HUGE Template file size 7

[CajunCAD]

I have been working with some drawing templates and now I notice that they approximately 6MB each. The drawing templates that SolidWorks installs are less than 100K.

Is there a way to bring down my file size without starting over?

I do not have any large graphics files embedded (only 1 graphic - company logo @34.3K). My font is CenturyGothic, I do have some linked properties, and a 5 column x 4 row Excel revision block attached.

I went so far as to delete everything in one of the templates (incremental steps to monitor changes) and the file size did not decrease.

Any ideas on how to "clean up" my templates would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to start over.

Louis

 

[TateJ]

There is a utility out there called UNFRAG.
SoidWorks doesen't officially support it.
But it works on all OLE applications - of which, SoidWorks is one.
Many people have used it - myself included - with no problems.
Don't ask me exactly what it does.
Search for it on the WWW.
Back-up your templates before you run it.
I use it every few of weeks on all my SolidWorks files.
This should drastically reduce your file sizes.

​

tatej@usfilter.com​

aka: Little Debbie's Boy-Toy​

 

[SBaugh]

Also look at ecosqueeze

http://www.ecocom.com

Regards, Scott Baugh, CSWP
credence69@REMOVEhotmail.com

http://www.3dmca.com

http://home.insightbb.com/~scott.baugh/

*When in doubt always check the help*

 

[josephv]

Hello Louis,

Is the logo a JPEG? If it is please note that JPEGs greatly increase the file size when inserted as an OLE object. Here is an excellent article, that has a work around:

http://support.crystaldecisions.com/library/kbase/articles/c2008518.asp

The work around is to use a BITMAP (please read the article for more details).

cheers,

Joseph

 

[dhinners]

Wow. josephv, it looks like a likely suspect. One note, in the link it mentions the file was reduced from 11Mb to only 3Mb. That's still big, probably because of the size of the bitmap. When you convert your jpg logo, make sure that your bitmap file uses the lowest possible number of colors. Usually you can get away with 256 at most, sometimes only 16 or 2. That will reduce the file size alot.

 

[CajunCAD]

I found that reducing the number of colors from 24 bit to 8 bit, resizing the image, and saving as a .GIF are giving me the best results.

I am also utilizing the UNFRAG utility. My file sizes are going from 6+ MB to 180K.

Thanks to all for your help.

PS
I am also rebuilding each template from the SolidWorks supplied drawing template te ensure that whatever corruption occurs when the .JPG is inserted doesn't follow my new files.

 

[CajunCAD]

It appears that to update a drawing made with the huge template I must start a new drawing and then copy the drawing views from the original file to my new file and then save the new file with the original name.

I tried replacing the template in the original drawing file and it did not reduce the size as much as the method above.

Just a little information for anyone trying to address this situation in their system.

Louis

 

[CajunCAD]

Easier fix found!

Open the original file.
Replace the drawing template.
Save.
Unfrag.

This will get the maximize the file size reduction and minimize the work.

I am doing this in an off-line folder and ensuring that the files open after the Unfrag before placing them in their original location.

Louis

 

[dogarila]

I wouldn't worry about Unfrag. I've been using it for a good while now and never had any problem with it, nor heard anyone had.

Andrew