How can I make heavy xrefs easier on my system?

[Siberian]

Sometimes I get xrefs that just seem to drag the system down - also on high end systems. This especially happens if I start throwing the view-cube around. Have you got any tricks on how to make such xrefs more "easy" on the system?

[ReMark]

What are the specs on this so called high end system? Judging by the details of your system I would add more RAM for starters.

 

Before xreffing in a drawing make sure you Purge it.

 

You could always turn off many of the bells and whistles that come with Windows to free up more memory.

 

Temporarily disable your anti-virus program.

Edited February 3, 2013 by ReMark

[Siberian]

The specs listed in my profile is my home system, which is not the system in question. My workstation at work has 32 GB RAM, Intel i7-3960X, and a Radeon HD 7970 GPU. Shouldn't be a problem I think.

 

Purging sound sensible. If the xref is mostly made up of blocks, would it be "heavier" than if it was all just linework? What if I explode the whole thing?

[ReMark]

I would not recommended exploding it.

 

32GB RAM? It should be smooth sailing.

[CheSyn]

I had a similar problem where the client sent a drawing with thousands upon thousands of scales loaded in it. I deleted all the duplicates and mine sped up.

[Cad64]

If the xref is mostly made up of blocks, would it be "heavier" than if it was all just linework? What if I explode the whole thing?

 

Don't explode. That will just make matters worse. Blocks help keep file size smaller. Exploding will just make the xref even heavier.

Save a copy of your xref before doing any of the things listed below:

Delete all paperspace layout tabs, as they serve no purpose in an xref

Delete any unnecessary elements from model space. Keep only what you need for the project you're working on.

Audit

Purge using the -PURGE command and be sure to include RegApps

Reset the Scale List with the SCALELISTEDIT command

Check to see if there are any unreferenced or missing images attached to the drawing and detach them with the IMAGEATTACH command

Also check for unreferenced xrefs that might be attached to your xref and detach them

[RobDraw]

Another one that can cause problems is when there are Attributes in the XREF that are not associated with a block. The result of exploded blocks that have attributes.