Rendered pdf takes time to load (layer by layer)

[goranl19234833]

I created a brochure in Illustrator and exported it as a pdf. When I open that pdf file, it takes time to fully load, it seems to me that is opening layer by layer. It takes 2-3 sec to fully open. Also, the same problem happens when zooming. Please take a look at the attachments to better understand.

What I did in Illustrator, is that I created shadows via blend mode, and I think that's causing the problem.

So, what can I do to solve the problem? Except, to remove the shadows.

Thanks,

Goran

[Monika Gause]

What is that shadow? A blend? or transform effect with a couple gazillion steps?

[goranl19234833]

Yeah, that is blend shadow, created with smooth colors, black and white, and multiply transparency

[Monika Gause]

Most probably those are just too many objects.

[Ton Frederiks]

You could try to rasterize the shadow.

[goranl19234833]

I tried, but nothing. It creates a solid color shadow

[Ton Frederiks]

Which you can use with a blend mode like darken or multiply.

[goranl19234833]

When I removed the blended shadow and added a drop shadow, everything worked fine.

The question remains, why did the blend cause a problem ...

[John Mensinger]

Because a blend is made up of many intermediate objects.

[goranl19234833]

My blend options were smooth colours between solid black and transparent white.

Is there a better way to get this shadow effect with blends?

[Monika Gause]

You don't see the intermediate objects inside Illustrator. But when exporting the PDF, the intermediates get expanded and then there are objects.

Blend will always create this.

If you want a block shadow, use the plugin AG Blockshadow. It will create an object that can have a gradient applied. The plugin is commercial and comes at a cost. The alternative would be to create you object manually. You can also try the method outlined here: https://www.vektorgarten.de/long-shadows-with-illustrator.html