File Size Limitations ?


architect
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I have an apartment building project that has a file size of 60mb and a layout of 20mb. Most of the 3d items are in except electric.

Chief is working fine now but I still have a lot of cad and details to go.

 

Has any one run up against problems or limitations related to file size other than slowness from the program standpoint. (not hardware)

 

I did a search for file size limitations but did not find any info. (maybe its not a large file for others)

 

Thank you for your feedback.

 

Eric

 

I7/ 12gb ram / GeForce 780

 

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In theory 2 GB is the limit. But I think if you get a file approaching that you will run into performance problems that prevent you from actually approaching that limit. As far as I know no one has ever come close to hitting this limit.

 

Typically CAD details and embedded images are the main culprits for file size usage.

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We've done a block a 15 apartments, Chief did start running a bit slow but it got the job do. Final file size was 65Mb on X5

I am currently working on a 1920s house with lots of internal detailing as well as lots of external landscaping file size is 115Mb seems to be running fine.

One thing I did do was to trim the default Camera back to just walls,roof and terrain and then made an internal camera view layer and an external layer just to speed things up when I want to look a it in 3d.

Also make sure you save lots..

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In theory 2 GB is the limit.

The largest plan file I have done to date was 120Mb, a 1,000,000 SF, hexigon shaped, 8 story Hotel. I think that was in X3. Cumulated 3D face count is the most important limiter to performance (or expander in terms of file size), like Perry said, round 3D objects add the most vaces per squrare inch, another one is symbols imported from 3D Warehouse (skp files) that can natively contain uber-3D faces and slow things down.

You always get what you create and pay for it in performance or the lack there of.

 

There is no reason that your CAD details must perforce be in the same plan file as they tend to weigh down a plan file as well, they can be stored-created in a separate plan file if you like.

 

DJP

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Generated 3D data is not stored in the file so railings, moldings, etc. don't contribute much to file size. They do however contribute to memory usage. 3D data is rarely more than a minor contributor to file size. 3D data from symbols like cabinet hardware etc. have only 1 instance stored in the file so the cost in the file is small even though there may be 100's of them.

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I am currently working on a 1920s house with lots of internal detailing as well as lots of external landscaping file size is 115Mb seems to be running fine.

One thing I did do was to trim the default Camera back to just walls,roof and terrain and then made an internal camera view layer and an external layer just to speed things up when I want to look a it in 3d.

Also make sure you save lots..

 

Good tip about a camera view set that only has exterior items!

 

Btw, would love to see some pictures of your 1920's house with all that detailing.

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The Raytracers were a bit rushed as we had tight dead line and it was 11.30 on a Sunday night but we used the model on our big screen for the client presentation and they seemed really happy..

 

Raytrace Time 30mins each

Model Build time 40hrs

 

post-189-0-45038800-1401864983_thumb.jpgpost-189-0-78586300-1401864964_thumb.jpgpost-189-0-14726600-1401865019_thumb.jpgpost-189-0-06342700-1401865165_thumb.jpgpost-189-0-35087900-1401865221_thumb.jpgpost-189-0-13166800-1401865238_thumb.jpg

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post-50-0-33510900-1401883984_thumb.jpgpost-50-0-03835200-1401884010_thumb.jpgpost-50-0-72686800-1401884024_thumb.jpg

The Raytracers were a bit rushed as we had tight dead line and it was 11.30 on a Sunday night but we used the model on our big screen for the client presentation and they seemed really happy..

 

Raytrace Time 30mins each

Model Build time 40hrs

 

attachicon.gif18LUC Front View sp.jpgattachicon.gif18LUC Front View s.jpgattachicon.gif18LUC Rear View sp.jpgattachicon.gif18LUC Rear View s.jpgattachicon.gif18LUC Living Room sp.jpgattachicon.gif18LUC Living Room.jpg

Thanks for sharing that Allan.  It is great when we share with others the time spent doing things.  We then become aware of what is possible. Now for my blistering comments.

 

The time spent to create the model sounds pretty good.  Not sure if that included measuring time on site and whether it included a full set of structural plans,  but pretty darn good.  You did have a bit of time developing the site with the retaining wall,  steps and slope bank in front.

 

The 30 minute time for each ray trace is awful.  Not sure what kind of machine you are running or your ray trace settings.  I use the crappy ray trace method,  (under 2 minutes).

 

 I think my ray traces may be better in a fraction of the time,  you be the judge.  You can probably speed up your production if you were to find out why your ray traces took so long and why they are not any better.

 

(3) crappy ray traces are attached (2 minutes each).

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post-50-0-37208400-1401885070_thumb.jpgpost-50-0-97312500-1401885080_thumb.jpgpost-50-0-52557000-1401885093_thumb.jpgpost-50-0-12436500-1401885103_thumb.jpg

 

And since we are sharing,  this  project took 40 hours.  Modeled off of an architects set of plans.  It took an additional 20 hours to take wall elevations of all rooms sans closets,  that was quite a surprise,  a lot longer than I would of thought.  All of these jpegs are renders and not ray traces.

 

Again,  this is for comparison sake.  It helps us all know what is possible and gives us goals to shoot for.

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Site measure took 6 hrs for two people and no structural drawings.

 

Yes render time is crap but I think it was the 3d tree and the size of the model.

 

I normally go for around the 5-8 minute mark, I've attached another project which I think came out with similar results at same setting but 6 min Raytrace time.

A lot less detailing inside and less trees outside 

File size is 58mb

post-189-0-40275500-1401942273_thumb.jpgpost-189-0-73944900-1401942297_thumb.jpg

 

We also have a few spare computers in our office so I normally set up five or six at a time and then go off and do something else..

 

 

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6 hours for the measure sounds a bit. High. For a job that size typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours with two people. You might want to join us this Saturday for our ON LINE MEASURING WORHSHOP. you might pick up a few tips and you could share a few tips.

I'm anticipating picking up some very good tips and hoping to learn more about the laser measures.

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