Slow performance with complex library items and a bizarre workaround

Hi All,

I'm working up a suit of designs on several page size variations in one Illustrator file. e.g. several "A" sizes.

Each page will share many of the same elements so off I go and use Library Items. Some of these elements are quite complex, backgrounds with blends and a lot of paths. A logo that's made up of many layers of strokes and fills in the appearance palette and quite a few paths also.

All in, about 3 relatively complex library items. The rest of the library items are not that complex, simple logos etc.

Each page has about 11 library items placed on a total of 12 pages.

When in preview mode it's incredibly slow to the point of not being usable. Once the page redraws I can move around a bit but a zoom in/out forces a complete redraw and takes ages.

I just don't get why this is. The library items are placed linked files not the full complex original. SO why the sluggishness?

The bizarre workaround...

I decided to try something out of curiosity. I went off and converted each of the complex library items to PSD files. The PSD files were just "place linked" versions of the complex illustrator files. e.g you can click on them in Photoshop and they will edit in AI.

I then replaced the library items in my main AI file with the PSD versions. Now everything flies along.

So for some bizarre reason, AI is reading a placed AI library item as it's original complex self and not a 'preview'.

Some of you may ask why I didn't use Indesign for the final layouts? Primarily because I have heavily styled (multiple appearance layers) text that needs editing for each size page. This won't be possible with InDesign.

That said. I did try it. Placing the various complex AI files into Indesign and guess what. It ground to a halt too.....

Makes me think of going back to using QuarkXpress which I haven't used in about 10 years!!! But I bet it will be damn sight far quicker.

I'm working on a 2016 MacBook Pro 2.9GHz 16GB ram with Radeon Pro 460 4096 MB.

Same thing happens on my old Maxed out MacPro FYI...

If anyone knows a way to speed this up I'm all ears! (or eyes)

Cheers

Grif