Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 6/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: At work we design on PC's, we've been having issues with Illustrator.  I'm trying to figure out ways of keeping file size down.
One thing we do is place tif files in AI, and put them into the swatch library for people to use.  They had been embedded, but I had previously used the Rasterize method and from research I could find online it seemed that Rasterizing would keep the file size down, over embedding. But i've been testing files and that doesn't seem true.  

Which is better, to embed or rasterize?

Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Jenni,

First I would never put a TIF file in the swatches panel, that is not what its meant for and that can really increase your file size even if you don't use them. Anytime you embed a file into Illustrator, you are basically adding the size of that file on top of your existing file size.

Rasterizing a TIF file will do nothing for you, since they are already a rasterized file format. The rasterize function is meant to turn Illustrator objects into flattened (rasterized) images.

What you should do is create an images folder either on the server or on each PC for people to use with the TIF files placed in the folder. Then, when people need to use them, they should place them into Illustrator making sure to leave the "Link" box checked. This will not embed them until you choose to do so, keeping the size down. Then when the file is complete and ready to go off their PC, they can select the TIF and choose to embed it then.

Either way, the fact that you have TIFs placed in your Illustrator file will mean larger file sizes. Keeping the resolution or file size of the TIF itself in check will help. I've known people to place 26 mb TIF files when they only needed 2 mb sizes.

Hope this helps.

Kevin




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

QUESTION: HI Kevin,

Hmm..ok so that is how it was initially being done...Tifs are on our server, we were placing those and embedding, but we were having issues, that's why i thought to go the rasterized route.  So you definitely suggest embedding OVER rasterizing?

We create patterns (shapes) that get filled w/ the swatches and we'll spend hours on a file, save it, close out...open it and work on again and it won't allow us to save again?  Any idea why that happens?

Answer
Hi Jenni,

I would suggest Linking over Embedding, if sizes are the issue. But if that was not working, then yes go with Embedding. Rasterizing will do nothing for you.

The saving issue is because you are working across a server that is causing you lapses. Drag the file over to the desktop off the server, work on it, save it. Close and drag back to the server. Adobe actually highly recommends NOT working live across a server because of so many issues with PC servers.

Thanks

Kevin