Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 12/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Kevin

I need to export artwork out of Illustrator CS4 for a signage company. They have requested a .tif file at 300ppi at the full size of the signage (2 990mm x 800mm) as the program they are printing out of does not support the transparency and drop shadow effects I've used in the artwork.

I've tried rasterizing the object separately but get the error "The combination of artwork size and resolution exceeds the maximum that can be rasterized." And if I get the same message if use the export dialogue, and try to export to a .tif.

If I try export to a .jpg I get the error message "Insufficient memory was available to complete the operation." - I get the same message if try to import an .ai or a .pdf of it into Photoshop.

I have Intel Dual Core E8400 (3.0 GHz) CPU and 4GB RAM running Vista SP1.

How do I save this artwork in a raster format?

ANSWER: Hi Grant,

Been here, dealt with it and unfortunately, Im not sure you will like the answer.

You are out of memory due to the sheer size of your file. 300 dpi at 3 meters by 1 meter is HUGE. But you already knew that.

What the error that you are receiving is really telling you that you have achieved a size greater than the application can handle, no matter how much RAM you throw at it. Remember, Illustrator is a vector app at heart and asking it to rasterize something this large is more than it was ever intended to do.

My first suggestion is to seriously consider another printer -here's why:

Most printers can take a 1/2 size image (eps or native AI file) and use their software to blow this up to full size. Its very rare (and odd) that a printer requests a full size, rasterized, and high resolution file for printing. Its a huge disadvantage to you.  A normal file for large format printing is high res at 1/2 size, or full-size with a lower resolution. Never both. This really sounds like they are using either outdated software/equipment or to make it easier on them, are asking you to do all the work for processing.

If you are committed to this printer, the only help I can offer is to try opening it in Photoshop directly and have that raster it (which may still give you the error, and if not, will take a VERY long time - run it overnight) or to export out at 150 dpi and see if that works for you. There is nothing else you can really do besides changing the size of your file or your printer.

Wish I could be more helpful but hopefully this sheds some light on things.


Kevin


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

QUESTION: Thank you Kevin.

I was affraid you might say that, I've been down this road before and ended up having to change the artwork to exclude any 'special effects'. Would there be any benefit in moving to a 64bit platform?

What setting would you recomend using if saving to a .pdf for large format printing?

Kind regards
Grant

Answer
Hey Grant,

64-bit may be a step in the right direction, but its not a guaranty when it comes to file size issues. Also Illustrator is only available in a 32-bit format. For a PDF I would use High Quality print. No need to go higher res, such as press quality, or the X-1 series. Normally 200 dpi is the highest I've ever had to go for large format printing if not lower.

Thanks

Kevin