Large SW's Assembly file (excess file size from shadowing maybe?)

[fatherfuh]

I have come to realize that parts used in a major (iterative) design seem to grow larger in file size during the assembly's progression. For example, I downloaded a 3 MB ball valve and attempted to simplify the part be cutting/removing the modeled screw thread. I assumed that by removing complicated geometry, the file size would shrink; vital necessity when incorporating into an assembly of over 1000 parts. Much to my surprise, when I saved the file, the size grew to 6 MB. I took advice from a colleague and saved the modified file as a new name, basically creating a copy of the part. The part was now a mere 500 KB.



Apparently, this effect is multiplied when iterating the large assembly over the course of several months. An assembly I am working on topped 8 MB. To mimic the saved copy of the part method, I began saving copies of the assembly under a new name. Again, the file size shrunk to 3.5 MB - good news.



My problem is this: My assemblies and littered with references within the assembly. I really need some advice on how to copy a new version of the assembly while maintaining my relationships. Also, why in the World does Solidworks save so much junk, hidden within the files, consequently expanding the overall file size?

 

[fatherfuh]

In an attempt to shrink the file sizes of my large assemblies, I have been toying with saving copies, or saving the files under a new name. For some reason this dramatically lowers the overall file size.



I have had success in doing so by using the save as feature and playing with the "External References" option. To make this work, I have to save as my referenced part, say an extruded tube (fitting to fitting), which is referenced to two surfaces, under a new name. Then I save as the entire assembly, enter the "External References" option, double click the referenced file (the tube), and choose to reference the newly named part (basically a copy of the original tube). I save as the assembly as a new name, and when I open this new assembly, my new file is in working order, maintaining my external references.



So while I have solved my problem, I realize that this in NOT efficient when my assemblies contain 20-40 referenced parts. I would have to save each and every part that is referencing the assembly under new names. This would take way too much time to complete.



There has to be a way to simply enter a new name for the part - in the "External References" option, and make Solidworks automatically create the new, copied part, under the new designated name. The tutorial leads me to believe that this IS a feature, but it is not working for me. ANY ADVICE?

 

[SBaugh]

SW Explorer

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[DrGonzo]

Try using EcoCom's Ecosqueeze found at

http://www.ecocom.com/eng/index00.htm

The real problem is not in that SW saves junk it is ole2 fragmentation.

Best part it is freeware. I use it all the time and it really cuts down on size. Of course this is dependant with how many times the files are saved, not necessarily how many times they have been opened.

Hope this helps,
Dr. Gonzo