Preview not working - Illustrator 29.5.1 MacOs Sequoia 15.5

[SundayGladiator]

Now I get the attached message when I open up my AI file. I've been able to open it and preview it fine before. Now this.

So I downloaded the latest update, and still the same message.

Any ideas?

I've tried switching from CPU to GPU and I get the same message.

[Monika Gause]

Please tell us more about the hardware specifications and the nature of the file.

WHen was the last time you rebooted the computer?

[SundayGladiator]

MacBook Pro, 16in 2021 - M1 Pro chip - 32 GB ram - 929 GB free storage space.

Restarted several time. Same result.

File is an 82 MB ai file. It has a bunch of imported PNG images.

Worth noting - when I deleted all the imported PNG images in the ai file, the preview then started working. But that's a deal breaker for me obviously.

The mystery is just last week I opened the very same file without preview issues. No changes to the hardware that I've done whatsoever.

[Monika Gause]

How much of that RAM is free?

Do you have other apps running as well?

Did you try and delete the images one by one? Maybe it's a specific one that does not work?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @SundayGladiator,

Could you confirm if Illustrator behaves this way with specific files, or files stored in a particular folder location (internal/external/network drive or a cloud-synced folder like Google Drive/Dropbox/etc.) as Monika suggested, to see if it helps?

Also, try running Illustrator under a different administrator account (macOS) and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

[SundayGladiator]

I run all my files from my desktop/source hard drive. Never from the cloud or from external hard drives.

Not sure I can change the admin. Do you mean log into my Mac another another user name?

I think Monika might be on to something re a PNG image that turned sour. I would have to delete each of the 17 imported PNG files one by one. If I delete all of them, the preview works. So it does have something to do with those imported images and/or the amount of RAM I have allocated to the AI program.

Which then begs the question - how do I allocate more RAM to AI exclusively? Outside of quitting out all of my other apps. 

Thank you!  

[SundayGladiator]

How does this RAM usage look for my AI app?

I do have other apps running, but much smaller. AI is the big hog.

And thank you for your quick responses to my dilemma! 🙂

[Monika Gause]

How large are these images?

Are they linked or embedded?

Do you have other Illustrator files open?

Did you try botting into Safe Mode and running Illustrator?

[SundayGladiator]

How large are these images?

Anywhere from 8mb to 17mb ea.

Are they linked or embedded?

Linked.

Do you have other Illustrator files open?

Nope.

Did you try botting into Safe Mode and running Illustrator?

Haven't tried that. But if that does happen to work, then what? 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @SundayGladiator,

If removing all the linked images solves the problem, chances are that either a particular file is corrupted or Illustrator is having difficulty accessing it. To confirm this, try checking if Illustrator has Full Disk access enabled under macOS settings (https://adobe.ly/3ZOI1RP) and then relaunch Illustrator to see if it helps.

If Illustrator is able to preview the file successfully under Safe Mode, another application might be interfering with/preventing access to one of the files, causing this problem. You will need to close all other apps while running Illustrator to see if it works under normal mode, and then launch your other apps one at a time to find the conflicting app.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[SundayGladiator]

Great plan of attack. Look forward to trying these options and will report back. Thank you!

[SundayGladiator]

'..To confirm this, try checking if Illustrator has Full Disk access enabled under macOS settings (https://adobe.ly/3ZOI1RP) and then relaunch Illustrator to see if it helps..'

So I looked for this as a first step, and nowhere I can find 'ActiveProtect' when I do a system search. I'm on MacOS Sequoia 15.5.

And I do not see Adobe Illustrator in the list of Full Disk Access {attached}.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @SundayGladiator,

You will need to click on the + icon at the bottom of this window and then add Adobe Illustrator for Full Disk Access. You might need to relaunch Illustrator if you already have it open for the changes to take effect.

Let us know how it goes.
Anubhav

[SundayGladiator]

Ok now I see the AI application. I was looking in the wrong part of the drive.

Turned on full disk access, restarted AI, same issue.

Still need to try safe mode and eliminating the possibly corrupted PNG files one by one.

Tediously fun times.