Best way to 'compress' a huge contour map file?

[MAREBER]

I'm not sure I am using the correct terminology, so please bear with me...

I have a rather large contour map (85,006 KB) dwg that I need to attach into another site plan dwg. The problem is that when I do, the main drawing gets so stuck that I have to keep shutting it down. So, is there a way to open the contour map dwg, compress it, or group it, or something... to make that file smaller, without the billion snapping points,  so it doesn't keep lagging down my main drawing when attached?

[CyberAngel]

In Civil 3D and Map 3D there is a built-in Weed function that lets you remove excess vertices from polylines, i.e. contours. You specify a percentage of vertices to retain, such as 60%, and it removes the other 40%.

 

Without Civil 3D, you'll need to find an AutoLISP function. There are several out there. I would search for one that you're comfortable using and that suits your needs best.

 

On the other hand, if the map is much larger than your site plan, you could draw a border around your plan and trim away the extra information. I guess you would have thought of that already.

[MAREBER]

Thanks. I am only using CAD 2016, so no fancy weeding tools.  I don't even know what an AutoLisp is, so guess I will have to research that one. The contour map is the same size as the site plan.

[BIGAL]

Yes there is a program called Weed.lsp that removes vertices. As mentioned there is another program called Cookiecutter.lsp you draw a border then can remove all outside of the border.

 

Google "Weed.lsp Autocad".

 

You will need to look up how to run a lisp program in simple terms type Appload and choose you lsp program, it should give some hints about how to run.

 

 

CookieCutter2_v1.0.lsp

[MAREBER]

Thank you both!