How to Purge Annotation Scales in AutoCAD?

Understanding Annotation Scales in AutoCAD

Annotation scales in AutoCAD allow for consistent sizing of text and symbols across different viewports, adjusting automatically to the scale of the viewport. However, over time, unnecessary scales may accumulate. Purging these can help maintain a streamlined and efficient working environment.

Step-by-Step Guide to Purge Annotation Scales

1. Access the Command Prompt

   • Open AutoCAD and start your project.
   • Press Ctrl + 9 to bring up the command line, or ensure it’s visible in your layout.

2. Initiate the Scale List Edit Command

   • Type -SCALELISTEDIT and press Enter. This command opens the Scale List Editor.

3. Select the Option to Reset Scales

   • After the command prompts appear, type Reset and hit Enter.
   • You will be asked to confirm the action. Type Yes and press Enter again. This action will remove all custom annotation scales and reset the list to the default scales that come with AutoCAD.

4. Cleanup Utility Installation

   • For extensive projects with multiple files, consider installing the Scale List Cleanup Utility tailored for AutoCAD 2025 from the Autodesk site. This utility allows for batch processing of scale lists across multiple drawings.
5. Saving Changes
   • After executing the reset, make sure to save your drawing to ensure that the changes made are applied.

Addressing External References (Xrefs) and Their Scales

If you want to remove xref scales from your project:

1. Command Prompt Access

   • Similar to the previous steps, ensure the command line is accessible.

2. Execute the -SCALELISTEDIT Command

   • Type -SCALELISTEDIT and press Enter to open the scaling options for xrefs.

3. Resetting the Scale List

   • Follow the prompts to reset the scales, which will clear any xref-specific scales from your current project.
4. Verifying the Changes
   • Review your xrefs to confirm that only standard scales remain.

Managing Annotative Blocks

To remove annotative properties from blocks:

1. Open Block Editor

   • Select the block you want to modify and enter the Block Editor by right-clicking the block and selecting Edit Block.

2. Adjust Properties

   • In the Block Editor, access the Properties palette. From there, locate the Annotative property under the Block section.

3. Change Selection

   • Change the Annotative option to No, which will make the block non-annotative.
4. Save Changes
   • Exit the Block Editor and save the changes when prompted.

Tips for Optimizing the Annotation Scale Workflow

• Regularly review and purge unnecessary annotation scales to enhance drawing performance.
• Leverage the AutoCAD options for managing multiple drawing files which can compound issues with annotation scales.
• Familiarize yourself with the different commands and their impacts to better control your workspace’s scale settings.

FAQs

What happens if I don’t purge unused annotation scales?
Unused scales can clutter your drawing, potentially leading to confusion and errors when annotating or scaling up objects.

Can I recover deleted annotation scales?
Once deleted using the reset option, custom annotation scales cannot be recovered. It is wise to back up your settings before executing a purge.

How can I check which annotation scales are currently in use?
You can view the current annotation scales by selecting an annotative object and checking its Annotative Scale property in the properties panel.