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JakobNystrom7
Participant
June 13, 2017
Question

Big file size (for no reason) in Illustrator CC 2017

  • June 13, 2017
  • 7 replies
  • 70744 views

Anyone had problems with big file sizes in Illustrator documents? Can get a 105 mb file down to 19 mb just by copying all the content and pasting into a new document. Deleted unused brushes, swatches and linked files in both files.

What else can take up all the space that gets lost in copying it into a new document?

The original big file comes from saving it out from a Illustrator file with a lot of artboards with the "Save artboards to separate files".

This topic has been closed for replies.

7 replies

R
rpaulseymour
Known Participant
February 7, 2020

Here it is with Illustrator 2020, and still this inexplicable stuff happens. I have one file with vectors and a pasted in 1.4MB jpeg. For some reason, when I save the file, it's 32 megabytes!!!!!! Take out the image, and it's 648kb. What is this madness?

 

If I export it as a PDF with "preserve editing" because some printers might need to open it up to check things, it's 19.3MB. Why o why would embedding a 1.4MB jpeg cause that much overhead? It makes absolutely ZERO sense. If I turn of preserve editing, it's 193KB file!

 

Seriously, what is going on? Tried most things in this thread. 

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 7, 2020

    "Why o why would embedding a 1.4MB jpeg cause that much overhead?"

    Because a jpeg file will be uncompresssed when embedded in an Illustrator file.

      lumaclar
      lumaclar
      Participant
      August 1, 2019

      Has anyone figured this out? I've tried deleting actions, tried to uncheck PDF compatible, tried to copy and paste into a new document and save again ... I have simple vector art file. no placed images ... It is saving anywhere from 34mb to 80mb. This has been an ongoing problem.

        EmileH
        EmileH
        Participant
        September 27, 2019
        I'd also like to know. I have a 300mb file, that is just of rough sketches (deleted any images). Usually all my Ai files are around 200kb -3mb. The only difference with this one is I am using charcoal brushes. Seems pretty ridiculous that a brushstroke makes a file 100x bigger. Then again, Illustrator has been getting worse and worse with bugs and what not these days.
        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 27, 2019
        Did you save with PDF compatibility turned off?
        markmandel233907840
        markmandel233907840
        Participant
        November 20, 2018

        I am using Illustrator CC 2018 with an Illustrator file that has one artboard, a couple text blocks, and nine linked images, eight of which are not even placed on the artboard. Only one of the images is on the artboard. The file size is approximately 7MB.

        If I just move one of the other images on the artboard and save the file, it grows to 146MB.

        None of the linked images are much over 1MB in size.

        This seems insane.

        I just figured out how to reduce the size: Save As a newly named AI file and uncheck the Option: Create PDF Compatible file.

        Mike_Gondek10189183
        Community Expert
        Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
        Community Expert
        November 21, 2018

        Yes that was  mentioned in the initial reply. Adobe decided to make PDF compatible ON by default. Turning that OFF will make yoiur files small and fast. You only need that on if you are placing in InDesign or After Effects.

        M
        marcosv74587944
        Participant
        September 20, 2017

        I was having the same problem. Usually I create 2 files: The first with 3 layers:  image(s), crop marks and a vector cut path for printing. The second with just 2 layers: a vector cut path and crop marks for router cutting. The image layer is deleted, not hidden. This second file should be small, since it contains just a few vector elements, but it gets too big (20 - 40Mb). Here is what I found out till now:

        - saving with "PDF compatible file" option turned off does not decrease file size.

        - using the "Delete unused panel itens" action before saving does not decrease file size.

        - copying and pasting all vector elements into a new file decreases the file size from 20MB to 700kb.

        - saving as CS version does not decrease file size, but saving as Illustrator 10 version decreased from 20MB to 50kb.

        The last two options work just fine for me.

          Mike_Gondek10189183
          Community Expert
          Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
          Community Expert
          September 20, 2017

          Can we see screen shots of your large file, We need to see your art and the following palettes expanded

          • Links
          • Swatches
          • Symbols
          • Graphic Styles
          • Brushes
          • Artboards

          Feel free to start your own post, as you will get better responses this way.

          The file is large, but if you want to post via dropbox or similar please do so. Might take some time to upload, but would give us information needed to resolve this for you.

          J
          JakobNystrom7Author
          Participant
          June 14, 2017

          Here's a test I did now. The "-test.ai" is exactly the same content but copied into a new document. And by doing that the size goes down 8 times. I have removed unused Swatches, Brushes, Symbols and Graphic Styles in the original one and rasterized the background layer in 72 ppi.

          Everything is done in latest Illustrator 2017 by a colleague.

          Both have PDF-compatible checked since I need it when importing it to After Effects.

          Really strange..

            Monika Gause
            Community Expert
            Monika GauseCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            June 14, 2017

            What is the history of the file? Did you just create it? Is it an old file?

            Does the same happen when you "Save as" the original file under a new name?

            J
            JakobNystrom7Author
            Participant
            June 14, 2017

            The original big file comes from saving it out from a Illustrator file with a lot of artboards with the "Save artboards to separate files" yesterday. Originally created with latest Illustrator 2017 this month.

            I made a test with saving under new name but not much difference and not near copy-paste into a new document.

            It feels like it's something with the unused Swatches, Brushes, Symbols and Graphic Styles. Because sometimes it works with just deleting them and the filesize goes them but sometimes it doesnt. A mystery.

            JonathanArias
            JonathanArias
            Legend
            June 13, 2017

            If you are using illustrator to layout materials and placing high res images on it you will have a huge file. Effects also add to file size.  Can you share a screenshot of the layout and a screenshot of the links panel?

              Mike_Gondek10189183
              Community Expert
              Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
              Community Expert
              June 13, 2017

              Do a save as and turn OFF pdf compatible. Are you linking to images rather than embedding?

              Have you been getting "deleted Global Colors" in your watches, or have tons of duplicate items in you symbols, graphic Styles or brushes palette.. Did you start with a file that came form someone else such s a die line from a printer which might have been created in a much older version of Illustrator.

              Deleted Global Colors/[HUH?] error/Unused Brushes Keep Returning

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