Adobe illustrator CS4 freezes in OS 10.11.6 El Capitan?

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Level 1

15 points

Adobe illustrator CS4 freezes in OS 10.11.6 El Capitan?

I am using OS 10.11.6 El Capitan and when I start up a file in Illustrator CS4 the file shows, but the whole Illustrator application is frozen. Can't even move the window. So I have to quit the application. This only happened when I upgraded from the previous OS. I trashed the Illustrator preference (.plist). That made no difference. I trashed the Adobe font cache. That made no difference. Has anyone else had this happen? And if so, is there a work around?

MacBook Pro, iOS 10, OS 10.11.6 El Capitan

Posted on Sep 18, 2016 7:55 PM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

136,655 points

Sep 19, 2016 1:42 AM in response to susandf

More than likely Illustrator CS4 is not compatible with El Capitan and you would have to update it to a version that is.

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Answer 2

Leopardus

Level 4

1,303 points

Sep 19, 2016 7:28 AM in response to susandf

Check on www.roaringapps.com whether your programs are compatible with El Cap

HTH

Leo

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Answer 3

susandf Author

Level 1

15 points

Sep 19, 2016 7:31 AM in response to dialabrain

I wish I could upgrade CS, but with Adobe's subscription system, it just doesn't make sense (or cents) since I'm mostly retired. It's very expensive! So I keep trying to find work arounds every time I update the OS. El Capitan really fried me this time. Thank you for replying.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

136,655 points

Sep 19, 2016 7:36 AM in response to susandf

You're welcome. Someone may know of a workaround but I'm not aware of any. You may want to look at alternatives that are cheaper such as Affinity Designer.

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Answer 5

susandf Author

Level 1

15 points

Sep 19, 2016 8:11 AM in response to Leopardus

Ah, thank you for that link! I found one comment with something that worked for me (so far):

JeroenT • 9 months ago

Illustrator freezes if Photoshop is't already open, cannot import tiff but can import jpeg and had to install Java for it to work.

So I kept Photoshop opened and, voila, suddenly I could use Illustrator. Haven't tried placing a tiff, but then I usually use jpegs, and that worked. Strange. But, whatever does the job...!

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Answer 6

susandf Author

Level 1

15 points

Sep 19, 2016 8:17 AM in response to dialabrain

I've seen other people mention trying Affinity Designer, of which I've never heard. I'll look into that, although after using Illustrator for work projects for more than 20 years, it might be wonky. On the other hand, it might be easier! I wonder how many customers Adobe lost when they went subscription. I know of at least two people, my brother and myself. Thank you for the suggestion.

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Answer 7

Sep 19, 2016 8:22 AM in response to susandf

I expect that Affinity Designer may well fit the needs of many Illustrator users, just as Affinity Photo, or Pixelmator, may fit the needs of all but the most sophisticated Photoshop users.

There is a free trial, so I think it is a no-brainer: get the trial, put it to the test and see if it works for you.

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Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

136,655 points

Sep 19, 2016 8:28 AM in response to susandf

I'm glad you found a workaround. I use Affinity Designer myself as it suits my needs and is certainly cheaper. 😎

I know what you mean though. It's hard to switch from something familiar.

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