🧹 Tips for cleaning CAD files: PURGE and OVERKILL
These two commands are "junk cleaners" that will help you make your DWG files much cleaner and lighter.
1. PURGE (PU) command
PURGE is a file cleaning process that removes unused named objects (Unused Named Objects) from the file's database, which is often the main cause of large CAD files.
| Information that PURGE eliminates | example | Impact on files |
| Unused Blocks | Blocks that were created but not placed in the Drawing | Reduce file size |
| Empty Layers | Layers with no objects placed on them | Reduce clutter in Layer List |
| Line Types, Text Styles | Imported but unused line styles and fonts | Reduce redundancy |
| Regapps (Registered Applications) | Residual data from add-ons or Xrefs | Reduce file corruption issues |
How to use:
Type the command
PURGEand press Enter.The Purge window displays a list of objects that can be deleted.
It is recommended to select Purge All or select all items and click Purge Checked Items to clear all unnecessary data.
If there are nested blocks, repeat the command
PURGEuntil you see the message "There are no names to Purge."
2. OVERKILL command (OVERKILL)
OVERKILL is a file cleaning process that contains overlapping or duplicate geometric shapes (shapes and lines) that may cause printing or operation problems.
| What OVERKILL eliminates | Examples of problems solved |
| Overlapping lines | Lines drawn two or three times overlapping in the same position |
| Division line | A straight line that should be a single line is drawn as a series of small lines. |
| Common straight line | Stackable objects that are linear (Line), circular (Arc), or polyline (Polyline) but have the same properties. |
How to use:
Type the command
OVERKILLand press Enter.Select all objects in the drawing (use
Allor drag to select all).Set the values in the Delete Duplicate Objects window (usually you can use the default values).
Click OK
The program will report how many duplicate lines have been deleted or merged.
| Key Focus | PURGE AutoCAD , OVERKILL AutoCAD , reduce CAD file size, heavy CAD file, clean CAD file | AutoCAD Purge, AutoCAD Overkill, CAD File Size Reduction, Clean CAD Drawing, File Maintenance |
| Special techniques | Remove redundant lines, remove unused blocks, solve slow file problems, CAD File Cleaning, remove junk in CAD. | Remove Duplicates, Delete Unused Blocks, Fix Slow CAD, CAD Troubleshooting, Optimize Drawing |
| Objective/Level | File maintenance, AutoCAD tips, drafting techniques, professional work, file management | File Maintenance Tips, AutoCAD Tips and Tricks, Drafting Techniques, Professional CAD, File Management |
Overview of CAD file cleaning
This figure illustrates the main idea of using PURGE and OVERKILL to reduce file size and manage data.
