[OS X TeX] file size after eps to pdf conversion

[Gary L. Gray]

On Dec 19, 2009, at 8:13 AM, Themis Matsoukas wrote:

> In converting eps files to pdf, I was amazed by the enormous difference in the size of the pdf file depending on the method used:
> 
> Original EPS graphic (AI CS3 file):  2.5 MB
> Saving as PDF in Illustrator: 1.8 MB
> Dropping EPS on Preview.app: 764 KB
> Dropping EPS on Texshop: 172 KB
> 
> ... and the prize goes to Texshop. But a factor of 10(!) difference in size is beyond comprehension. Is Adobe evil?

I may be wrong, but it is my understanding that complete editing information is preserved in the PDF files created by Illustrator. If you open one of those PDF files converted by Preview or TeXShop, you will see that the original layer structure, object structure, etc. is all gone. If you wish to edit the file later, that is important to have. Of course, if you only edit EPS files, then go with the smallest file size that still looks acceptable.

-- Gary