Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 9/10/2008

Question
I am working with Illustrator CS3 on a PC and I'm currently working on a
larger map including an imported PDF file. The file size is around 7MB. When
I want to save the file, Illustrator freezes and it takes around 6 hours to save
the file while stating in the Task Manager that Illustrator is not responding. In
the last days I used to save overnight so I could go on working next morning.
But the more I worked on this file, the longer it takes to save. Now a night is
not enough, so that I am unable to continue work in the morning. What is the
problem? Andreas.

Answer
Hi Andreas,

Two things come to mind. One is you may not have enough active memory to run Illustrator efficiently, check your memory manager control panel and see how much it actually uses.

Second is your file may not actually be 7mb if you have placed images linked in Illustrator (the PDF file). Your file will appear to be 7 mb, because the images are linked and not embedded. However when you go to export, it will embed this file and increase your file size causing AI to slow down.

So, check your memory and then check the size of the PDF you have inside your file. I think you will find that it is much larger than 7 mb. If it is significantly larger, try reducing the PDF or changing it into a jpg file in Photoshop first, then replacing it in AI. Also you may  need to get more RAM or make sure other apps are closed.

Thanks

Kevin