Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 1/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: Is there a limitation related to the combination of font size and amount of drop shadow available in Illustrator. When I try to apply a drop shadow to a character above 700pt I get the Err msg "An error occurred processing the appearance of an object". My machine is running a dual processor with 4G RAM if that makes any difference.

ANSWER: Hi Major,

700 pt is really not that large (just under 10"). So the error is coming from somewhere else and I don't think its a memory issue, rather a font issue (not sure since you did not include the font you are using).

The easiest option is to convert this to outlines and run the effect (not the filter).

However, if this needs to remain an editable font, try using a basic font first (Myriad Pro) on a blank document and apply a drop shadow. If that works, then try changing it to the font you need.

If it fails, then it is a font issue and you may need to convert it to outlines.

If neither of those options work and you, then try going to a smaller font size first and running the drop shadow effect. If that works, then try increasing the font size until it fails.

If all of this fails, check Effects>document raster effects settings and let me know what it is set to, what font you are using, how complex is the document (lot of transparency, etc.), and approx. how many fonts do you have loaded, etc. The more information, the better I can answer the issue.

Thanks

Kevin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Kevin,

Tried everything you suggested and nothing seems consistant; so I start at the beginning.

The font is CEZANNE REGULAR
I tried it at 800ppi with just 1 character 'B' then applied the Effect>Stylize>Drop Shadow at 0.2 Offsets. That worked fine but as I added more characters it took up to 1 minute to apply the effect and finally errored out at 5 characters. Note that I removed the effect each time before adding another character.
I had similar results when I created Outlines as you suggested.
This was all done on a 200cm x 50cm document with no other objects whatsoever.

This is AI CS3 Version 13.0 running on a brand new Dell Studio 1735(Vista Ultimate) with a Intel Duel core T9300 @ 2.5GHz and 4GB RAM.

The O/S is loaded on C:

Virtual Memory is Automatic with 3,881MB allocated

ALL program files are loaded on D:

AI Scratch Disks are both set on D: which has 187GB free

Is this a good or bad memory strategy?




AI Document Raster Effects Settings

Color Moddel: CMYK
Resolution: 300ppi
Background: Transparent
Options: Add '1.27cm' Around Object
Preserve Spot Colors = True

FONTS: there are 710 listed in Windows/fonts and only 9 listed in Program Files/Adobe....

Anything I missed here?

Answer
Hi Major,

Thanks for the information. The issue is your memory is running low. The fact that it did run on one character now but as you added more it fails means that is the limitation of your Illustrator memory for rendering the effect.

What you have is a perfect storm - 700 fonts actively loaded, 800 ppi (very high res), then given the fact of the larger font size, and the complexity of cezanne, all adds up to a lot to ask of from AI's memory.

You can try running the drop shadow with the document raster effect setting changed to 72 and I bet you get more characters to appear correctly.

Here are some things you should do to remedy the memory issue: First get a font manager (font explorer, suitcase, font agent, etc.) this will automatically turn fonts on and off to keep the actual number of active fonts low. Next, I tend to stay away from the "dual boot" method with my apps on a separate drive than the OS. I use the D drive for files and projects, but keep apps and OS on the same drive.

I have had a lot of client issues with Vista in general and memory allocation, but even more with the dual drives. You should run your control panel to view your actual memory usage (the actual panel name escapes me) and then start to work in Illustrator. When you start to apply the drop shadow at 800 ppi, pay particular attention. I bet you start to notice a huge spike in memory usage.

To get around this for now, you can work in outline mode and apply the drop shadows. However, you may need to save out as a pdf to print properly.

Thanks

Kevin