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Copy and paste take too long

Feb 18, 2013 5:15 PM

I am having trouble with Adoby Illustrator "copy" and "paste" functions. It take a very long time (as long as 30 min) to copy a simple line and even longer to paste it. This probles is getting worse. My file size is unusual as well. A comparable file is 155k and this one is up to 65 meg and growing.

What is wrong and how do I fix it?

943 Views   20 Replies   Latest reply: Monika Gause, Feb 20, 2013 9:26 AM
 
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  • [scott w]
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    1. [scott w],
    Feb 18, 2013 7:36 PM   in reply to reelbikes
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    Copy/paste speed is usually an indicator of OS problems. You've provided no system information, and no information about what version of AI you are using.

     
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  • Michael Riordan
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    2. Michael Riordan,
    Feb 18, 2013 8:02 PM   in reply to reelbikes
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    Do you have a bunch of repeating graphics in your symbols panel and/or your Brushes panel? If so, this is a known issue, there is a solution but it's a bit to spell out without being sure it's the problem. Take a look, let us know. The problem will be obvious, probably lots of ladybugs...

     

    Michael Riordan

    Adobe Certified Instructor

    Digital DesignLab

    http://www.learnadobesoftware.com

     
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  • reelbikes
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    3. reelbikes,
    Feb 18, 2013 9:05 PM   in reply to Michael Riordan
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    Yes,Yes, Yes""""""""""

    Shopping carts and envelopes!!!

    How do i fix it?

     
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  • Michael Riordan
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    4. Michael Riordan,
    Feb 18, 2013 9:11 PM   in reply to reelbikes
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    Just found Adobe's write up, which makes it a whole lot easier on me . Here are the steps you need to follow:

    http://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/copy-paste-artwork-slow-or.html

     
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  • reelbikes
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    5. reelbikes,
    Feb 18, 2013 9:13 PM   in reply to Michael Riordan
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    Thank you very much!

     
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  • reelbikes
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    6. reelbikes,
    Feb 18, 2013 10:05 PM   in reply to Michael Riordan
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    Tried all three sugestions and none of them worked with CS3.

    Still have a problem??????

     

    And, I can not find an Illustrator preferances file????

     
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  • Mike Gondek
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    7. Mike Gondek,
    Feb 19, 2013 9:08 AM   in reply to reelbikes
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    Location of prefs file:

    http://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/preference-file-location-illustr ator.html

     

    How were you able to try the solutions if you did not know where the prefs file is???

     

    Try again, and actaully what they labeled as solution 2 & 3 need to both be done to fix this. In the meantime do NOT copy anything from the infected file to any other file, or this will spread like wildfire to all your files.

     
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  • reelbikes
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    8. reelbikes,
    Feb 19, 2013 9:51 AM   in reply to Mike Gondek
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    There is no Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator CS3 Settings//Users/username/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator CS3 Settings/

     

    I have even tried to do a file search for "Library",  CS3 Settings",  and I do not find anything.

    Maybe this is my problem.

     
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  • Michael Riordan
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    9. Michael Riordan,
    Feb 19, 2013 9:57 AM   in reply to reelbikes
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    I'm guessing you are on a mac with a fairly recent version of the operating system. Apple recentlytook to hiding the library folder. Toaccess it, you now need to hold down the option key when you access the go menu. Do that and the Library folderwill magically appear. Then you can look inside for the illustrator prefs.

     

    hope that helps,

     

    Michael Riordan

    Adobe Certified Instructor

    Digital DesignLab

    http://www.learnadobesoftware.com

     
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  • reelbikes
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    10. reelbikes,
    Feb 19, 2013 10:37 AM   in reply to Michael Riordan
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    WOW!  Thanks for the tip!

    Why would they want to hide the prefs folder?

     
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  • Michael Riordan
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    11. Michael Riordan,
    Feb 19, 2013 11:08 AM   in reply to reelbikes
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    just to keep inexperienced users from changing things they shouldn't.

     
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  • reelbikes
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    12. reelbikes,
    Feb 19, 2013 12:19 PM   in reply to reelbikes
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    Well thanks to Michael, I was able to do all the steps outlined in the fix recomended by adobe but it still does not work.

    File is still 7 meg (should be 155k) still can not copy and paste.

    I am running on a MacBook Pro with10.7.4 my illustrator version is CS3

    Help!!!

     
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  • steve fairbairn
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    13. steve fairbairn,
    Feb 19, 2013 3:43 PM   in reply to reelbikes
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    File is still 7 meg (should be 155k)

    Did you perchance save your file with an unnecessary colour profile?

    Did you embed an image when you could have linked it?

    Did you save the file with pdf compatability when there was no need to?

     

    Things like that can balloon file sizes; I suspect the colour profile.

    Try a Save As (or Save a Copy), checking only Use Compression and see what happens to file size and speed of saving.

     
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  • reelbikes
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    14. reelbikes,
    Feb 19, 2013 4:38 PM   in reply to steve fairbairn
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    No, No, and No. I did not save with 'pdf compatibility or unnecessary color settings and there are no embeded images.

    The file is still 7.2meg and copy and paste cause AI to stop responding. I have to force quit.

     
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  • Michael Riordan
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    15. Michael Riordan,
    Feb 19, 2013 5:14 PM   in reply to reelbikes
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    Can you post a screen capture showing your symbols panel and brush panel?

     

    Michael Riordan

    Adobe Certified Instructor

    Digital DesignLab

    http://www.learnadobesoftware.com

     
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  • reelbikes
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    16. reelbikes,
    Feb 19, 2013 6:00 PM   in reply to Michael Riordan
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    Screen Shot 2013-02-19 at 5.58.13 PM.pngScreen Shot 2013-02-19 at 5.57.55 PM.png

     
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  • reelbikes
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    17. reelbikes,
    Feb 19, 2013 6:01 PM   in reply to reelbikes
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    I can not delete the last 6 brushes

     
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  • steve fairbairn
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    18. steve fairbairn,
    Feb 20, 2013 3:27 AM   in reply to reelbikes
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    Try trashing unused colour swatches and then save the file under a new name.

    Any change in file size?

     

    There is something in there that is making your file absurdly large. I’m convinced that’s what is crippling your machine.

     

    If you can copy and paste stuff into a new document (bit by bit) it may help. Use Cmd+F for pasting to preserve positioning.

     
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  • reelbikes
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    19. reelbikes,
    Feb 20, 2013 8:58 AM   in reply to steve fairbairn
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    Unfortunatly, I cant even copy a single line without causing havoc.

     
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  • Monika Gause
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    20. Monika Gause,
    Feb 20, 2013 9:26 AM   in reply to reelbikes
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    If that doesn't happen to all your files, but only to one file, then this file seems seriously broken.

     

    CS3 doesn't offer simple fixes for this. Maybe CS6 with its repair routines can fix your file and it can then be saved down to CS3 again. You could try and use the Demo version or maybe someone will try for you if you post the file.

     
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