Had issues with Illustrator 29.3.1. Rolled back to 29.3 and still having issues

[B_C_E_75]

I had a fresh install of Illustrator 29.3.1 on a fresh install of Windows 11 on a new PC. Almost immediately I began having issues when opening files. It doesn't matter where the files are saved- I have issues opening files form a network drive, issues opening local files, and issues when opening an Illustrator Template file. 

When this happens, Illustrator will freeze, I will get a spinning cursor, and only task manager will kill it. So, I rolled back to the previous version 29.3. I'm still having the same issues. When I reopen Illustrator from the crash, I find that it will not open to my saved workspace and my custom Actions are deleted. 

I can save files just fine, and once things are open, Illustrator works normally. 

My PC specs are-

HP Z4 Workstation with a Xeon 3.6GHz processor

Windows 11 Pro for Workstations

128GB RAM

1TB SSD and a 3TB SSD

Nvidia Quadro P2000

[Anubhav M]

Hello @B_C_E_75,

Would you mind confirming if you're having this problem as soon as the file is opened and if Illustrator behaves this way with new files as well? Also, try running Illustrator under Safe Mode (https://adobe.ly/3QMS05s) and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[B_C_E_75]

I've been messing with this for the last hour and here is what I've done-

I'll start off by telling you that I am a technical illustrator. I build parts books for heavy industrial machines. I've been doing this same job for 13 years. We have always used Illustrator to create our parts pages. We have gone from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and now Windows 11. We have been using the same programs this entire time. Yes, programs have updated over the years, but we have never had issues like this. 

Our process is we export cad drawing views as line art from Seimens NX cad software. We export it as an .emf file. We open the emf in illustrator, ungroup and release the clipping mask and copy the drawing view to an illustrator template. 

Here is what I have noticed- When I first open Illustrator, I open my emf file, then I open my custom template file, copy my view from the emf file and paste it to the illustrator template. I resize the view then save the illustrator file. When I go to open the template file again to make a new parts page, Illustrator then locks up. The template file opens as a tab in Illustrator, but the screen remains blank (it should normally load with my grid and art board). I get the spinning cursor, and if I click on the "X" in the upper right corner to close Illustrator, I will get the message that Illustrator is not responding. 

If I choose to close the program through the windows error window, I find that I don't lose my loaded custom actions, and that my other preferences don't seem to rest. I only have to reselect my custom workspace. If i force close Illustrator with Task Manager, it seems like I lose all my saved preferences and I have to reload my custom actions. 

I opened Illustrator in safe mode as you requested, and it worked normally. I was able to make 7 parts pages without issue. 

I then tried the same thing after restarting from safe mode, and the problems returned. 

It seems to be an issue with .emf files. I copied a graphic from another parts page I created and Illustrator had no problems copying and pasting and then opening a new template. This drawing page I copied from was saved as an .ai file.

I can also open as many emf files,  templates files or regular new files as I want and they will all open fine. It's only after I copy and paste a view from the emf file, then try to open a new template that the issues arises. 

I did roll back to Illustrator 29.3 and I experienced the same issues. I was previously using 29.3 on my old computer running Windows 10 and it was fine. I just upgraded computers and operating systems a few days ago. So far, Illustrator has been the only program to cause me issues. 

I hope this helps and if you need any more information, hopefully I can provide it.

[B_C_E_75]

Since I posted, I have been working on a parts page that I already created. I did my edits that I normally would (change line weights and colors, added callouts, etc) and saved the file. I then went to open the next page and Illustrator locked up again. Apparently it isn't just .emf files as I was working on an .ai file. 

[B_C_E_75]

I've been working with Illustrator all day, and I've found that I have more issues when working with emf files than anything. I've been able to work on a few .ai files that I had previously made, save them, and open another file without Illustrator locking up, but when I tried to copy from an emf and paste into a new template, Illustrator froze. 

I have been able to copy from an emf and place into a template, save the file then create another file without locking up, but more often than not Illustrator is going to lock up. My current work around has been to work on one file, save, close out illustrator, then re launch illustrator and work on the next file, and so on. This has definitely slowed down my productivity. 

[B_C_E_75]

Doing more work this morning. I finished the parts pages I was working on. I was able to work on one page at a time without having to close Illustrator. I then tried opening a new file (not a template) using File>New and tried opening a basic 8.5 x 11 new document. It opened enough to show the artboard then Illustrator froze. It has done it three times in a row. Illustrator is basically unusable at this point and my work is taking a huge hit in productivity. Photoshop, Framemaker, Acrobat, Bridge... all these programs work perfectly as does all the other non Adobe programs on my computer. Of course, most of my work is done in Illustrator and it's the one causing huge issues. 

[Srishti Bali]

Hi @B_C_E_75

Thank you for sharing all the details, and I apologize for the delayed response. I hope the issue has been resolved by now. If not, would you be able to share a sample EMF file with us? This would help us better understand the issue and find an effective solution for you.

Regards,

Srishti

[B_C_E_75]

Issue has not been resolved. I am back on my old pc and things are fine. My company has purchased another new pc for me. In a few days I should have it and will give Illustrator another attempt. 

[Srishti Bali]

Glad to hear that you were able to get back to work on your older PC! Feel free to reach out if you need any further assistance.