Performance issues in AutoCAD products with files that have high coordinates

Autodesk Support

Jun 11, 2024

Products and versions covered

Issue:

Performance issues with simple and complex models in AutoCAD software such as:
  • Crashes during commands
  • Freezes during commands
  • Freezes while opening files
  • AutoCAD closes unexpectedly without any error message
  • Simple commands cause AutoCAD to slow down significantly
  • Slow performance.
  • Display issues.
  • Cursor will not show anymore during the creation of orthographic drawings.
  • Offset between mouse and crosshair.
  • Faulty snap behaviors.
  • Insulation not displayed on bends or elbows.
  • Other unexpected behaviors (such as in orthographic or isometric drawings).
  • Mouse cursor jumps over.
  • Dimension grips disappearing

Causes:

  • Drawing content starts extensively far away from the origin point (0,0,0).
  • High coordinates create more data (larger numbers) in the drawing, which require more resources for all computations.
  • AutoCAD calculates in decimals to compute distance. AutoCAD and most verticals products (like AutoCAD Plant 3D) use different point nodes than Autodesk GIS products (like AutoCAD Civil 3D or AutoCAD Map 3D, which are optimized for using models in high coordinates).
  • The drawings contains MPolygons, that are not being able to edit. 
  • Polylines are used with large numbers (100+) of vertices. 
  • Large area hatches. 

Solution:

Possible solution options:
  • Move the content of the drawing to nearby 0,0,0
    1. Define an internal, project based, insertion point close to the origin point of the drawing. Then make your working files close to the origin point.  
    2. Only upon submitting work to clients and stakeholders, reference your work drawings into the project official insertion point on the high coordinates.  
  • Reduce file size by removing incompatible, imported data and unnecessary data in file, using WBLOCK command.
  • Using FILLMODE = 1 during work, will turn off the filling of hatch objects but increase the response time. (Activate FILLMODE will turn off filling for hatches and surfaces. It must be followed by a REGEN command). 
  • Turning off hardware acceleration as long as the work is in 2D format.  
  • To draft with higher coordinates, AutoCAD Civil can process high coordinates for drawings objects.
  • Split the drawing into several drawings.

Products:

AutoCAD for Mac; AutoCAD LT for Mac; AutoCAD Products;

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