Postscript/PDF files are unusually large

Thread View: adobe.framemaker

4 messages

[T] Back to Threads [V] Tree View [G] Group Articles

4 total messages Started by Jennifer_Petroskey Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:28

#2412

Author: Jennifer_Petroskey
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:28

16 lines
2401 bytes

We've recently updated a very large book (648 pp). The PDF of the updated book (version 2) is approximately four times the size of the previous version (version 1). The total size of all files used in the version 1 book is actually larger than those of the version 2 book. However, when we print to a Postscript file, version 1's PS is smaller than the combined total, while version 2's PS is much larger. We were recently unable to create a PDF because the sections of the book were much too large. We resolved this by changing all graphics in Version 2 from JPG and WMF to GIF. Version 1 uses a combination of WMF, JPG and TIFF graphics. We usually print directly to Adobe PDF, but for troubleshooting purposes, we printed to Postscript and then distilled the file. We get the same results with both PDF creation methods. The PDF options are left on the default.

This problem exists on both the book file level and the section files it contains. Here's an example of the size of a single section:
Frame file:
Version 1- 17 MB
Version 2- 13 MB
Postscript file:
Version 1- 6 MB
Version 2- 33 MB
PDF file:
Version 1- 1 MB
Version 2: 4 MB

Looking at that, I would say the problem lies in the Postscript file, but I am unsure what could be causing it. The images are about the same size and quantity. Version 2 is only 28 pp longer than Version 1. The chief difference between the two versions of the book is the type of image used. Before we changed them all to GIFs, the PDF was twice its current size. The PDF for the whole book is 59 MB, which is unacceptable to us or our customer. The previous PDF was 13 MB.

If anyone has any insight into what could be causing this, I would really appreciate your help. We are running FrameMaker 7.1 on Windows XP. Thank you for your help.

Re: Postscript/PDF files are unusually large

#2414

Author: Thomas_Michanek
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:23

12 lines
1331 bytes

I think you need to give us more information:
Are the PS files created on the same computer, by the same version
of FrameMaker, with the same printer instance (Adobe PDF)?
Are the PDF files created on the same computer, by the same version
of Acrobat, with the same distiller options?

If you're using different computers, different versions of FM/Acrobat,
different setups of Adobe PDF, or different distiller options, then that
could certainly explain the differences.

-- 
/Thomas Michanek

Re: Postscript/PDF files are unusually large

#2415

Author: Jennifer_Petroskey
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:50

1 lines
983 bytes

Both versions used in my example file were generated by me within ten minutes, using the same PC, and thus the same versions of Frame and same distillers. This is also the case with the book file. All people in my work group use the same version of Frame. Our distillers may be different, however the resulting file size is the same regardless of who generates the PDF.

Re: Postscript/PDF files are unusually large

#2417

Author: Thomas_Michanek
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:35

32 lines
2552 bytes

If it's not too much trouble for you, I would test one more thing:
In both version 1 and version 2 of the document you examplified,
temporarily remove all graphics and create a PDF. If the file sizes
becomes nearly equal, then you *know* it's the graphics and
not something else in the files or the setup.

Are you by any chance copying the graphics into your documents,
rather than importing by reference? I don't think this should
matter when it comes to PDF file size, but it certainly matters
for the FM file size and stability. You said:
"We were recently unable to create a PDF because the sections
 of the book were much too large. We resolved this by changing
 all graphics in Version 2 from JPG and WMF to GIF."
Copying graphics and letting the troubles that causes you to
make a decision to change the graphics' format is not something
I would recommend...

And, the type of graphics (bitmapped or vector, color depth, etc)
and how the distiller is set up to handle them is a major factor
in PDF file size. Since it seems you do use different types of
graphics in the two versions of your files, then my guess is
that's the reason for the different PDF file sizes.

(Note: it's not the file format per se that causes different results
in distilling. A TIFF or PNG or GIF file format won't matter, as long
as the images really are the same. But GIF only supports 8-bit
color depth, so a 24-bit TIFF may contain much more information
than an 8-bit GIF. And a vector WMF file is certainly not the
same as a bitmapped TIFF file.)

-- 
/Thomas Michanek

Thread Navigation

This is a paginated view of messages in the thread with full content displayed inline.

Messages are displayed in chronological order, with the original post highlighted in green.

Use pagination controls to navigate through all messages in large threads.

Back to All Threads