Reduce ai file size with many copies of same embedded image

[MurzNN]

I have ai file, that contains many copies of same embedded image (i need embedded image, not linked). So I embed into documen only one image, and make many copies of it. As result, I have very large ai file fize.

How can I reduce ai file size via store same embedded image only one time into ai file?

[Jacob Bugge]

Murz,

How about dragging it to the Symbols palette and taking it from there (literally)?

[MurzNN]

I already use this file as symbol, but this not help with reducing file size. So I have document, that contains instances of one symbol, that contain embedded image.

But every new instance of symbol (link to symbol is kept active) increasing total file size, also in Links panel I see separate file for each symbol instance.

[Monika Gause]

MurzNN  schrieb

But every new instance of symbol (link to symbol is kept active) increasing total file size, also in Links panel I see separate file for each symbol instance.

That shouldn't be the case.

Also it's not clear what exactly you're doing. You might be doing it wrong or Illustrator is misbehaving.

Also: just in case when you save the AI file with embedded PDF, then all images will be embedded in the PDF automatically.

It would help when you show screenshots.

[Ton Frederiks]

I think Illustrator is misbehaving, it adds an item in the Links panel for every time the image symbol is used.

I tried an older version (CS6) and nothing appears in the Links panel when a symbol is used.

Also a difference in filesize: CS6: 6 MB for 10 symbols, CC2019: 115,6 MB

[MurzNN]

How to reproduce this problem in any Illustrator instance:

1. Create clean AI file with A4 page.

2. Place any pixel image (with size ~10 mb) embedded to this page. Save file, it will have size about ~10 mb)

3. Make this image as symbol and remove object from page.

4. Place symbol to page one time.

5. Save file. File size will be, eg, ~10 mb.

6. Now place same symbol to page more 4 times, total will be 5 images on page.

7. Save file and check size - it will be increased to ~50 mb.

As result, you will have ai file, containing only 5 copies of one image, with ~50 mb size instead of ~10 mb!

[Jacob Bugge]

Murz,

It may be time to voice it here:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/

[MurzNN]

Filled: Regression: Illustrator CC saves each instance of symbol in .ai file separately – Adobe Illustrator ...

[Ton Frederiks]

Voted and added link to this thread/

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

I just found that there is a difference between a Static and a Dynamic Symbol.

If you select the Symbol and choose Symbol Options... from the Symbol panel menu you can change the symbol from the default Dynamic Symbol to a Static Symbol.

All the link items will disappear and the file will be much smaller when saved.

That also explains why CS6 behaved different, Dynamic Symbols did not exist then.

[MurzNN]

Yeath!!! Thanks!

[Simmer1]

Hi,

Is the image pixel image?

If so reducing the overall Illustrator file size would be difficult.

[MurzNN]

Yes, image is pixel image. But why Illustrator save each copy of same pixel image separately in file, even if all instances are into one symbol?