AI 2021 Saving is Super Slow with PDF Compatibility On

[dDembicki]

When I save with the PDF compatibility box checked, larger, more complex files take as long as 10 minutes to save. Uncheck the box, and it takes seconds. I need the compatibility turned on; otherwise, I can't place the file as an image in another file. 

Tech specs: 16" MBP 2019 with 2.6GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM and AMD Radeon Pro 5500m 4GB card, running Mac OS 11.5.2 and AI 25.4.1. 

So, I've been doing some digging... I've done the following. If anyone has any additional suggestions, please suggest!! 

• I've uninstalled (not saving prefs) and reinstalled it with the Cloud app.
• I've reset preferences. (After the reinstall.)
• I've turned off the usual things like auto-saving to the cloud, data recovery for complex docs, and extended autosave recovery data to 30 minutes.
• Files are saved on the same HD as the system.
• The Document Info box shows no objects at all in the file. (There are linked images in the file.)
• Illustrator is aware of the printer on the network. 
• Performance is the same whether wifi is turned on and connected, or off.
• Finally, it doesn't make a difference if I lower the resolution in Document Raster Effects Settings.

The file, when saved with PDF compatibility turned on, is 313Mb. It's less than 20 with it turned off. Regardless, it seems excessive that it takes 10 minutes to save a 300Mb file. 

There are two things I have not done:

1. disconnected one of my 27" monitors, and 

2. saved all the linked files smaller. There are a bunch of them, so I have been avoiding that... but now I'm off to do that after I post this. 

Thanks, folks. This has been slowing me down all week. It was slow last week too, but this week it's slower. 

[Mike_Gondek · Accepted solution]

Make a copy of the file adn remove suspect object plike placed images. Once the file saves fast you will know if it is an offending object. You may be using an old outdated unsupported format like .eps or a nested symbol. I you delete all but have a few vector points and is still slow then we know it is your system comfiguration.

Please post a screenshot of your art and we can help better, otherwise we are guessing with no information.

If the art you are nesting is simple vector, then make a symbol cloud library item.

[dDembicki]

Hi Mike. Thanks for the suggestion. FYI, I haven't had an opportunity to try your suggestion yet. I don't feel comfortable posting a screen shot as it may be proprietary info. BUT, I will tell you that most of the content is placed raster art, so there's not really an option to make a library or similar. The placed file is a .PSD image with editable spot color channels (long story), and there are different files for different colors. I made 72ppi versions of the files and saved also as .PSD, and I'm going to also take those smaller files and convert them all to .tif. I try to not work at a smaller resolution if I can help it, when using what will end up being final art. 

Also FYI, it seems to be just that file. Blank files save quickly. And the past couple days I've been working with 200mb-ish files and they seem a lot faster--and they don't use that PSD file mentioned above. 

Anyway... I will touch base after I do all of the above. Thanks!!

[dDembicki]

Update: 

First, my computer has been acting hinky the past few days, but Illustrator has not. Needed to do an SMC reset at restart this morning and it's behaving correctly now. 

Regarding the slow saving file in question:

• Relinking the bulk of the raster images to 72ppi PSD files sped up saving speed by 75%, and reduced file size from 299mb to 87mb (which was of course expected).
• Relinking the bulk of the raster images to 72ppi TIF files (saved with LZW compression) sped up saving a whole lot, it saved in less than a minute. And the file size, of course, is even smaller, from 299mb to 53mb. 

So the problem child is the full resolution PSD file that has the separate channels for spot colors.  May need to adapt the working methods when using it. 

Thanks for the suggestions. It's always a help!

[Petr Holusa]

I think all of those adobe apps are like frankenstein and just updated with new features. I can't image how the code of the app must look like. From the experinece it must be a total mess. Nothing personal to Indian people but as Adobe is owned by Indian folk so it's probably developed in India as well with cheap price. So it doesn't matter how your PC/mac is. Adobe apps are like having crap engine in Porsche. 

And in this crazy times everyting is upside down. Adobe app is not working for you. You work for Adobe. Most of operation what should be super simple it doesn't work. Meanwhile I should have simply done the work, I am spending with no pay, time here expalining the issue. No offense to community forum staff here but again with out of logic times feel like staff is defending the brokend Adobe apps. It's like fat is the new sexy. Same broken using slow adobe app is the new workflow.