1

I'm pretty new when it comes to working with Illustrator and Photoshop.

Basically I've got a vectorized Illustrator file at 2838 x 893 and I want to scale that as large as I can.

In Illutrator when I open it and select all objects and transform -> scale, the max it lets me is 200%. Then when I try to export as a JPG it tells me insufficient memory to complete the operation and when I try PNG it tells me the rasterized image is out of bounds.

So I tried saving as a PDF so I can rasterize the image in Photoshop, but the new PDF file is still at the original 2838 x 893 resolution.

Surely what I'm trying to do is possible and I'm missing a step somewhere?

Improve this question
5
  • Normally I would think that units are "pixels," but if you are hitting memory limits, I am not so sure. If those are mm units, your resultant uncompressed image would be about a GB @ 300 DPI (width * 300dpi) * (height * 300dpi) * 3 colors. (divide result by 1024 twice to get MB)
    – Yorik
    Commented Dec 8, 2015 at 21:47
  • When you open the PDF in Photoshop you can set the pixel size in the open dialogue. Any size you want.
    – AAGD
    Commented Dec 8, 2015 at 21:49
  • 1
    Hello and welcome to SE. First, please tell us what you are looking to accomplish: are you printing this file, what does the file consist of, what will the end product be used for, etc.? Second, confirm that your units are pixels or otherwise. Third, "vectorized"... pretty funny.
    – paulmz
    Commented Dec 8, 2015 at 22:29
  • How big do you need this to be? As Yorik indirectly says, Illustrator’s standard unit of measurement is millimetres, which means your file is 284 × 90 centimetres, or 112 × 35 inches—which is already pretty damn huge. Why do you need to enlarge a vector image to begin with, though? There’s usually no point in doing that; if you tell us what you’re trying to do with it, we can likely suggest better ways to achieve your goal.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Commented Dec 8, 2015 at 23:14
  • Why do you need the biggest vector document? Do you have a specific purpose? A specific size. If its for printing you dont need the biggest file with maximum dimensions. Let me know so that I can help
    – Sabee
    Commented Apr 21, 2016 at 17:31

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

So you want a gigantic file, eh?

VECTOR

  1. Create a new document in Illustrator at 577.95 cm x 577.95 cm (227.5" x 227.5" ). This is the maximum Illustrator can handle.
  2. Copy and paste your vector file into that new document
  3. Select everything and then go in the menu "Object > Expand". This is to make sure your strokes are not strokes anymore and will be resized properly.
  4. Make sure to select all again, hold the shift key and drag the corner of the bounding box to fit your new huge canvas. That's one way to resize your artwork freely.

You now have a fat huge monster Illustrator vector of more than 5 meters (almost 19').

Note: If you imported images that are raster and not vectors in your Illustrator, you cannot resize your artwork freely. Only vectors can be resized without any quality loss.

RASTER

If you need to rasterize this and want it even bigger... Save that file and open that vector (.ai, .pdf, .eps) with Photoshop with the appropriate resolution. I think the max file dimension on opening is 270cm x 270cm (106.3" x 106.3") and the resolution you prefer. If you use pixels, you'll be limited at 32 000 pixels but you can get more by using the other units and a higher resolution.

Then you can go in the menu "image > image size" in Photoshop, uncheck the "resample" box and lower the resolution to what you need. If it's for web, you can lower it to 72ppi. The file dimension will increase as you lower the resolution. If you want more pixels, open your file at higher resolution.

change image size

You actually don't need to do the steps I mentioned in the first part if you plan is to use a JPG or PNG; doing the steps above simply help you getting an even bigger raster file in Photoshop. You can simply open your original vector in Photoshop with a very (crazy) high resolution and then lower the resolution to increase the image size as mentioned above.

Now, with that size, I don't think you can use the "save for web" to optimize you image but honestly, I don't see why you'd use this online anyway! You can still "save as" in jpg or png and stare at your spinning wheel while Photoshop saves your file. The maximum number of pixels in Photoshop is 300 000 x 300 000 pixels!

spinning wheel of death

FOR PRINTING?

If you plan to use this for printing, you might as well simply stick to your vector file, it's a better quality. It's possible your computer won't let you create the biggest JPG in the world anyway and your printer can resize your vector without any issue. Simply create your file at a smaller size using a ratio (see this) and tell your printer what ratio you used.

If you're designing a billboard for example, you don't design it at its real size. You can design it 1/10 smaller and adjust your resolution accordingly (see links below). Ask your printer about it.

Related:

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/optimize-illustrator-performance-mac-os.html

What resolution should a large format artwork for print be?

Why does Photoshop call ppi "resolution"?

Creating large banners to be viewed from a distance, at a size Illustrator can't handle

Working with physically large (150''+) canvas sizes

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.