Export for screen PDF default settings size is bigger then if manually and take a very long time

[valeriu2809]

Hey, so I've got a few pdfs with no bitmaps at all, just vectors, 12 in number. I need to apply a series of changes to them and then save them back in a Illustrator Default pdf format. I started doing them 1 by 1 in and saving them back, all ok no problem saving was almost instantly. Then I thought I should make an .ai with all of them on each artboard, do the changes 1 time and will affect all, then use the Export for Screen/PDF (set to Illustrator Default) feature and export them. 

The problem is Illustrator then freezes and the export take a long long time, talking about 1 appearing in the folder after around 3-5 minutes, while if I were to export them manualy this would been almost instant. 

I also noticed the size is different (from 2.5mb to 13mb) even tho I used the same pdf presset (Illustrator Default). Can anyone explain to me why is this happening ? Thanks !

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Why are you exporting instead of Save or Save As?

[valeriu2809]

Well because I need to have each label on an individual pdf, which contains a different artwork. I found the easier way is to just Save as, 1 pdf with multiple pages and then split in Acrobat. But I was just wondering why the Export for Screen/Pdf thing is so slow 🙂

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @valeriu2809,

Thanks for reaching out. In addition to Kevin's suggestion, would you mind selecting the "Illustrator default" preset in the export settings of PDF in export for screens and confirm if that helps or not?

I'll be looking forward to your response.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[valeriu2809]

Hello, 

That is the exact setting we're exporting them with, since we need all pdfs to be editable (keep layers etc), so unfortunately it doesn't do anything, but thanks for the reply :)!

[Anshul_Saini]

Thanks for confirming that, @valeriu2809. Would you mind sharing the download link to the Illustrator file in which you face this issue? I will forward it to the product team for review. Also, please confirm your system specs like SSD/ HDD, Processor, GPU, and RAM.

I'll try replicating the issue at my end as well with your file and share my observations.

Looking forward to the file.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[Eyetooth.Design]

Whay has Adobe still not fixed this issue many many years later or created a better way to export individual artboards as pdfs?

This happens with pretty much all files that are being exported.

Adobe really sucks at keeping their apps running smoothly, they are just adding AI gimmickry to their apps and not fixing long standing issues that affect the basic use of their apps.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Eyetooth.Design,

I understand how frustrating it can be to encounter technical issues in the middle of work. Could you share more details, like the version of the OS/Illustrator installed, your system report (Windows / macOS), a sample file, and a small screen recording of the problem, so I can try and replicate this on my end?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

[Ton Frederiks]

Maybe because every PDF contains all your artboards because the Illustrator Editing Capabilities is turned on in the default preset?