Bitmap Gradients and File Size

[karim]

Are bitmaps used by the gradient tool serialized multiple times in the saved document? I ask because I have a drawing that has several dozen shapes with the same bitmap gradient fill, and the file is simply ballooning in size, far more than it seems could be accounted for by simply having that much vector geometry.

 

Are bitmaps used in this way serialized as "references" or is AD saving multiple copies of the bitmap into the file on disk?

 

If it's the former, is there something I can to do reduce the disk footprint of an AD file? And if it's the latter, is it something you might consider for future optimization, to include referenced bitmaps only once in the file data, with instance references throughout instead of copies of the data?

[Ben]

If it's a gradient on a vector path or shape it shouldn't increase the file size.  If you have created a bitmap/raster layer, then the file will be larger.  Also, if you have save history turned on, this will increase the file size considerably as it will store all the previous versions of the bitmap layer.

[karim]

It's a fill on a vector shape using the Gradient Tool in "Bitmap" mode, filling with a raster image. Where would I find the "Save History" option? I don't see it anywhere in the application preferences.

[Dale]

It's in the File menu Karim.

[karim]

Thanks. it's not enabled. I'll do some more digging... maybe I've got some phantom content in here.