Large Library possibly infected with corrupt objects

[ares997]

So I just started trying to optimize a very massive library (970mb) that has a ton of legacy objects in it. Some of the objects are way over one meg.

I have been trying to figure which is the best way to optimize this library for the office. So I just removed anything that was over 200kb to a separate location. Though I feel that there are still objects within the library that are corrupt and possibly saved out as non-binary objects.

What I would like to do but I'm not sure if it is possible is to open>save as a new object that is binary. Another thing I was attempting to do was to just convert the objects into Morphs since most of them or just objects saved as GDL parts. The problem remains that there are a lot of objects, some of them aren't optimally sized and potential saved in a manor that isn't conducive to efficiency. Therefore I would like a batch method for solving this issue. Something like creating an Automator script that would open the objects and save them out correctly.

Any suggestions for optimizing libraries would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks Archicad Team!

[Dwight]

That is quite a punishment. You must have been bad. It seems like a lot of work for elements that might not be used again… and, how much space/loading time do you expect to save? A gigatron isn't that much to carry as a library.

Have you considered that instead of going through the torture of messing with and evaluating file code, you use a management approach instead.

Categorize elements into smaller groups: frequency-of-use or specialized areas that all users might not need? Maybe a catalog? I assume these are mainly downloaded 3ds files?

But I agree that corrupt files will get you into trouble down the line. How did they get that way and how could they be checked, except by individually opening, testing and imaging?

Since the most efficient Archicad file is GDL code, you are wasting time trying to find a smaller alternative, and binary files eliminate any possibility of extracting code later or intelligent surface-reassignment.

[Karl Ottenstein]

+1 to all that Dwight said...

Also... converting to Morph as you mention (vs as-needed) would be counter-productive as ArchiCAD has no management tool for Morphs: you would have to save each Morph in a MOD file and users would have to figure out how to browse them - and when to browse the file system for morphs vs the library for objects. The Object tools provide browsing, preview and search. Stick with them.

[Anonymous]

I would start by opening current projects without that library loaded and see what parts are missing. This way you can assemble a list of what is currently in use and sequester the rest in an archive/legacy library.

If you have truly corrupt parts that reliably generate errors you can do a search and destroy mission by loading all the parts into a new file and do a binary search for the bad guys. There is a command in the Special menu (which requires special efforts to activate depending on version and OS) to place all parts from loaded libraries. Once in place select half and "show selection marquee in 3D". Repeat by halves until you find all the culprits. (I am assuming the problems are just in 3D since I've never run into such problems in 2D.)

Strategically speaking I recommend spending as little time on this as possible. I suspect most of the stuff is of little consequence.

[ares997]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions and response.

So I have placed all the objects and found some bad parts which was really easy with Matthew's Special Menu activation suggestion. Though now I am at another cross road. I am in the process to Leaning out our template files from various under utilized objects, and I want to globally change the materials. I have read in a few places that this isn't possible. Is that still the case or is there a work around to adjusting materials of these corrupted parts within this vast object landscape?

[vfrontiers]

Loosely Related....

I am experiencing some "OLD AGE" issues (both myself, and my library parts)..

Since updating the HF3 of AC16... I find that all my old parts have been "saved" as the old A/B Ratio... so resizing is ... well.. impossible. Most of these parts are HIGH use and I'm quite sure have been updated (since 6.5)...

It is inconvenient and detrimental to open them all up, switch it back to the proper selection and save these object (thereby blessing them into AC16 and rendering them useless in legacy files)

Before I go digging into exactly what happened (which I will not count out my OLD AGE)... I am wondering if any one here has heard or experienced such a phenomenon....