Message: Not enough memory to complete operation


Reference Number: KB-01133
Last Modified: July 20, 2021

The information in this article applies to:

Chief Architect Premier or Chief Architect Interiors



QUESTION

When I try to import a 3D symbol into my plan, the following error message appears:

"Warning: Not enough memory to complete operation. Close all windows, save your work, and exit the application to recover memory."

What does it mean?


ANSWER

This warning message will display if you try to perform a task, like import a large 3D symbol, and your system does not have enough memory to complete the task. 

Examples of tasks where this could occur include:

  • Importing a third party 3D symbol with an extremely large number of surfaces.

  • Ray tracing a view with an extremely large number of surfaces.

  • Sending an extremely large, detailed view to layout.

  • Using the CAD Detail From View tool in an extremely large and detailed view.

  • Opening the specification dialog for a symbol with an extremely large number of surfaces.

When you encounter this message, the first thing that you need to do is follow its instructions: save your work and exit out of the program completely so your system can recover the memory.


There are a number of approaches that you can take to avoid this error after you encounter it.

  • Close all other applications that you have running on your computer. If you are running out memory because of other applications, you may find it helpful to reboot your computer.

  • If you encountered the error while ray tracing, try reducing the number of surfaces or light sources in the model you are ray tracing. To learn more, see the article on Speeding up a Ray Trace linked in the Related Articles section. .

  • If you encounter the error when sending a view to layout or creating a CAD Detail from View, consider turning off layers that aren't needed for the view.

  • If you encounter the error when sending a 3D Vector View to layout or creating a CAD Detail from View, try turning off Pattern Lines to see if it makes a difference.

    • Select 3D> Toggle Patterns  to turn pattern lines on and off.

  • If you encounter the error when sending a view to layout or creating a CAD Detail from View, replace highly detailed patterns with less detailed ones, or increase the scale of very small patterns.



MORE INFORMATION

Some out of memory errors can be avoided by using the 64-bit version of Chief Architect.