Expert: Amy - 4/24/2004

Question
hello amy
i have illustrator 9.0 when i create an image i can save it as .ai then it opens OK when I work on the file, draw some more and go to save it I get the error message "Acrobat PDF file format is having difficulties"
it won't let me save it as .ai
I am not trying to save it as a PDF I use the save as to save it again, same name .ai and it will overwrite the original, but same problem when I change the images and try to save again, I am far from expert on this program and need help!
I use a PC win XP home
thanks
Raul

Answer
Wow,

You've encountered a problem that a lot of people are having lately but no one seems to be able to answer concisely.

I will write you what I've learned so far and let's hope one of these is helpful.

1- Adobe has an article blaming it on the path and filename of the file you're working on.  Remove any non-English or non-standard characters or spaces from the filename. No bullets, umlauts, accents, etc. Not in the file name or anywhere in the path. This extends to the name of your hard disk as well. No extended characters.

2- Some people are suggesting that it's a problem that happens only when you open/work on files that reside on a server.  So if you are working across a network, just copy the files to your machine and work on them.

3- Most people report that the way to work around this is to keep using the Save As with a new name each time (annoying - wouldn't make me happy).

4- One of the AI programmers that frequents a newsgroup I'm on says: <<Try going to the "Files and Clipboard" panel of the preferences and turn off PDF in the clipboard.>>  I would try this, he's a smart guy.

5- Some people report that they've had success restarting their machines (which clears the TEMP file), they're all going to tell you to reinstall Illustrator after defragging your machine.  This would be my last resort.  Time consuming!

6- Some people also report that it is a corrupt file or group of files.  Sometimes when you've got a bad brush or font or something, they can be transferred to every file you work on and you'll get the same error with every file!

So if you'd like to see if it's the file(s), quit AI, trash your AIprefs file, and instead of opening one of your problem files right away - Open Illustrator empty and make a brand new file. Work on that file for a while and see if the error reoccurs.  If it doesn't, the freeze might indeed have something to do with the content of your files.  If you think it might be the files, go to this page at adobe and follow the troubleshooting suggestions for bad AI files:
http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/11fbe.htm

7- As you've read, some people also blame it on lack of CPU resources or background apps. I myself have a memory black hole caused when I run Acrobat and Illustrator together which eventually requires a restart.  Several an hour, in fact.  I've learned to live with it.  To be sure some other application's artifacts aren't to blame, try shutting your machine down, restarting and then opening nothing but Illustrator and see how long it takes the problem to occur.    

Well, there are seven suggestions.  I hope one, at least, is something that you find helpful!

-Amy Pace