I keep crashing & Invalid files

[KevinF]

Hello World,

In short, 2007 keeps crashing when working through files above 20mb, some as high as 100mb and more.

We all have HP Workstations xw6200 and dual processors and also use Autotrack when working on these large files

We can't use XREFs because of the way we work, (most of files end up on a Mac as graphics after we have proved / disproved our intentions), so everything is embedded.

Also, once the file has crashed 3 or so times, it becomes invalid. :banghead3

Are we doing something really stupid in our ignorance as we are all self taught or does anyone have any useful suggestions.

(P.S. working across many files needs to be avoided if at all possible).

Regards,

Fustrated and balding of London Eastside.

[VERYCIVILDRAFTER]

It's probably the file size vs computer power.

Honestly I can't work in a 50mb drawing. Are you creating a lot of 3D entities?

What are you're workstation specs?
RAM, Video Card, bus speed, etc.

Embedding everything will create unnecessary massive drawings. Do you use blocks? I'm very curious why you can't use xrefs, would you care to elaborate?

[KevinF]

It's probably the file size vs computer power.

Honestly I can't work in a 50mb drawing. Are you creating a lot of 3D entities?

What are you're workstation specs?
RAM, Video Card, bus speed, etc.

Embedding everything will create unnecessary massive drawings. Do you use blocks? I'm very curious why you can't use xrefs, would you care to elaborate?

Hi and thanks for responding.

To answer your questions:

No, we don't use 3D or rendering etc. We do have use hatches (both line and colour) to differntiate elements though.

As to RAM and the video card etc, I havene't got aclue - I got taught IT a few years before you, and we had a PE Teacher, so we learnt from one of the original IT boffins within our class and not the teacher provided.

We have learn't to embed files because, A) they keep going missing, even when linked and B) when looking down through a tower perhaps, (The latest one being 15 layers and 42 floors) we need to look a tying hoists and the like to viable rooms, so we prefer to insert the files and turn them on and off as required etc.

Yes we do use blocks, again typically the levels, the logistical elements and othere relevant info.

I have to admit that we are blighted by our own ignorance and we have found it impossible to attend a course due to our responsive workloads.

It may help if you knew that we dealt with Construction Logistics with varying phases to be shown, which are compounded by many changes.

Thanks for your time.

Kevin.

[VERYCIVILDRAFTER]

As to RAM and the video card etc, I havene't got aclue If you have Windows XP=
Right Click the My Computer icon on your desktop,
Click Properties
Now wright down all the info at the bottom right of the window and post it here.

We have learn't to embed files because, A) they keep going missing, even when linked and
Files go missing when folders and files get moved.

B) when looking down through a tower perhaps, (The latest one being 15 layers and 42 floors) we need to look a tying hoists and the like to viable rooms, so we prefer to insert the files and turn them on and off as required etc.
You can do the same with xrefs. However, when you UNLOAD an xref you remove all of the data from a drawing and free up (system resources) computer power! If you were to say, make each floor a separate drawing you could xref those drawings into a working drawing and load and unload (floors) drawings as you see fit.

we have found it impossible to attend a course due to our responsive workloads.
That's something a lot of companies struggle with, including my own. Just like AutoCAD licenses and printers; training is part of the price of doing business. If you've worked yourself into a hole with drawing sizes then you've already surpassed the breaking point.

[KevinF]

Hello again, your comments are really appreciated.

The properties are:

XP Pro with SP2.

The workstation itself is:

HP Workstation xw6200
Intel (R)
Xeon (TM) CPU 3.60 GHz
3.60 GHz 2.0GB of RAM

There is an icon saying "supported by HP invent"

"You can do the same with xrefs. However, when you UNLOAD an xref you remove all of the data from a drawing and free up (system resources) computer power! If you were to say, make each floor a separate drawing you could xref those drawings into a working drawing and load and unload (floors) drawings as you see fit."

Thanks, none of us had thought of this.

Thanks again and regards,

Kevin.

[csiarch]

In addition to the suggestions made by VCD, there are the usual "file housekeeping" procedures; purge often and vigorously, hard drive defrags, the extensive use of inserted blocks for repetitive objects.

A thorough perusal of the Autocad help files, especially the topics about working with large file sizes, would be time well spent.