Can't import large format images within latest Illustrator versions

[defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7]

Hi all. I'm hoping someone here can solve an issue I've been having for the last year or so.

I'm building final hi-res production files for a large food truck currently, but this same issue has been bothering me for many other jobs lately. Let's just say it's a 20ft x 10ft wall and the final print res will be 150dpi. I can create my images in PS no problem and I can save them as either TIF or PSB or even JPEG (file size is not a problem) but when I try to place them into the Illustrator template/dieline all I see is what looks like an empty container. There's a bounding box and I can click and drag it around, but there's no image, not even in the links panel. I read in another forum somewhere from over a year ago that this was a known issue and they suggested embedding the image. That does indeed make it show up properly, but not an ideal solution.

I've attached a few screenshots to show the problem. The first is what I'm seeing after placing the image. The second is just some of the link info. You'll see it's only about 150mb, so file size is not an issue. It does however say it's placed at 12%, which is also incorrect. It should be 100%. That's another issue.

I'm currently working in Illustrator 29.1 (2025) on an M3 Macbook Pro. I do not have this issue with Illustrator 27.9.1 (2023). Any thoughts?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7,

Thanks for sharing the details. I tried replicating this behavior on my end but could not. Would you mind sharing a sample PSD/AI file along with a screen recording of your entire workflow and the problem, so I can check it with the team?

Also, try running Illustrator under a different administrator account (macOS) and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7]

Thanks for the quick response. I can't share files right now but I can tell you I spent some more time testing the size limits to find where it breaks. You can easily try this on your end:

• Open a new AI file with artboard about 240" x 240" (size isn't that important really)

• Create 2 PSD files - one at 23000px x 23000px and another at 24000px x 24000px

• Place each one separately into that AI file and see what happens

You'll probably find that the 23000 works and the 24000 does not, and give sthe empty frame look.

[defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7]

By the way, it seems like the limit is related to the max amount of overall pixels somehow. I initially tried using a rectangular shape, similar to my actual artwork, and noticed that I could go well beyond the 24000px as a width, but the height was much less, like 15000px. So I moved to a square to easily size upwards slowly until I hit the limit.

I hope this all makes sense.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7,

Thanks for sharing the details. I have tried replicating this on my end but could not. Would it be possible for you to share a screen recording of your workflow and the problem so I can check it with the team?

Anubhav

[defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7]

Sure. I was having problems with my audio, so I tried to highlight things with the mouse for you. Basically, I have 2 images at 23000x23000 pixels and 24000x24000. This seems to be the limit for me. In Illustrator 2025 I can place the 23000 but not 24000. Also you'll see the 24000 can only be dropped in as opposed to placed. The same test works correctly in second video for Illustrator 2023.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7,

Thanks for sharing the details and the screen recording. Kindly allow me some time to check this with the team.
Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Anubhav

[defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7]

Good morning. I'm wondering if you've made any progress with a solution here?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7,

I'm sorry for the delayed response. Our product team tried replicating this on their end but were unable to do so. It would really help if you could provide some sample AI and linked files to try and replicate this on our end.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Fred22303213nn1e]

Hi Anubhav, I too am having the same issue. It may help to create 2 or 3 high resolution PSD files, place them in an illustrator file with a large artboard (80" x 60"?), save the illustrator file and include "create pdf compatable file" selection when saving. Place that file into another illustrator file, this is when the alert "An unknown error is detected..." is produced. If you are not able to replicate the issue, duplicate the placed files in the original illustrator file which may max out the pixels, as defaultwrhcfdlwt1y7  mentioned.

I am able to open a problem file in Big Sur / Illustrator 2023 (27.3.1) but not in Sequoia or Sonoma / Illustrator 2023 (27.3.1). The issue may be how illustrator is saving the imbeded PDF in the new OS(?), hope this helps.

-Fred

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Fred22303213nn1e,

Thanks for sharing the details. I will forward this info to the product team and update this thread as I have more info. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Anubhav