AutoCAD Tip: Audit and compact large DWG files

Keep large DWG files healthy to prevent slowdowns, plotting glitches, and instability. Here’s a compact, repeatable routine to audit and compress files without sacrificing fidelity.

Quick maintenance checklist

• Backup first: use ETRANSMIT to zip a snapshot before cleanup.
• Audit errors: run AUDIT and choose Yes to fix detected issues.
• Clean xrefs: use RECOVERALL on host drawings to process all nested xrefs in one step.
• Purge aggressively:
  • -PURGE A (All), repeat until 0 items remain.
  • -PURGE R (Regapps) to remove rogue registered applications.
  • SCALELISTEDIT, Reset to clear bloated custom scales.
• Remove duplicates: run OVERKILL to delete overlapping/duplicate geometry and simplify polylines. Set a sensible tolerance and enable “Optimize segments.”
• DGN contamination: if present, use DGNPURGE to remove orphaned DGN data that can explode file sizes.
• Compact saves:
  • Set ISAVEPERCENT to 0 temporarily, then SAVE. This compacts the DWG; you can restore your preferred value afterward.
  • Optionally WBLOCK out the model to a fresh DWG to eliminate hidden baggage.
• Strip proxies when needed: EXPORTTOAUTOCAD (or AECTOACAD in verticals) to remove heavy proxy objects before sharing externally.

Why this helps

• Faster open/save and regens, especially on network/cloud storage.
• Reduced crash risk from corrupt or legacy data.
• Lean transmittals and smoother coordination with consultants.

Command-line recipe you can paste

AUDIT Y
-PURGE R *
-PURGE A *
-PURGE A *
SCALELISTEDIT R
OVERKILL

Run the purge commands repeatedly until there’s nothing left to remove. Follow with SAVE after setting ISAVEPERCENT to 0 for a compacted file.

Best practices and cautions

• Schedule it: perform the full routine weekly on active projects and before major submittals.
• Clean dependencies: open each XREF with XOPEN and apply the same steps; bloated xrefs bloat hosts.
• Images and underlays: prefer externally referenced rasters and PDFs. Remove unused attachments and thumbnails; reattach with relative paths.
• Materials, styles, and blocks: purge unused content libraries. Use WBLOCK to rebuild frequently reused details into lean, standalone blocks.
• Version strategy: if partners require older DWG formats, consider saving from a clean, compacted file to minimize legacy bloat.
• No undo for purge: always keep a ZIP via ETRANSMIT or a version in your DMS before deep cleaning.

For licensing, add-ons, and expert guidance on optimizing AutoCAD workflows, connect with NOVEDGE at novedge.com. If you’re building automation (scripts/LISP) to batch-run this routine across projects, the team at NOVEDGE can help you select the right tools and ecosystem.

Pro tip: add these steps to your project kickoff and closeout checklists. A disciplined audit-and-compress habit keeps files nimble, collaborative handoffs painless, and your AutoCAD environment performing at its best.