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An architect's Mac fills with models, backups, textures and renders

BIM and CAD projects keep automatic backups, texture libraries and render output that grow fast. Where the space goes and how to set up storage that lasts.

6 min read

Architecture software is heavy on disk in a few predictable ways: the models themselves, the automatic backups each app makes, texture and object libraries, and renders, which multiply with every iteration.

Where the space goes

SourceTypical pattern
Project filesHundreds of MB to several GB each
Automatic backupsA copy per save or per interval, beside the project or in a backup folder
Texture and object librariesSeveral GB, per app
Renders and animationsHundreds of images or video per iteration
Windows-only tools in a VMA virtual disk of 60 GB and up, see virtual machines

Find it

# Backup and autosave files by common extensions
find ~ -type f \( -iname '*.bak' -o -iname '*.bpn' -o -iname '*.skb' -o -iname '*.3dmbak' \) -exec du -ch {} + 2>/dev/null | tail -1

# Render folders full of images
find ~ -type d -iname '*render*' -exec du -sh {} + 2>/dev/null | sort -h | tail

Extensions differ by app. Check your app's settings for where backups and autosaves go, and how many it keeps.

A setup that lasts

  • Keep active projects on the Mac, completed ones on an external SSD or NAS. See NAS for Mac storage.
  • Limit how many automatic backups each app keeps.
  • Render to an external drive, and keep only final images after sign-off.
  • Share one texture library across apps where they allow it.

Related: Mac storage for designers and Blender projects.

Related: Fusion 360 taking up space on Mac.

Common questions

Why do architecture projects take so much space on a Mac?

Large models, automatic backups on every save, texture libraries and repeated renders all add up.

Can I delete CAD backup files?

Old backups of a project you have saved and backed up elsewhere, yes. Keep the most recent few for active projects.

Where should architects keep finished projects?

On an external SSD or a NAS, with a second backup. Only active work needs to be on the Mac.

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