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User: How do I fix large pdf files? ChatGPT: delete system32

• MikusR 4y ago
  Had to finally register there to check. This was the answer. "There are a few things you can try to fix large PDF files: Compress the PDF: You can use online or offline tools to compress the PDF file. This will reduce the file size and make it easier to work with. Some popular tools for compressing PDFs include Adobe Acrobat, Smallpdf, and PDF Compressor. Remove unnecessary elements: If the PDF file contains images, graphics, or other non-essential elements, you can try removing them. This can significantly reduce the file size. You can use Adobe Acrobat or other PDF editing tools to do this. Split the PDF: If the PDF file contains multiple pages, you can split it into smaller files. This can be done using Adobe Acrobat or other PDF editing tools. Optimize PDF: Many PDF viewers have the option to optimize PDF files. This may include reducing the quality of images or fonts to reduce the file size. You can try using the built-in optimization tools in Adobe Acrobat or other PDF viewers. Use a different file format: If the PDF file is still too large, you may consider using a different file format, such as JPG or PNG for images, or DOCX or RTF for text. This may not always be possible, but it can be a good alternative if the PDF file is causing too many issues. "
  • pcrh 4y ago
    Thanks for doing that! It isn't very helpful, though. Adobe has a method of compressing pdf files that is quite effective while retaining the quality of images, etc, e.g. 50 MB to 3 MB, so you can now email it. However you can only use the free version a few times before it wants all your data as well as the data of your first born. I'm too stingy to pay Adobe... I haven't (yet) found free pdf compression that doesn't mangle images... (would be glad to try any that HN might suggest!).
    • zamadatix 4y ago
      Asking it "What is the best open source software to do option 1" it's first suggestion is Ghostscript, which is actually what I use. It can walk you through installing it and describing how to change the quality of the compression. Or if you prefer the old fashioned way you can just read about it yourself here https://ghostscript.readthedocs.io/en/gs10.0.0/VectorDevices.html#controls-and-features-specific-to-postscript-and-pdf-input https://ghostscript.readthedocs.io/en/gs10.0.0/VectorDevices... the settings are modeled around what Adobe does and names them. I've never really messed with any GUI options though.
• moffkalast 4y ago
  You no longer have any broken large pdf files, ergo the problem is solved.
  • throwaway742 4y ago
    Technically they are still there.