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Old Charles
Old Charles
Known Participant
September 30, 2019
Question

Illustrator takes forever to save files

  • September 30, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 16992 views

I've noticed in the last updates, especially the very last one, that Illustrator is getting slower and slower to save files.

For example right now I am working on a 29Mb file containing mostly vectors and it takes 2-3 minutes every time I hit CTRL+S.

My setup is widely overpowered for 2D applications so I believe that's not the issue.

 

Anyone else experiencing this? Suggestions?

 

Thanks! 🙂

      This topic has been closed for replies.

      3 replies

      D
      dan0
      Participant
      July 24, 2020

      did you find a solution? im having the same issue with a new build pc. its a 3950x 16core 3.5ghz, with 64gb ram, 8gb 2080 super GPU and gen4 2tb M.2.... its slower at making pdfs than a 2017 macbook pro (4 core 2.9ghz, 16gb ram, 4gb radeon 560 gpu), which is one of the reasons i built the new computer in the first place as the mac was taking too long.

       

      ive had adobe helpdesk people remote into the machine on 3 occasions with no sucess, all they could summarise is that its an efficiency issue as they tried all their usual fixes, so illustrator is basically only using 10% of the processing power of the new computer. but they had no solution.

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 24, 2020

        Is a printer connected, set up as the default printer and turned on? Printer driver up to date?

         

        Also: exactly where do you save files?

        Is background save turned on?

        D
        dan0
        Participant
        October 13, 2020

        Hi Monika, Sorry im only just seeing you replied. I gave up and left it for a while!

         

        it has a working printer attached, When adobe help people remote accessed onto the machine they tried everything. with and without the printer, saving is to the desktop.

         

        we've tried it will all combinations of background save on and off. gpu performance etc... after 3 sessions and countless hours they just shrugged and said they couldnt fix it.

         

        having looked further i do have a lot of 'Adobe CEP HTML Engine' processes running, although not maxing out the processor Task Manager does point towards those being responsible for Illustrator becoming unresponsive, so im going to try again with Adobe help and see if they can do anything with that in mind.

        Mike_Gondek10189183
        Community Expert
        Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
        Community Expert
        September 30, 2019

        29mb for an all vector file is large. You must not know baout turning off PDF compatible. Do a saves as, save over the smae file and use these settings. This will help

         

         

        You may additionally have techncial issues such as your OS being comprimised by spyware, which more often happens on windows, or on the mac if you click on a fake install for flash update that takes you to a non abode site using the Adobe logo. Need mroe info to help you with that.

         

         

          Old Charles
          Old CharlesAuthor
          Known Participant
          September 30, 2019

          Yes I'm aware that removing "PDF Compatibile File" and "Use Compression" speeds up the process but the point is I never needed to do so and I don't understand why files that I used to handle with ease became suddenly hard to save.

          I hardly doubt I have any spyware/malware since I use a full paid antivirus and performs scans regularly (Kaspersky Total Security). However I'll doublecheck that just in case...

           

          Thanks!

            Monika Gause
            Community Expert
            Monika GauseCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            September 30, 2019

            Which system? Exactly where do you save your files?

            What exactly is in your file? Mostly vectors is a bit ... vague. Effects? patterns? clipping masks? transparency?

            Which options for the file? Did you save with "PDF compatibility"?

            Old Charles
            Old CharlesAuthor
            Known Participant
            September 30, 2019

            Hi, thanks for the quick response.

            Working on local, so saving direclty on my PC.

            System is Windows 10 Pro.

            Hardware is:

            Intel i9-9900k

            nVidia RTX 2080

            64 GB DDR 4 Ram

            Working on dual SDD, nVme PCI + Sata SSD.

             

            The file is I mentioned is a map made just by vectors, so comprehends hundreds layers, groups, masks etc.

            No gradients are used, just plain colors on levels. I am just saving the .AI file, not exporting or anything else.

             

            The point is I've been working on such files since a while with the same setup and I'm experiencing sensible slowing down of the process.

             

            Also yes, saving .AI with PDF compatibility and compression (I use to import the artwork into an indesign document).

            Removing PDF compatibility and compressions surely speeds up the process but it used to be much faster in the past even with two options selected.



            Thank you!

              Monika Gause
              Community Expert
              Monika GauseCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              September 30, 2019
              When was the last time you used "Save as"? You have to do that from time to time in order to optimize the file structure.
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