Use Path Simplification to reduce the number of Anchor Points

[Om Nath Jha]

With the Simplify option, we can remove unnecessary anchor points and generate a simplified optimal path for our complex artwork, without making any significant changes to the path shape. 

Simplify option would solve problems related to complex path editing. 

Key benefits -  

• Easy and accurate path editing  
• Reduced vector file size 
• Faster file display and print 

How do I simplify a path? 

• Select the object. 
• Choose Object > Path > Simplify. 

Check this help article for complete details about this feature.

Feedback and questions:  

Reply to this post to share your feedback on this feature, and any questions you have around using it. Our team of experts here will do their best to assist you. 

[Henna1]

I am using simplify to reduce the file size with large vector images. Simplify in new v24.0 Illustrator is not keeping the shape of the vector image. An example:

This is how the image looks before simplify (all content selected):

When I select Object > Path > Simplify, a new dialog (1) opens (images below) and for example all circles are reshaped (2). Even though I remove the Auto-simplify selection and open the More options dialog circles are not returned to the original shape (3). And the sliders does not have any affect to the reshaped shapes. 

In the last image is an example how this looked like in the Illustrator v23.0. When the Simplify dialog (5) was opened the shape did persist as it was (4), or at least with sliders it can be set to be as it was and still the amount of points was reduced.

Also in other vector images, if the amount of points are reduced the image will be reshaped in v24.0. In v23.0 it was possible to keep the shape and reduce the amount of the points.

Is there anything I can do differently to get this work, or is this a way how Adobe wants the simplify work from now on? 

 

[splette]

I am also having problems with the new Simplify Path: Oversimplification and introduction of new edges significantly changes the original shape. Adjusting the sliders for smoothness or angle threshold doesn't fix this. Auto Simplify Path result introduces new edges in shape

I still have AI CS6 installed and even that gives better results without newly introduced edges.

[happie_97]

Yeah, I use it often. It's not perfect. I always have to play with the settings and sometimes it just doesn't work. Sometimes I use it on paths that it works well on and then leave the others as is.