Crash on PDF export

[pallen33]

Hi,

Illustrator crashes every time I either try to save as a PDF compatable Illustrator file, or try to export a PDF. It's incredibly frustrating as I need this feature active in order to import graphics into After Effects. I spent about 4 hours trying to solve this yesterday, so have tried:

- Uninstalling and re-installing Illustrator (including deleting all personal preferences)

- Deleting all personal preferences (i.e. going through c:users:app data:roaming:Adobe...)

- Uninstalling and re-installing Acrobat DC

I'm all out of options and patience, any help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Have you tried the alt-ctrl-shift method of resetting Preferences?

How to set preferences in Illustrator

Are there noteworthy specifics about the file?

How many artboards of which sizes does it contain?

Does it contain many images, linked or embedded, is there considerable use of Effects that might need to be rasterised in pdf, …?

[pallen33]

Have you tried the alt-ctrl-shift method of resetting Preferences?

How to set preferences in Illustrator

No, but will give that a go. Not feeling confident, but need to keep the faith.

Are there noteworthy specifics about the file?

It's a diagram of brain neurons - so 500+ individual sub layers. You're right, I should try saving with a more simple file and see if this works. I'll try and report back.

How many artboards of which sizes does it contain?

One. Started 4k, now 1080p size (1920 x 1080)

Does it contain many images, linked or embedded, is there considerable use of Effects that might need to be rasterised in pdf, …?

No, all vectors created in Illustrator - this is what is odd, feel it should cope with this.

Thanks for your help

[Monika Gause]

Are all fonts checked and OK?

Is a printer connected and turned on?

Exactly where are you trying to save? Which options?

[pallen33]

Thanks Monika. No fonts in file. No printer connected and just trying to save with Illustrator pdf defaults to hard drive, or as Illustrator file with defaults (i.e. with pdf compatability checked)

[Monika Gause]

Connect a printer. If you don't have any, install a PDF printer

[pallen33 · Accepted solution]

Ok, think I may just have had too many layers and it couldn't cope. I tried flattening the artwork and that seems to have sorted it. Thanks for all the help