Updated version of the Scale List Cleanup Utility April 26th 2008
This Scale List Cleanup Utility repairs a problem with files that contain excess scales. 
This utility will soon be posted live to the Autodesk support site http://support.autodesk.com as it has completed beta testing with customers on http://myfeedback.autodesk.com
This tool was developed in response to your customer feedback.
Thank you.
- Download CleanupScales.html
- Download Scale_List_Cleanup_Utility_32bit.exe
- Download Scale_List_Cleanup_Utility_64bit.exe
Description of Problem
When a file contains excess scales, performance may be negatively affected. Eventually, the file may become unusable. To use the file, some scales must be removed. This utility repairs affected files by removing excess scales.
NOTE: Nested external references (xrefs) may produce excess scales. To correct this problem, install AutoCAD 2008 Service Pack 1 or corresponding service packs for AutoCAD-based products. The Scale List Cleanup Utility repairs files affected before the necessary service pack was installed.
Affected Products
- AutoCAD® 2008-based products, including DWG TrueView™ 2008
- AutoCAD® 2009-based products, including DWG TrueView 2009
Installation Instructions
To install the Scale List Cleanup Utility
This utility has to be installed in the AutoCAD 2008 or AutoCAD 2009 installation folders.
You must have administrative privileges on your Microsoft® Windows® operating system to complete installation.
- Based on your operating system (32-bit or 64-bit), download the appropriate self-extracting executable file.
- Select a folder.
- Extract files to the selected folder.
- Navigate to the folder and copy CleanupScales.exe, CleanupScalesRes.dll, and CleanupScales.html to the installation directory of your AutoCAD-based product.
NOTE: To run this utility you must launch CleanupScales.exe from the installation directory of your AutoCAD-based product.
Repair Affected Files
To repair affected files
- Close all affected files. Open affected files will not be repaired.
- Launch the Scale List Cleanup Utility from the installation folder of your AutoCAD-based product.
- Under Files to Clean, select affected files.
- If desired, select Maintain Visual Fidelity for Annotative Objects.
NOTE: This option allows you to maintain visual fidelity for annotative objects when they are viewed in AutoCAD 2007 or earlier releases and corresponds to the SAVEFIDELITY system variable. Annotative objects may have multiple scale representations. When you select this option, annotative objects are decomposed and scale representations are saved (in an anonymous block) to separate layers, which are named based on their original layer and appended with a number. - Under New Scale List, in the drop-down list, select a scale list template.
NOTE: Each scale list template contains a different scale list. When you run this utility, unused scales are deleted from files and the scale list from the selected template is applied. - If desired, change the scale list threshold.
NOTE: The scale list threshold determines the minimum number of scales a file must contain in order to be repaired. The default scale list threshold is 50. Files that contain fewer scales than the scale list threshold will not be repaired. To change the scale list threshold, on the New scale list panel, enter a number in the Scale List Threshold field. - Click OK. Repaired files are saved in the same format last saved in.
Cheers,
Shaan
sancs
After installing SP1 for 2008 how would I go about cleaning up scale issues in my existing files?
PING:
TITLE: Scale List Cleanup – A free utility for AutoCAD 2008 and 2009
BLOG NAME: BLAUGI Blog of Autodesk User Group International
A few days ago (2008-04-24), Shaan Hurley announced the availability of a free! utility for AutoCAD 2008 2009 (including DWG TrueView 2008 2009) – Scale List Cleanup: Scale List Cleanup Utility for AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD 2009 The below comes
This utility works great but it changes the layer manager button into a “previous command” button. I am not sure why this is happening but I have confirmed it on several computers. Is there any way to remedy this?
Great! It realy works and stops the extremely slow opening of Cad files.
We’ve run this utility on a project numerous times, but the scale list problem keeps recurring. Any suggestions?
Wow! I love this application.
I really had hard time opening some files with excess scale, it was too slow.
Running this one solved the problem.
Cheers,
Jose
I came across this page when I was having trouble with excess scales on a drawing. I tried the cleanup utility but it didn’t work for me. It didn’t install correctly or something.
Anyway I came up with another solution.
In the drawing you’re having trouble with excess scales, type the following:-
“-scalelistedit” (it’s important to type the minus in front of the command).
Then type r (for reset) & return.
This should remove all the scales ecept for all bare minimum ones.
The tool works great (I don’t have the issue with the layer manager button), but even after installing the SP1 on all our machines, and afterwards cleaning up all files (checking the log files afterwards as well) the scales keep messing up. We have to clean up our files almost on a daily basis. Shouldn’t the Service Pack fix this problem?
Any help appreciated,
Thx.
Also, using -scalelistedit can disable the Plot function, on a per drawing basis – works ok after reopening.
I cant get this Scale List Cleanup Utility to work. It is looking for a acdb17.dll file
Thanks
Stephen
This utility works great, as long as the list of drawings isn’t too long or complex. Otherwise, it just stops short of completion and does not produce a report. Any fixes?
Agnes,
Thank you for the feedback. I have not heard any reports or seen it not complete or hang in my usage. It could be the type of drawings you have, or system.
Do you have specifics so we can look into this?
Best Regards,
Shaan
Well it’s nice Autodesk release this as a “fix”. but why can’t they actually fix their product instead of just releasing this “3rd party product”?
we run autocad 2008 sp1 and we have this problem all the time, and it’s lagging us behind schedule. due to complex installation and usage of this program, this problem is not as easy fixed as one could think.
mrc,
The problem was resolved in AutoCAD 2008 SP1 and the fixed code is also in AutoCAD 2009. This utility was only released to clean files created prior to the Service Pack or fixes in the product.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=11062617&linkID=9240617
Best Regards,
Shaan
I have used the utility and fix the problem, but now the repaired files does not appear properly when linking into a 3DMax file, and I have no problem with other linked dwg files in wich i havent used the utility… any comments?
Is there a version for 2010?
that does work, but the problem comes in if people have multiple xrefs with thousands of scales you have to do that command in each xref. The above Utility will clean all files if selected with out having to open each xref individually.
my question is what sense makes the annotation scale. there should be an option to clean the scales while saving the file. we’re working with quite complex xref structure in our files and it’s really **ssing me off to clean up the files al the time. it doesn’t make sense. if you forget to do it for a while, you get millions of scales. WHY?
We, like GK, are still having this issue even with SP1 loaded. Ideas?
is there an option to find somewhere a script that automatically clean the scalelists when you save the file?
this offered tool is nice but in reallity if you jump between several files that are cross xrefed you get immeadetly millions of annotation scales. it would be very helpful either not to have any scales at all or an automated clean tool (also for purge). This is what you always forget…
cheers
This little program just saved a massive mental breakdown, and a severe case of throwing computers out of windows in my office. Fantastic Work 🙂
Thanks!!!
I tried your utility the dey before my issue!
It works!! Thanks!
hi could someone help me, I need to install ccleanerup scales for autocad 2008 and I can not say I did maso as the executable down there I decompressed it into a folder and copy the files and paste them into the folder that is autocad 2008 disk c : all programs.
I have windows 7 64 bits.gracias
Did you have AutoCAD 2008 SP1 installed first and follow the ReadMe instructions for use? Was there an error?
After AutoCAD 2008 SP1 and later releases thankfully the monster of a scalelist issue is resolved.
Regards,
Shaan