1: Run the ._PURGE command. This will allow you to purge (or delete) unreferenced items like blocks, layers, dimstyles, etc.
2: Delete all unused layer filters. This was a huge problem a few versions ago in AutoCAD, because named layer filters were carried from drawing to drawing like a virus. You could easily end up with thousands of them. To delete, run the ._FILTERS command. (this is an undocumented command, but it is part of AutoCAD, so there is no add-on needed). The ._FILTERS command was added to R2006, so if you are still on R2005 or earlier, you will need the lisp file found here. (if you are not sure what to do with lisp code, see this)
3: Delete all unreferenced Regapps. Regapps are REGistered APPlication names. I have seen drawings will tens of thousands of these. You will have to use the command line version of the purge command (-purge) to purge these out. Add this to a toolbar button: (command "-purge" "_R" "*" "_N"). The output will be something like this:
Deleting registered application "EPAN100008_091928567580".
Deleting registered application "EPAN100008_094639251560".
Deleting registered application "EPAN100008_100698363170".
Deleting registered application "EPAN100008_111048971960".
Deleting registered application "EPAN100055_130935314550".
Deleting registered application "EPAN100055_133687974070".
Deleting registered application "EPAN100055_160874393360".
Deleting registered application "EPAN100055_161662973360".
....
....
Deleting registered application "EPLT79869_081758743487".
Deleting registered application "EPLT80159_093406689353".
Deleting registered application "EPLT80159_093454012749".
Deleting registered application "EPLT80159_093462674631".
Deleting registered application "EPLT80159_093565515344".
Deleting registered application "EPLT80159_093648013441".
Deleting registered application "EPLT80159_093767728351".
Deleting registered application "EPLT80159_093796266854".
Deleting registered application "EPLT933242145_878928800000".
20483 registered applications deleted.
In this particular drawing, I only deleted the regapps and the drawing file size went from 2679k to 1515k.
Labels: Add-on utilities, AutoCAD, AutoCAD 2008, Tips
PermaLink Posted 11/12/2007 12:26:00 PM
Comment from:
Date: November 12, 2007 at 4:17:00 PM CST
Hello R.K.
Just wondering if C3D or LDT require any of these registered apps. If so do you know of a list of regapps for C3D & LDT?
I purged 58 regapps & most of them had names that included acad. DCA, Civil, AEC or SDSK.
Any ill efects due to removing these?
John Mayo
Comment from:
Date: November 12, 2007 at 4:59:00 PM CST
You've been kicked (a good thing) - Trackback from CadKicks.com
http://cadkicks.com/adkautocad/Drawings_larger_than_they_should_be
Comment from:
R.K. McSwain
Date: November 13, 2007 at 6:43:00 AM CST
John, the PURGE command should only purge unreferenced objects, including regapps. So I don't see any harm here. We have been doing this for a long time with no problems.
Comment from:
Date: November 13, 2007 at 7:56:00 AM CST
Comment from:
Date: November 26, 2007 at 5:40:00 PM CST
Hello R.K.
We have had problems with large files and found a lisp routine that purges empty or 1 item groups. This has reduced some of our file sizes to 10-15% of their original size. The one we found is called purgegroups.lsp. We have had no ill effects using this as far as I can tell so far.
Take care,
Comment from:
Unknown
Date: February 27, 2008 at 12:06:00 PM CST
Anyone have a thought as to how I can remedy this problem on my autocadlt 2002? Large drawings that sometimes have little to nothing on them, I do remove all and still the drawing is around 3Kbytes. As soon as I use a part of the drawing elsewhere then it makes the new drawing large...and even if I delete everything the drawing still remains huge. Your help would be greatly greatly appreciated. Thank you.