Handling big projects

[Marcel Cooper]

I am trying to use Archicad V28 to model an 29 home development with all it's infrastructure. This is meant to be BIM software so one file should contain al the data. However, with only 29 bungalows and garages, the file is becoming  so unwieldy that it takes 20 minutes to open and to save. We have top line graphic workstations and new gigabyte network connections to the server and checking task manager when opening/saving shows CPU, RAM, HDD and networks are bubbling along nicely at 25-30% so why does it take so long?

We were previously Microstation users and in 1986/1987 (yes, I am an old CAD user) I won the European Golden Mouse award for project visualisation when I modelled a site for 197 houses in full 3d (every brick & every tile a 3d object!) on the mind numbingling slow PCs we had then - but I couldn't contemplate doing the same thing now on Archicad V28 - what is going wrong?   

[CosminF]

I would take a look at this article: https://graphisoft.com/us/understanding-what-contributes-to-archicad-file-size

Also, in my most complex projects, I overcame similar issues, by hotlinking and simplifying complex elements (for example, a cylinder shape can be a good replacement size-wise for a sprinkler head, no need to see every tiny little intricacy of its geometry). Not to mention deleting superfluous elements from an architectural standpoint (rebars in beams, columns and slab - while I do understand this can be important from a fixing standpoint and you want to avoid hitting those, I found that importing them from IFC and can overload the archicad file.)

Also for the tiles example - i used a surface texture (image), properly scaled and aligned with the floor plan fill representation so they would match in both 2D and 3D and which I could properly annotate for construction.

[Marcel Cooper]

Thank you for considered advice. 

Our models include the essential items only - we couldn't even contemplate things like foundation reinforcement. All the house types and garages are hot linked in. We do our best to keep models clean, but in a site plan with 35 hot linked design type, there must inevitably be some duplicitous references.  

The tiles and brick reference was to what we had to do to achieve phot realism back in 86/87 and we certainly don't do it now - from what I recall, we have better ways of working by the early 90s.

[Lingwisyer]

Just to clarify, is this a Teamwork file?

[Marcel Cooper]

No, this isn't a Teamwork file and so the physical route for data transmission is direct from my top spec graphic workstation to the server through a certified gigabyte network. 

 I think is just that we are on the limits of what this software can handle and my worry is simply that if struggle to handle this small site of 29 homes, how will I manage with the next phase of 70 homes?

[Barry Kelly]

Were the hotlink files created in the same Archicad version as the main site plan?

If they are an older version I have see this cause slowdowns, as Archicad seems to be trying to 'convert' them into the newer version.

Barry.

[Lingwisyer]

Are you hotlinking MOD or PLN files? Are there many embedded objects in the source files?

[Laszlo Nagy]

There is a Hotlink Management - Workflow Guide on the Learn Portal, which details a few strategies of handling hotlink modules. Utilizing them can also help you with these performance issues, I believe.

[Barry Kelly]

Another tip (and this depends on how many different hotlink modules you have) is to have them all open in running Archicads.

Then the master file does not have to open and close the files in the background.

Of course the more Archicads you have open, the more RAM you will need.

Barry.