Illustrator - massive file sizes

[jeremy h]

Hi - I'm getting massive file sizes when saving ai files out of CS4. For example a simple file, a couple of layers, no imported / placed bitmaps, nothing unusual - 9 mb !!! Saving as v10 gives me under 1 mb.

Anyone had this? Got any thoughts?

Am I missing anything obvious?

Thanks

 

[FourCandles]

Possible the edit history?

If your ai file has many history levels then this will increase file size, which is why when you save back to v10 (or actually any Save As...) the file is smaller as it doesn't have the history.

Otherwise, there's this KB article...

http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/330/330081.html

 

[jeremy h]

Thanks v much for the response - had a browse through that article but have tried a few of those already. No joy...

Sorry, I'm probably being thick here but how do I edit the history? (I always just cmd z in Illustrator). I'd already tried re-saving with a save-as... no joy again!

 

[eponym]

Deselect the "PDF compatible" option when you save/save-as. Especially if you're linking to external high-res files.

It forces the file to embed all kinds of extra data.

 

[jeremy h]

Thanks eponym - have already tried that one! I'm now guessing that it's some kind of local problem (to my copy of Illustrator). Sounds like it's not an obvious issue. I'll try dumping preferences etc

 

[Zoreke]

compression

Hi you need to check the Use compression box on the save dialog box (for illustrator files).

Good luck

Z

 

[jeremy h]

Thanks for that Zoreke, it was actually checked. The jobs gone off now. Doesn't seem to have been any issues other than the mad file size.

I've been using Illustrator since v3 and lately I'm beginning to wonder what Adobe are trying to do with it... IMO - lots of bloaty new features but a lack of clear direction as to what it is these days. Perhaps CS5 is better? (Anything has got to be better than the way you change page size etc in CS4!)