Hi everybody ! (and sorry for my english)

When I try to save as pdf my svg files (13 to 22 mb in .svg), inkscape crashs. If I try to do a virtual print with pdf creator, same thing. That problem occurs only when the file is big (more than 10 mb in svg).

What can I do ?

(I want to transform the files in pdf in order to put them in Indesign. I absolutely want to keep a clean file so NO export in jpeg or png.)

Thanks

Welcome to InkscapeForum!

The source of this kind of problem (usually) is the amount of memory (RAM) available to the system you're working on. If you can find someone who has....gosh, for a 22 mb file....at least 6 to 8 gb of RAM, or maybe even more, depending on the other system resources. I have seen some very kind forum members, who happen to have the resources, offer to make a conversion (or whatever simple task) for other members, if it's a one time deal. But if you have several files, or if it's a long term project, maybe you know someone with a large system?

You must not have created these files originally in Inkscape....or at least on this same computer, or you would have been plagued with crashes as the files grew towards their final size. But there's one thing you can try while you have the file open in Inkscape. File menu > Vacuum Defs. That will get rid of any unused data in the file. If the files were professionally made, I would guess that their original creator has already done this. But it's certainly worth a try. Watch the status bar as you click, and it will tell you how many defs were removed

PS -- Oh, I just remembered....vaguely....but you could search the forum. Someone else was working with a ridiculously large file, and finally managed to do whatever it was. But I don't remember how, or even if it was a PDF conversion.....but I think it was. All I really remember is the hugeness of the file

Yeah vacuum Defs is a good tip but I have already done it when I wrote this subject. Finally, I have just put the design on an other inkscape file (basicaly ctrl+c ctrl+v on an other sheet) and the 20mb files changed in 4mb file ! Really strange (all the lines were conserved). I don't understand, but it's really a good tip for persons in my case.

And now the save as PDF works except that some of my pdfs are uncompleted (two files: lack of about 10 lines, 1 file: there are just some dots on the sheet) but there are no error messages. Someone knows how to resolve it ?

These files were originally made on autocad, printed in pdf and opened in inkscape.

Interesting! I have no idea what might have happened. Could there have been some hidden embedded files, or something like that?

I'm not clear what you mean by the files being uncompleted. You said at first that all the lines were conserved, but then later you said that 2 of the files lack 10 lines. Maybe you're talking about different kinds of lines -- lines as paths, or lines of text??

No, the lack of lines occurs when I did "save as pdf" from inkscape.

The .pdf with this problem are generally 4 times bigger than the files that are okay. I said that there is a lack of lines in the pdf but it's an error, it's just that acrobat reader needed about 30 seconds to show all the lines (and I have just seen that today)! I have just done a virtual print from acrobat with pdfcreator and the .pdf printed became 4 times lighter...
Now, everything is okay, I am working well on Indesign on 2 A0 of 2 Mb each composed only of lines and text ! GREAT !

Thanks for the help, I hope my problems will help some ...