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Adding jpg balloons pdf file size

Rick Thompson
Expert
I have to just assume this is the way it is (but should not) be, but does anyone know of another option here? I send out plan files most days, and if they are too large I have to break them into different emails. Not desirable. A typical pdf size with out an added jpeg rendering on the cover is under 2mb. If I add a 724KB image the pdf explodes to 9MB. If I add a 122KB jpeg it still balloons to 3.6. How can this be?

thanks
Rick Thompson
Mac Sonoma AC 26
http://www.thompsonplans.com
Mac M2 studio w/ display
14 REPLIES 14
Hello Rick,

Did you try to optimise these pdf with Automator ?
http://www.agentjim.com/MVP/Automator/ShrinkPDF.html

I'm able to share my own script if you need it.
Christophe - FRANCE
Archicad Designer and Teacher
Archicad 15 to 27 FRA FULL

OS 11.6 Big Sur - MacBook Pro 2017 - 16Go RAM
"Quality is never an accident ; it's always the result of an intelligent effort" John Ruskin
Rick Thompson
Expert
I have not, but since I send them out all the time, I'd rather not involve an extra step as such. I just can't figure how AC manages to increase a pdf file size (saved via Mac print) 7MB when adding a 725KB jpeg.

thanks
Rick Thompson
Mac Sonoma AC 26
http://www.thompsonplans.com
Mac M2 studio w/ display
Rick wrote:
I'd rather not involve an extra step as such.

It deals with one right clic on your pdf file and 2 secondes after your pdf file is lighter.
Christophe - FRANCE
Archicad Designer and Teacher
Archicad 15 to 27 FRA FULL

OS 11.6 Big Sur - MacBook Pro 2017 - 16Go RAM
"Quality is never an accident ; it's always the result of an intelligent effort" John Ruskin
Rick Thompson
Expert
Thanks... I'd appreciate you sharing your scrip please.
Rick Thompson
Mac Sonoma AC 26
http://www.thompsonplans.com
Mac M2 studio w/ display
Hello Rick,

My script is in french because of my OS.
I've found this link in english : https://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-reduce-the-size-of-your-pdf-without-compromising-ima...

This is a screen capture of my very simply french automator script :


There are 17 PDF commands into Automator.
You are able to do a best script very easily !
Christophe - FRANCE
Archicad Designer and Teacher
Archicad 15 to 27 FRA FULL

OS 11.6 Big Sur - MacBook Pro 2017 - 16Go RAM
"Quality is never an accident ; it's always the result of an intelligent effort" John Ruskin
Minh Nguyen
Graphisoft Alumni
Graphisoft Alumni
Dear Rick,

Thank you for the report and I am very sorry about the experience!

I made some tests using Archicad 24, all PDF exports have the exact size of the added JPG images. Since JPG is a lossy compression format, could it be that the image you used was compressed, and it was "exploded" in the PDF? Also, how did you add a picture to your project: via Figure tool, or via Drawing tool?

Could you share with me the image you are using, as well as a sample of your working file to confirm this? Please let me know if you need a secure place to upload the file also.

Thank you very much!

Best regards,
Minh

Minh Nguyen
Technical Support Engineer
GRAPHISOFT

Rick Thompson
Expert
Thanks for looking into this. If you can PM me with an upload address I will get some files to you.

I used the Figure tool. I actually haven't seen how you could use the drawing tool?

The images were saved in Pixelmator, and saved at 2 different resolutions/sizes. I don't know how to determine if they were exploded?
Rick Thompson
Mac Sonoma AC 26
http://www.thompsonplans.com
Mac M2 studio w/ display
Minh Nguyen
Graphisoft Alumni
Graphisoft Alumni
Dear Rick,

Thank you for your request to this problem!

I have sent you a Private Message containing the link where you can upload your file to. Please let me know once it is ready.

Regarding the Drawing tool, you can drop an image in any 2D environment by clicking on an empty space > (select local file system or BIMcloud, depending on where you store the image on AC24) > browse to the JPG and click open.

Anyhow, I'm waiting for the files from you!

Best regards,
Minh

Minh Nguyen
Technical Support Engineer
GRAPHISOFT

Rick Thompson
Expert
I just uploaded the files. I do drag jpegs to the layout, and then it will open the figure tool if I click it, not the drawing tool, so maybe I am not following you here?

Thanks for your help and attention...
Rick Thompson
Mac Sonoma AC 26
http://www.thompsonplans.com
Mac M2 studio w/ display