Slow performance when switching between layouts in AutoCAD

Autodesk Support

Dec 10, 2024

Products and versions covered

Issue:

User reported that AutoCAD hangs or pauses when switching between layouts in a drawing. Once AutoCAD recovers, the layout finishes loading.

The hang may also occur when switching between different drawings.

Solution:

Troubleshooting Guide : Slow performance when switching between layouts in AutoCAD

Alternatively look for the solutions below:

System Requirements for AutoCAD and AutoCAD Updates

For AutoCAD to run efficiently the application the software should meet or exceed (recommended) the minimum System requirements for AutoCAD. It should also be noted that regardless of how much time has elapsed after the initial release of AutoCAD, updates to the software are not incorporated into the installation package.

Optimize the model layout

  • Avoid a high count of hatches. Reduce the count of hatches by removing unneeded
  • If hatch lines are too dense, replace the used hatch styles by solid hatches.
  • Avoid a high count of boundary clippings. Use command XCLIP, option Delete, to remove them.


Optimize the paper space layout

A delay when initially switching to a layout can be an expected behavior (see: Short delay when switching to a layout tab the first time in a drawing session in AutoCAD). When subsequent switches to the same layout are slow as well, then it may be necessary to review the contents of the layout.

Layouts in AutoCAD are optimized for a single page/sheet (see Organize Drawings). If multiple sheets have been created in the same layout or extra geometry exists outside the page area (in paper space), then performance may degrade. To improve performance review the following and make changes as necessary:

  • Move multiple sheets to new individual paper space layouts.
  • Erase extra geometry which may have been placed outside the page area.
  • Avoid using Windows copy and paste functionality to add viewports to the paper space layout. Instead, create new viewports (see To Create a New Layout Viewport).
  • Avoid placing annotative geometry (text, dimensions, blocks, etc. in the layout tab which is typically plotted at a scale of 1:1. Instead place annotative objects in the model layout tab where they will be scaled in a paper space layout viewport. 
  • Change the polylines to one linetype.
  • Reduce the count of views in each layout.
  • Do a ZOOM All once for each layut separately and save the file. Next time, when switching to this layout, it will be faster as no additional regeneration is needed.

Modify settings for performance improvements

  • Change the Layout Regen Options in AutoCAD. Go to Options > System tab > Layout Regen Options and select Cache model tab and all layouts. Alternatively, you can set the LAYOUTREGENCTL (System Variable) to 2.
  • Check the number of viewports in the layout. The more viewports included in a layout, the more time is needed to regenerate the objects when the data is not cached. To minimize regen time try one of the following:
    • Lower the maximum number of viewports that can be active at one time in a layout by changing the value of the MAXACTVP (System Variable) from the default 64 to a lower value such as 16.
    • Delete excess viewports if possible.
  • Set the UPDATETHUMBNAIL (System Variable) to 0 (default is 15) to avoid capturing layout thumbnails when switching between layouts.
  • Check the scale in the plot dialog box or page setup and avoid excessive scaling, for example 1:0.001, as this would make the paper size extremely small and view ports created for such a page size even smaller.
  • Set system variable TREEDEPTH to 3020. 
  • Set system variable HPMAXAREAS to 0. 
    • After changing the sysvar, you need to close and re-open the current drawing for it to have an effect.
    • This can speed up layout switches. However, it can have a negative performance impact for drawing open.

Performance issues related to drawing corruption or file bloat

A lag when switching layout tabs may be related to file corruption, or file bloat due to excessive unused entries in the drawing database.

  • Before importing content such as blocks or from existing drawing files, check the drawing for database errors using the AUDIT (Command) and remove unnecessary (unreferenced) objects using the PURGE (Command) .

For more information:

To repair a drawing file and remove unreferenced objects

  1. Open the drawing file.
  2. Audit and fix any errors:
    1. Type AUDIT at the command line.
    2. "Y" for Yes to fix any errors, then Enter.
  3. Remove unused named objects from the drawing:
    1. Type -PURGE at the command line.
    2. Type "A", press ENTER
    3. Type "*" (asterisk), press ENTER (the asterisk equates to All).
    4. Type "N" for No, press ENTER
  4. Purge Registered Applications (from the command line):
    1. Type -PURGE.
    2. "R" for Regapps (registered applications), press ENTER.
    3. Type "*", press ENTER (the asterisk equates to All).
    4. "N" when asked to verify each name to be purged, then Enter.
  5. Save the drawing.

Products:

AutoCAD for Mac; AutoCAD LT for Mac; AutoCAD Products;

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