Photoshop CS2 - PDF files help

[blueerica]

I'm crossing my fingers that someone might have an idea on why my Photoshop nearly triples the size of a layered PDF that is merely opened and closed, while when two other co-workers do the same, the size remains the same.

When saving a copy without layers and no changes, it nearly doubles the size of a file.

Any idea of what might be happening, or where I can begin looking for a solution (outside of getting Illustrator so I can start working with these files in the manner I choose)? I've checked adobe.com and did a basic google search on the problem... no one seems to mention anything like this. Perhaps I'm asking the wrong questions?

*insert hopes that someone knows WTF I am talking about*

[blueerica]

Oh, I am also looking into how the original item was created. (It's a template for a mailer we create regularly.) I'm thinking there may be something in there, though I find it extremely odd that simply opening-saving-closing is causing this.

[Betty]

Check your settings when you save the pdf. There are different quality levels you can save it at as well as other things that affect the file size such as preserve layers, etc. (try doing a save as if you don't get the preferences windows popping up.)

If you are saving it at high file quality, the file size does get pretty large.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I don't have an actual answer for you, but I've experienced Photoshop's weird effects on PDFs. I've learned to uncheck boxes that preserve layers and photoshop editing abilities in order to get the PDFs to print ok on other people's computers. I've never looked at file size, though.

[BarTopDancer]

You should email tech support and ask for help.

[Alex]

Well, if you are opening and closing without ever saving, that is interesting. Maybe sometime of autosave setting you have on that other people don't?

I don't know anything about Photoshop or PDF creation to know why filesize changes, but it shouldn't ever change at all unless the file is being saved either by you manually for the program automatically.

[bewitched]

I use CS (version 4) not CSII so your mileage with my answer may vary.

When you open a pdf, CS automatically rasterizes (bitmaps) the image which can change its size (and resolution). I'm guessing that your co-workers are opening and closing a different file than you-- depending upon where the image originated, how it was edited and how it was originally saved (before being converted to pdf) rasterization (and therefore size) will vary.

Having said that, I don't really have an answer about how to fix it (and my experience with pdf files, especially in CS, is extremely limited) other than to suggest that you try to resize the original image before saving it as a pdf. I'm curious as to why you are saving an image as a pdf, is it to make it easier for distribution? I don't know about CSII but, CS is not all that great of a program to use for pdf applications.


eta: Have you tried to reset the image size after opening the image? I don't remember how, but you should be able to do so.

eta2: As to file size when saving...I don't know if this will work, but you might look at whether CS is saving the pdf as a bit file. If so, try converting it to JPEG before saving and see if that keeps your file size down.

[blueerica]

Ahh, I should add that file size isn't really a problem, other than "it's weird" and "I hope things aren't corrupted". These are files designed off a template someone else made so that I can send them to the printer. I am thinking I may try out an experiment on my own - creating a similar PDF from scratch and comparing them. I have been considering making my own templates from some time now, anyway.

I am desperate to actually be using Illustrator, as I think it's more appropriate for the situation. That and I think I am going to take a class this summer for it. Maybe then I can convince tha boss that it'll be worth investing in for me.

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by blueerica

Ahh, I should add that file size isn't really a problem, other than "it's weird" and "I hope things aren't corrupted". These are files designed off a template someone else made so that I can send them to the printer. I am thinking I may try out an experiment on my own - creating a similar PDF from scratch and comparing them. I have been considering making my own templates from some time now, anyway.

I am desperate to actually be using Illustrator, as I think it's more appropriate for the situation. That and I think I am going to take a class this summer for it. Maybe then I can convince tha boss that it'll be worth investing in for me.

I thought the 1st part of your problem (or what you were wondering about) was the size of the "viewable" image when you merely opened a pdf in CS. If that is the case, even if the file size is okay, when you actually open a pdf in CS it will automatically be rasterized no matter the size of the file. The rasterization is what is likely causing the viewable image to be really large, not the file size, per se. If that is your immediate concern (as opposed to the saved file size) you should be able to reset the image size (i.e. reduce it) after opening.

Sorry if I wasn't clear in my answer.

On another note...

If you do use Illustrator, and then bring it over to CS, you may see similar issues since CS converts images from Illustrator (and the like) into a bitmap image. However, I believe in that case, CS will allow you to adjust the image size before viewing and/or saving.

Good luck w/ the Illustrator requisition.

eta: Just because I'm curious (okay, nosy), why don't you just open the image in Acrobat before sending it to the printer?

[Kevy Baby]

Nit-picky post:

"CS" is not a program - it is a marketing name (acronym for "Creative Suite") to describe the "Suite" of programs from Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.). Their are several programs within the "CS" family and several different groupings (depending on whether you are a print user, a web user, moving images user, etc.).

Photoshop is a raster-based image editing program.
Illustrator is a vector-based image editing/creation program.
(There are several other programs within the "CS" family, but those are the two main ones being discussed.)

Sorry for the pedantic interruption.