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Manual / DWG/DXF files

AUDIT, RECOVER and PURGE

Check for bad objects (AUDIT), open a damaged file (RECOVER) and remove unused layers and styles (PURGE).

What it does

Command Alias Syntax Meaning
AUDIT – AUDIT [FIX] Reports objects that cannot be drawn (for example a zero radius or missing points). AUDIT FIX deletes the unusable objects.
RECOVER – RECOVER [file] Opens a damaged DXF file with a repairing reader. It reports how many objects were repaired and how many could not be recovered.
PURGE PU – Removes layers that contain no objects and text styles that are not used.

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Manage › Drawing Cleanup › Audit / Purge / Delete Duplicates / Drawing Status

Results of OVERKILL, AUDIT and PURGE on the command line
Results of OVERKILL, AUDIT and PURGE on the command line

Steps to clean a drawing before you send it

  1. Run AUDIT. If it finds problems, run AUDIT FIX.
  2. Run OVERKILL to remove duplicate lines.
  3. Run PURGE to remove unused layers and styles. The Status bar shows PURGE: removed N unused layer(s), N unused text style(s).
  4. Run SAVE.

Steps for RECOVER

  1. Type RECOVER and press Enter, then select the DXF file.
  2. The result reads RECOVER: <file> - N object(s), N repair(s), N unrecoverable (run AUDIT next).
  3. Run AUDIT next, then save the drawing under a new name.

Note: The program keeps backup files. If the program closes unexpectedly, open Start Center › Drawing Recovery to open the backup file.

Try it: Clean a mall wayfinding sign drawing before it goes to the printer

Scenario: a mall wayfinding sign drawing has been revised many times. It has duplicate lines, empty layers and some odd objects. Clean it in this order before you send it to the sign maker.

  1. Type AUDIT and read how many objects cannot be drawn (for example a zero-radius circle from a bad copy).
  2. If there are any, type AUDIT FIX to delete the unusable objects.
  3. Type OVERKILL to remove duplicate lines, or the cutter will cut the same line twice.
  4. Type PURGE. The Status bar shows how many unused layers and text styles were removed.
  5. SAVEAS under a new name such as mall-signage-clean.dwg, and keep the original in case you need to go back.

See also