have added on a "lisp enabler" in order to run cdgpurge. Software that includes a lisp enabler is cost prohibitive ($500 - $700).

Thanks anyway. And if anyone knows of a lisp enabler that doesn't cost as much as the program itself I'd be interested in taking a look at it.

Nate

 

[CarlB]

How about LT-Extender, for $100. Download and try the free evaluation.

http://www.lt-extender.com/englisch/frameset.htm

 

[davelowe]

I have the same problem. It seems to come about when a 3D object is exploded in the drawing. Then copyclipping any entity out brings with it 10,800 objects which cannot be purged. Blank drawings with 1 line in can then be upto 1mb in size. I have ACAD2002/2004, not LT. Does anyone have a solution for these releases?

 

[Exxit]

Hi davelowe,

try

http://www.manusoft.com/Software/SuperPurge/index.stm

. it's shareware...

Did you try CarlB's tip?

For purging non-graphical information, such as layer filters, extended data, etc., I'd suggest you ty CDG Purge. Free download at

http://www.caddevelopmentgroup.com/Downloads.htm

Best regards Lothar

ADT 2004
ACAD 2002

 

[cadcoke5]

I can vouch for the great usability of LT-Extender. I've been using it for a while now with LT 2002, and it has actually been more stable than when I was using the full version of 2002.

As for taming the problem drawings... SuperPurge (or other similar software) seems to be the only fix. There seem to be a zillion ways for an AutoCAD drawing to get messed up internally.

Another method I've used in the past to deal with problem AutoCAD files is by using the AutoCAD clone, IntelliCAD (around $200). It has been able to open corrupt drawings that AutoCAD couldn't recover. I think it has a timed trial if you just want to try it to fix the problem file. It is distributed by a few different companies under their own lable, including

http://www.cadopia.com

and

http://www.bricscad.com(but

the SuperPurge program is a more direct approach)

Joe Dunfee