Expert: Amy - 5/20/2009

Question
Hi, I'm trying to copy several technical illustrations (3D) from a PDF file into an AI CS4 file. The vector lines continue out past drawing space. The error I get when I try is "the requested transformation would make some objects too large". I've tried dragging it, cutting it, copying it and I get some version of the above error message. Help!

Answer
Hi Jenn,

So let me get this straight. You've got two files open in AI, the original PDF and the new file. You are trying to copy from the PDF and paste into the new file and you are getting that error. And by drawing space you mean artboard? or when you zoom out all the way, you can't see the edges anywhere.

Seems like a scale issue. The PDF has a different scale than the new doc.

Try a few things here...

If the stuff extends off the page (like I tried to describe above), can you scale the objects in the PDF so that everything fits on the artboard before trying the copy/paste.

Make sure the Document Dimensions are relatively similar. For example, make sure both the original and the new document are letter sized... if not exactly the same size, similarly sized. You could be trying to paste a whale onto a postage stamp. Although I don't see that causing that particular error.

Remove all clipping masks from the PDF file by selecting everything and clicking on Object > Clipping Mask > Release. Then select items one at a time and try the copy/paste. It could be only one object that is causing this error.

Let me know if you get anywhere with these first suggestions. If not, send me the file AmyLynPace@yahoo.com and I will take a look and see if I can see something not obvious.

-Amy