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Is there a way to keep the jpg compression in .ai-files with embeded raster graphics?
Ok so I had an .ai-file of 2800kB.
I pasted a 2MB jpg in the document and the file is now 16MB.
So I guess the JPG is converted to some pixel graphic so transforms etc. could be done easily. And maybe also saved an extra time in the PDF-preview.
However I find this a wast of space, since I mostly use jpgs as visualisation/illustration. Is there a lighter way?
Yep, you can do this. You can either keep them embedded and turn off Create PDF Compatible File, or you can link to the original files (and still turn off Create PDF Compatible File).
If you place an image using File → Place, it will link to the image by default. You can check this by opening Window → Links — if the Embed Image(s) action is available, it’s linked.
However, you’ll notice if you now save your file, it‘s bigger. That’s probably because you have Create PDF Compatible File turned on. If you do, Save As, and turn it off.
I’ve saved some test files with linked and embedded versions. The image and linked file add up to roughly the same size as the embedded file.
426KB + 924KB = 1,350KB (~1.4MB)
