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why can i not save large illustrator files please?

Posted by Paul Meadows meadows on 3 October 2005 at 15:13

I know, I know, read the book!! but before i do it may be quicker to ask somebody here…so can anybody help please, I can’t seem to save an .ai or .pdf file any smaller than 405 k…doesn’t matter if its one line or a complicated vector. I’m using CS…is it me!!!

Paul

Paul Meadows meadows replied 20 years, 2 months ago 7 Members · 10 Replies
10 Replies

g5graphics

Member
3 October 2005 at 15:19

Hi Paul,
I’ve checked through files I have here and I’ve got files at 220kb. Most of them are bigger than this and not that complicated so maybe its the way that CS uses the workspace.
Why do you need them smaller than 405k anyway?
Regards,
John
Paul Meadows meadows

Member
3 October 2005 at 15:28

John, that was quick!
I’ve tried posting a few vector graphics for people on the boards but the files are restricted to 400 k I believe.
paul
Bryan Cabrera

Member
3 October 2005 at 15:32

What version are you saving them in? I know CS has a use compression option when you save.

If you still have a problem you could always Zip the files.

Also make sure you don’t have any embedded graphics.

Bryan
Paul Meadows meadows

Member
3 October 2005 at 15:54

Hi Bryan,

No embedded graphics,

It’s version 1,

never had the problem with illustrator 9

I’ll get the book out!

Paul
Bart Van Wassenhove

Member
3 October 2005 at 17:58

hi paul,

i’m having the same problem! Not that it’s real problem but i just can’t understand why a few lines give a file the size of 500kb 😕
Phil Kneale – Graphtec

Member
3 October 2005 at 18:00

Try saving as Illustrator 3 files, this will save only the vector data and not bother with any of the newer memory greedy functions
Paul Meadows meadows

Member
3 October 2005 at 20:08

Hi Bart,

Thought it was just me…nice to know I’m not alone!

Thanks Phil…I’ll give that a go.

Paul
tekstlogo

Member
10 October 2005 at 20:18

If you have InDesign.. Run it through and it will be much smaller.
David Rowland

Member
10 October 2005 at 21:09

900Kb in Illustrator CS, and one line.

In These later versions they used PDF as the storage format.

Just removed the ICC profiles, now 400Kb

Just turned off compression and had a look, sure enough, it is saving all the program settings within the illustrator file, these include gradients, plugins, colours etc.. Looks like Illustrator is trying to be more cross-platform compatible, which is a good thing.

However save as an older version for the boards, a lot of the sign maker programs will not be able to handle modern illustrator formats.
Paul Meadows meadows

Member
11 October 2005 at 08:20

Thanks Dave,
It must be nice to have a brain the size of a planet!
Paul 😀