topic Re: Published PDF Large Size in Documentation

Published PDF Large Size

henrysaxby — Tue, 16 May 2023 22:34:11 GMT

Hello Archicad Community,

I'm working on a project that has about 20 drawings. These are large/complex plan drawings of a full floor of a tower block, full of partition walls, offices, chairs etc. When I export the drawings, the majority export as PDF between 200-500KB, with three drawings in the package exporting at 11MB.

I can't figure out why these three drawings are coming out so large, and the architect I'm working for is persisting with me that I need to reduce the file size.

So far I have:

- Consolidated Lines (rid of thousands of lines)

- Consolidated Fills & Deleted unnecessary

- Deleted everything that isn't required

- Purged layers that are unnecessary

- Attempted to reduce file size in Acrobat (made file bigger!)

- Attempted to reduce file size in Apple Preview (Made file bigger!)

The three drawings are all based off the same level, but not all drawings created from this level are causing the overt size issue. Also, when I work on this level or with the drawing that is placed on the layout, the computer moves incredibly slowly.

Is there anything that anyone can recommend I try that might help to get the file size down on these three drawings?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Henry.

Re: Published PDF Large Size

mija — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:00:37 GMT

Hi, have you tried pdf options in archicad? Also, could be too much fills honestly...

Re: Published PDF Large Size

henrysaxby — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:13:43 GMT

Hi Mija,

Thanks for the quick reply! I've just tried the PDF document options, thinking that if I didn't export layers, it may help. Sadly it hasn't made a difference.

I've just double checked how many fills are in the drawing. There's only 23 fills, solid black, that represent the columns passing through the floors. There are a number of fills that are not part of the drawing (layers that are turned off), so I didn't think they'd impact the drawing?

Thanks for your help though, it's greatly appreciated!

Henry!

Re: Published PDF Large Size

Lee Hankins — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:28:18 GMT

Large PDF files are usually a symptom of there being images or image fills and complex fills added to the view. Was all the data drawn in Archicad? Sometimes translation of DWG fills can cause file size issues too.

Re: Published PDF Large Size

henrysaxby — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:41:18 GMT

I have figured it out!

There was a 3D object of a planter box that was used in the drawings (in plan view only showing in 2D), that was very polygon heavy. I created a new 2D object that was a basic outline of the planter box. There were 3 of them on each of the 3 drawings that were having issues. The drawings have gone from 11MB to 260KB.

Far more reasonable!

Thanks so much for your input and advice!

Re: Published PDF Large Size

Pickle ricK — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 21:37:37 GMT

Hello.
I am having the same issue.

I am using downloaded BIM objects which I use as a reference for interior design project.
Unfortunately the option to lower polygon - does not take the effect to the object.
I also use textures in interior views to clarify the final result. Textures are sesamless about 1000px and everytime under 500kb.

This one PDF takes around 30Mbs. Its too large. I have over 50 of theese.

Any suggestions? Thank you for any help.
Filip

Re: Published PDF Large Size

Barry Kelly — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 02:03:15 GMT

Change the wall and floor surfaces to something that does not have a surface texture.

The see how big the PDF file is.

If it is still a big file, it might be something to do with the objects.

If it is considerably smaller, then it is the wall and floor materials.

Barry.

Re: Published PDF Large Size

BHU — Thu, 02 May 2024 04:18:56 GMT

This is not the answer to your question but I have noticed a reduced file size when I use Save As.
Off course its not that practical when you have many files to publish. Is there any different in PDF file size for you if you try Save As... VS Print...?

Re: Published PDF Large Size

Barry Kelly — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 06:19:21 GMT

Yes, always 'Save' when you publish to PDF, so it uses the built-in PDF converter, rather than using an external PDF converter.

It may well affect the file size.

Barry.

Re: Published PDF Large Size

DomenicI — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:22:57 GMT

Graphisoft needs to look into the built-in converter.

I publish a file and the size is 6.5m - if I print the file using Bluebeam printer or Nitro Pro printer it is half the size for the same quality.

It is just more work work need to print each file individually and lacks documentation QA.

I just have our main client asking for smaller PDF files

Re: Published PDF Large Size

Barry Kelly — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:39:57 GMT

You can still publish and 'Print' to the PDF printer of your choice - all PDFs in one publish operation.

You just can't merge them into one document automatically, you have to do that manually after creating the PDF if you can.

Also you may have issues with the quality of some fills - I recall reading posts about this.

If I remember correctly, some external PDF printers have trouble displaying some fills (i.e. % fills) as they are supposed to be.

Barry.

Re: Published PDF Large Size

Lingwisyer — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 03:25:56 GMT

Yeah, some PDF printers will render % fills as distinct dot fills... They generally result in a lower file size though, which I suspect is due to actually flattening the file.