Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 10/22/2008

Question
Hi

As of today my Illustrator CS3 started ginving me this error:
"The operation cannot be complete because there isn't enough memory (RAM) available"

This comes up every time i go to open a new file. It has never done this before, I can open files that i had created with no "memory" problems.

I checked my activity monitor application to make sure that there's memory so i know that that's not the problem.

do you know what could be the problem?

by the way I am running on a Mac OS X with 2x3.2Ghz Quad-core intel xeon and 2GB or Ram.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Ulises,

To be honest, 2 Gigs of total ram is not very much. The issue is not your total memory but what is available when you try to open your files.

I have a feeling if you can open existing files but not create new files that you have a font issue. If you have a font manager (NOT font book - suitcase, fontxplorer, etc.) check to see how many open fonts you have. Every font you have open takes away active RAM from AI. If you are not using a font manager, get one! This means that every font you have ever installed or was installed with apps is currently active at the same time and is a HUGE memory hog.

Check your fonts and let me know.

Thanks

Kevin