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jenryp
Participating Frequently
December 11, 2009
Question

How to reduce file size in Illustrator CS4?

  • December 11, 2009
  • 3 replies
  • 65321 views

Hi!
I'm having troubles with the size of my files in Illustrator CS4, My files always ends with sizes near 100mb!
I made some tests:
Create a new doc (7x5 cm), type some text, save: 1mb
Place an image (PSD file: 12mb), save without embedding: 8mb
Embedd the psd file, save: 16mb
Delete psd image, and place JPG (2,5mb), save without embedding: 8mb
Embedd the JPG, save: 15mb
I0m using the save with compression option.
If I uncheck the compatibility with PDF, then my file goes from 15mb to 8mb, but it's too big anyway, my image is only 2,5mb!

I don't know, I think I'm doing something wrong or illustrator is the most inefficient program that I ever use.
Why if my file without the image is only 1mb, and my JPG only 2,5mb, when I put them together the .AI goes to 15mb???? that's 500% the real size of my files!

Please I need help with this.
THANKS !
enrique.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    W
    Wade_Zimmerman1
    Inspiring
    December 11, 2009

    jenryp wrote:

    Hi!
    I'm having troubles with the size of my files in Illustrator CS4, My files always ends with sizes near 100mb!
    I made some tests:
    Create a new doc (7x5 cm), type some text, save: 1mb
    Place an image (PSD file: 12mb), save without embedding: 8mb
    Embedd the psd file, save: 16mb
    Delete psd image, and place JPG (2,5mb), save without embedding: 8mb
    Embedd the JPG, save: 15mb
    I0m using the save with compression option.
    If I uncheck the compatibility with PDF, then my file goes from 15mb to 8mb, but it's too big anyway, my image is only 2,5mb!

    I don't know, I think I'm doing something wrong or illustrator is the most inefficient program that I ever use.
    Why if my file without the image is only 1mb, and my JPG only 2,5mb, when I put them together the .AI goes to 15mb???? that's 500% the real size of my files!

    Please I need help with this.
    THANKS !
    enrique.

    Think about it for a minute and you might find the answer yourself?  Ok perhaps it has something to do with the fact that a 2.5 mb jpeg, which is a compressed file size, is something like a 15 MB uncompressed file. I know but it is a compressed file but Illustrator has to uncompress it and make it pdf compatible turn off the pdf compatible option and see what happens.

    I just tried it myself and sure enough a 4.1 jpeg place in AI makes the file 13.1 MB the uncompressed image is 15.8 MB

    without pdf compatible the 4.1 mb file in AI is now a 1.1 MB file.

    It makes sense to me perhaps if you think about it it might make sense to you as well.

    Skullmaker
    Skullmaker
    Inspiring
    December 11, 2009

    Let me see, I have a CS3 file with a linked photoshop file in layers:

    Illustrator CS3 (7.3 MB)

    Photoshop file in layers (106.2MB)

    I saved the file with embedded photoshop (flatten) and I even convert all the fonts to outline and I got a file of 13.5MB. (Using CS3 with no special plug-ins, actions, different settings, etc.)

    Is my computer using magic? or perhaps is a CS4 BUG!

    Adobe is going from bad to worse. Where is the CS4 update?

    W
    Wade_Zimmerman1
    Inspiring
    December 11, 2009

    If you look at what you wrote and described that would be about the same thing you would get in CS4 except you are comparing apples with

    steel beams.

    Now you and I know that a photoshop file with layers can easily be 103 MB and flatten be 13.5 MB so if you place the flatten version this is expected in both versions however a

    compressed jpeg place in Illustrator has to uncompressed in order to work with pdf compatibility.

    It was a good try but I don't really think anyone is buying this Hans.

    However on a brighter side of the German landscape I will be having my first image reproduced in one of your really fine architecture publications called Architektur and Wohnen.

    Skullmaker
    Skullmaker
    Inspiring
    December 11, 2009

    What you have is a nasty bug that Adobe refuses to fix. Your computer is fine, your files are too. Just a nasty bug.

    If you open and save the files in CS2, CS3 or any older version you will see that your files are Ok.

    Adobe does not provide updates, just sells you the new version with new bugs.

    Larry G. Schneider
    Community Expert
    Larry G. SchneiderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 11, 2009

    Try doing a Save As and overwrite the file. There is a history component in the PDF portion of the file that is only cleared with a Save As.

    Scott Falkner
    Community Expert
    Scott FalknerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 11, 2009

    Normally when you save an Illustrator file as an AI file you save two copies of the file. One is the fully editable Illustrator file, one is a PDF version of the file for compatibility with your OS’s previewing abilities, Photoshop, and InDesign. If you don’t need that functionality you can turn off Create PDF Compatible File. If there are many linked raster files, that can make a huge difference, because the data that’s linked in the AI portion of the file must be embedded to work in the PDF part. Definitely link raster elements when using Illustrator.


    There’s a canned action called "Delete Unused Panel Items”. Run that action and unused symbols, brushes, graphic styles, and swatches will be stripped from the file, which can cull about 1 MB from a file.

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