Reduce size and layers

[Trisha]

Hi!

 

I am working on a drawing that have about 300 layers. This drawing is quite big(80Mb) and I need som help to reduce it.

In the main drawing all the layers is neede, but in the change that I am working on it`s not necessary. I want to get all the layers in one layer, and reduce the drawing as much as I can. I shall use this drawing as a background-drawing and draw in a new layer on top of the background-drawing.

Thank you in advanced for any tip and hints:)

[Englishman in Montreal]

Its easy to do, but you may have some issues with line types and line weights, if within thos 300 layers you have different settings i.e. if you transfer thos 300 layers to one layer all of thos layers will take the properties of the new host layer.

If you wish to proceed:-

Make a new Layer, say name it (background)

In model space fence window entire drawing (blue grips will show)

Open layer properties manger

Make background layer current

Now everything will be on that layer

[SuperCAD]

Use the LAYTRANS command. That will do what you want.

[Cad64]

PURGE and Delete Layer Filters to help reduce the drawing file size. And Detach any image files that may be in the drawing.

 

I would advise against putting everything on one layer. You're just asking for headaches. If you just want this drawing as a background, why don't you Xref it into a new drawing?

[Trisha]

How can I Xref it to a new drawing?

 

I also have one more question. I have changed the color of all layers to grey(252). Most of the lines have now been grey, but there are a lots of blocks on the drawing and none of those have changed color. Do I have to explode all the blocks to change color? And is there possible to explode all the blocks with one command?

[ReMark]

Xref drawing? Consult our AutoCAD FAQ section for an introduction to Xrefs.

 

Explode a block? Don't do that! You'll be sorry. Exploding a block will add even more entities to the drawing than you already have.

 

Change block color? Go to CADalyst Magazine and click on CAD Tips. Search for tip #1902 re: Change Block Color. Download and use this lisp routine.

[Trisha]

Thanks! I think I will have to read a bit about it.

I`m quite new on autocad and I am so glad I found this forum:D

[Trisha]

I only have acad 2009 LT. Does that mean that I can`t use lisp?

[ReMark]

Trisha: That is correct. LT has no native ability to read/use AutoLisp. There is an after-market program that adds this capability but it isn't free.

 

 

My fault as I failed to read the LT designation in your profile. My sincere apology.

[Trisha]

No problem;)

Is there another way to change all the blocks without exploding them?

I have tried to search a bit about xref, but I can`t really find any answers to my questions. I have also read in the FAQ.

What is the advantage by making an xref? Will this reduce the size of my drawing?

[nocturne00]

No problem;)

Is there another way to change all the blocks without exploding them?

 

Isnt the purpose of a block already as you mentioned. edit one block and all other blocks with same block definition will be updated to be the same.

[nocturne00]

I have tried to search a bit about xref, but I can`t really find any answers to my questions. I have also read in the FAQ.

What is the advantage by making an xref? Will this reduce the size of my drawing?

 

XREF's greatly reduce filesize by,,, sort of breaking down the file itself by splitting entities of the drawing.

for example, you've been asked to make a Site Development Plan of a Project, but having all entities on a single file makes filesize large- buiding plan, site developments(trees, shrubs, walkways, gazebos etc), labels, dimensions and all the rest.

The purpose of the xref is to split these entities into separate files and then use xref to unite them on one file, but filesizes of each entity will remain with the separate files and not carried over with the mother file.

am i making any sense here?

[Trisha]

Isnt the purpose of a block already as you mentioned. edit one block and all other blocks with same block definition will be updated to be the same.

 

 

I guess so, but I have tried changing the color on the block by setting them to color "by layer", but the lines is still the same color. Is there another way to do this?

[kwortman]

Use block editor to edit the layers within the block to BY LAYER.