Large AI files

[zhivkod]

I use AI to create wireframes with heavy use of symbols and pixel-perfect lines.

When I open a symbol to edit its contents, I see an automatic "Shapes expanded" notification in Illustrator that fades out after a few seconds, and there is no visual change on the document. When I save the document, however, even if I haven't added anything to it, File size increases with 5-6 Mbs (from an original 3Mb file). After a few saves like this, AI becomes frustrating slow because of the large file size - moving a symbol takes anything up to 30 sec.

The problem is fixed if I save the file in EPS format and then open that file and resave it again in AI format - it is brought back to a small size.

Very frustrating... any ideas how to fix?

[sishamIAGD]

Are you able to supply a test file for us to look at to see if we get the same results..?

[zhivkod]

Thanks so much for offering to help Sisham! I will forward a copy of the file in a private message

[sishamIAGD]

I too get the same results...?

I tried to run the script as well and that didn't help..?

Mike, I will message you a link to the file in question.

[robbybor · Accepted solution]

Hi, I had the same problem with symbols and "shapes expanded" message. My problem was that I created a symbol with inside another symbol. When I expanded the second symbol (that one inside another) the problem was solved. Here the topics: https://forums.adobe.com/message/9256280?et=watches.email.outcome#9256280

[Mike_Gondek]

Thanks @robbybor, missed you post earlier as gotten 3 messages with files that day.

When you get a message you do not see the post and most people forget to include a link to the post.

Zhivkov please choose the post that helped you moist, I would suggest Robbybor as he nailed it without even seeing that file, that nested symbols was the issue. Points we get are nice from a symbolic standpoint as we do not get paid, but most of all pole will see which answer was the solution and the post gets changed to green to se know you do not need more help.

[Mike_Gondek]

Thanks sishamDDS the poster sent me the file also. I messaged back asking them to simplify the file and provide exact instructions.

Do not mind helping people out, but am spending 1/2 hour or more on one post is hard, especially since I am on 12+ hour days this week because of tight brand release deadline.

The file opens very slow, sometimes is locked up for only 45 seconds this time is coming to life after 5 minutes and still cannot pull down menus, so am going to force quite an restart.

When I had this open yesterday there were nested symbols, which I need have done before and just saying that is suspect.

Once I try look ing at file working will look for signs of deleted global colors, etc and then look at the code manually as the plug in may not be as thorough. 

[Mike_Gondek]

Good news, was able to repair the file. Will send Zhivkod & Sisham a message with link as art may be private.

Problem was indeed a nested symbol.Selected  symbol and threw  in the trash icon to expand. This slow file came to life instantly . and is now 854K.

No one except myself mentioned how unbearably slow this file was, can you please share your experience as it was pretty bad for me.

I do not work much with symbols, but believe @Kurt Gold and a few other do. Can anyone else let us know about your experience with nested symbols so we know if this is something to stay away from or some other condition in this file made that symbols bad.

[sishamIAGD]

Thanks Mike Gondek2​file is working like a dream now.

It was considerably slower before. I too don't know too much on the subject so will investigate a bit more when I have the time.

Thanks again for your help.

[Mike_Gondek]

Deleted Global Colors/[HUH?] error/Unused Brushes Keep Returning

You may need to install the fix bad plugin

Pasting artwork is slow or file includes unused data

Also file >> save as and turn pdf compatible off.

[zhivkod]

Thanks for these Mike, I tried the bad plugin but it was already on and the pdf compatibility I think might help a little but just a little - it just takes a few more modifications to the file before it starts lagging back in the same way...

[Mike_Gondek]

Feel free to post a file with dropbox or similar if you like.

If this indeed has code in the tags from the issues the bad plug in is supposed to fix, I take this issue very seriously, as this spreads across your files like wildfire.

[zhivkod]

Thanks so much all for your help, many thanks sishamDSS and Mike Gondek2! Indeed, my file is fixed.

While the problem can be fixed, by removing nested symbols, I am not convinced that is the real cause. I think the real cause is Dynamic symbols. I was able to keep file sizes small using a significant amount of nested symbols, as long as I keep them Static rather than Dynamic. To me this is a bug in the system - dynamic symbols do not at present gracefully support nesting of symbols. Support should either be enhanced or restricted on the UI.