Skip to main content
Inspiring
July 16, 2018
Answered

Illustrator freezes when opening a PDF

  • July 16, 2018
  • 1 reply
  • 2233 views

Trying to open a PDF from USGS topo map. Latest CC2018 version of Illustrator. I get a black screen and "(not responding)" in the title bar when I right click to open or a Progress dialog box with a progress bar saying "Reading PDF file". The PDF opens fine in Acrobat DC but Acrobat DC crashes when entering "edit" mode.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Tom_Moulin

    I’m not sure what “edits” you wish to do. As I said, it is a complex file and is maxing out my CPU in Acrobat when manually editing. You could try to simplify it first if you wish to persist in opening it into Illustrator.

    Acrobat Pro has some manual editing features and Adobe license a subset of Callas software for their preflighting/fix-ups (although not manual edits).

    What I am suggesting is that there are industry standard PDF editing software that may be more robust on large/complex PDF files than what Acrobat Pro offers.


    Basically I'm pulling map elements out and changing their style. I was able to turn a bunch of layers off in Acrobat, go into the Edit mode, select all, and under "Objects">Edit Using...>Illustrator.

    1 reply

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 16, 2018

    Illustrator is not a general purpose PDF editor.

    Inspiring
    July 16, 2018

    OK, What product does Adobe provide for this?

    Larry G. Schneider
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 16, 2018

    Acrobat can be used for this purpose.