AUDIT
Use the AUDIT command regularly, errors will always creep in, so don't be afraid to Audit.
PURGE
Use the -PURGE command and choose 'R' to Purge any Registered Applications 'RegApps'. This should be used from time to time to ensure that Civil 3D files don't become 'bloated' with hundreds and potentially thousands of RegApps that are not required.
Close and Re-Launch Civil 3D every few hours...
I was once told that by closing and reopening Civil 3D every now and then you will free up resources and clear the temporary files cache etc. It's worth a try, even over your lunch break would be a good start...
Clean out your 'Temp' Folder
Check that your Temp folder on C: Drive (C:\Users\username\appdata\local\temp\) has been cleared of excess temporary files periodically. As a general rule I will ensure that I keep the last few months worth and delete the rest (When was the last time you had to go that far back to recover a temp file...?)
Plan your Project
Where possible (Sometimes these things are out of our control) try to plan how you want to set up your Project to maximise your productivity and flexibility to cope with those inevitable changes when they come...! It might be worth talking to other Designers who have designed similar projects to see what suggestions they may have.
Data Shortcuts, Data References & External References
Using Data Shortcuts, Drefs (Data References) and Xrefs (External References) can be a great way to reduce the size of drawings and to keep unnecessary data out of your main file. Depending on the size of the project you may wish to use all or none of these, but definitely consider using them and remember that it will always be easier setting these up at the beginning of your project!
Separate your Project into Multiple Drawing Files
For all but the smallest projects it is usually worth splitting your project into several drawing files.
As an example, you could...
- Create an Existing Survey Drawing. Data Reference the Existing Surface and Xref the Linework and Point Symbols into a separate Design Drawing.
- Create a Design Drawing (For Alignments, Profiles, Corridors, Design Surface, Pipe Networks etc.) You may wish to separate some of these Civil 3D Objects into other drawings for large projects...
- Create a Production Drawing for your Sheets. You could use several drawing files for larger projects, split up by discipline. Ie. Civil, Traffic, Drainage, Landscape, Section Views, Profile Views etc.
One Drawing Sheet per Layout Tab
Setting up your project with one Drawing Sheet per Layout Tab is another way to improve performance. The time saved publishing will usually be benefit enough!
A maximum of 6-8 Layout Tabs per Drawing File seems to be the 'Magic number'.
Section Views & Profile Views
- During the design phase try to keep your Section View and Profile View styles as simple as possible.
- Output your Section Views to a separate Drawing File. You can export to AutoCad but will lose the dynamic link to your design. Alternatively, this can be achieved using a combination of Data Shortcuts, Data References and Xrefs (Ie. Xref Corridor into Section View File as an 'Overlay', Data Reference in the Alignment, Design & Existing Surfaces and Create Sample Line Groups and Multiple Section Views in this Section View File).
(Note: You could go a step further and use the Section View File (As above) as an an Xref. Then when you create a Section View Sheets File, the Corridor Xref will be 'Left behind' (Due to being an 'Overlay') and will be even faster... In theory anyway!
- Consider deleting Profile or Multiple Section Views when not required (You can always recreate them later).
Hardware Acceleration
Ensure Hardware Acceleration is turned 'On' in the 'Manual Tune' area using the 3DCONFIG command.
Layout Viewports
Turn Layout Viewports to 'Off' when not required to save on regeneration time.
Toolspace Window & Tabs
Turn off the Toolspace Window or unused Toolspace Tabs when not required...
From the Autodesk Civil 3D Help...
"Closing the Toolspace window can help improve overall performance as well as save memory, so it is recommended to close the Toolspace window when it is not necessary to have it open. Likewise, it is recommended to close the Toolspace tabs (Prospector,Settings, Survey, or Toolbox) which you do not need to have open."
Ensure PROXYGRAPHICS is set to '0'
If set to '1' Civil 3D will be saving images of surfaces, points etc. so that basic AutoCad users can see them. This can result in much larger drawings and a reduction in performance.
Installing the Object Enabler will allow non Civil 3D users to view the objects natively, or you could use AECTOACAD to export to AutoCad.
(Note: PROXYGRAPHICS is a drawing based variable so it needs to be set in each drawing).
Set LAYOUTREGENCTL to '0' or '1' (But not to '2')
This variable controls the caching of the Layouts in your drawing.
If set to 0, the Drawing is regenerated each time you switch Layouts.
If set to 1, the Model Tab and the last Layout made current are cached.
If set to 2, all Layouts and the Model Tab are cached.
Caching the Layouts will prevent a regen when you switch between tabs., but it also uses up system resources that Civil 3D can use to improve performance and stability.
(Note: LAYOUTREGENCTL is a system variable so you only need to set it once).
Use of Styles and Labels
Where possible, try to use basic styles and labels until the drawings are ready for the production phase.
Surfaces
Turn Surfaces off when not required and try to keep the display as simple as possible (Ie. Try not to display contours at 0.1m intervals when designing in hilly terrain!).
Corridors
- Consider Switching off Regions when not required.
- Ensure that 'Auto-Rebuild' is turned 'Off' unless required.
- Consider using basic Code Set Styles (Ie. Top Links Only) where possible. and leave the more complex Code Set Styles with Material Area Fills and Base Layers until required.
Dealing with Corrupted Drawings...
(link to great post by Being Civil)
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