Struggling With Large Vectorworks File Performance (Lag, Freezes, Export Issues)

[Lana]

Hi,

 

I’m looking for some advice on managing a large Vectorworks file. Our current project file is about 742 MB. It includes 129 layers, 66 sheet layer viewports, and 6 referenced files. As the file has grown, performance has gotten much slower—especially when zooming or navigating on sheet layers. We’ve also had a few instances where Vectorworks freezes entirely, requiring a restart and causing some data loss.

 

Another issue is that when we publish a full set of sheets, some pages occasionally export with distorted or proportionally stretched visuals. 

 

Has anyone dealt with similar file sizes or performance problems? Are there best practices, optimization tips, or workflow adjustments that could help improve speed and stability when working with large, reference-heavy projects?

 

Thank you!

[Pat Stanford]

What operating system and hardware are you running. Specifically, how much RAM and VRAM (or Mac Unified Memory) do you have? That will make a large difference in performance.

 

Also, what version of VW are you running?

[Lana]

Hi Pat,

 

Thanks for responding so quickly! I am running on a Mac OS version 14.7 with 32 GB memory. The version of VW is 2024 update 7. If you have any advice on optimization tips, or workflow adjustments that could help improve speed and stability when working with large, reference-heavy projects?

 

Thank you!

[michaelk]

That's not an unreasonably-sized file for VW.

 

I've had files nearly twice that size run very smoothly.  

 

In addition to what Pat said about RAM (which is very often the problem):

 

Things that can cause problems:

1. Not enough RAM
2. Many large mesh objects
3. Solids with self-intersecting geometry
4. Very small segments on sweep objects
5. In some circumstances too many light objects can cause problems
6. Sometimes you can have an issue with a DTM
7. Objects that are very far (many miles or kilometers) away from the drawing origin
8. Textures made from images with very high resolution.
9. Sheet resolution above 300 dpi.