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default1lsbdtmwqnuv
Participating Frequently
March 6, 2024
Answered

Cannot load swatch library files in Illustrator 28.3

  • March 6, 2024
  • 5 replies
  • 1478 views

After the past two updates (before 3/6/2024), I can no longer load swatch files. When I do, a dialog box appears warning me that illustrator could not completely open the file, and the file opens in a new window with a tiling message that reads:

"This is an Adobe Illustrator File that was saved without PDF content. To Place or open this file in other applications, it should be re-saved from Adobe Illustrator with the "Create PDF Compatible File" option turned on. This option is in the Illustrator Native Format Options dialog box, which appears when saving an Adobe Illustrator file using the Save As command."

 

This dialog box does not appear when saving a palette, which only the beginning of the issue. I can save th e document from which I am hoping to generate the palette with that option checked, attempt to load that document as a swatch library, and I get exactly the same issue. What is the intended workflow here? Is there a useful workaround?

    Correct answer Monika Gause

    Here is the dropbox link to one of the problematic swatch files. Interestingly, the bug manifests differently on a different computer, where a dialog box second box says says "File does not exist <file name>_<some numbers>.ai" after the one about Illustrator partially reading the file. Both computers are running the latest version of Windows 10 and are running Illustrator 28.1. 


    I can both open the file via File > Open and load it as a library

    Running Illustrator 27.9 on that computer.

     

    With the other computer (Illustrator 28.4.1) I can not open or load the file.

     

    WHen saving the file with the older version, it works again on the newer version.

    Does it work for you: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3cnmef5fwmww20se522nv/eqze_v3-MG.ai.zip?rlkey=zz0b4pfjr1bcby9zh7udvbflv&dl=0 

    5 replies

    Jatohniedan
    Jatohniedan
    Participating Frequently
    January 28, 2025

    I have this same problem, I cannot save and then open my swatches. Running 29.2.1 on MacOs. Any suggestions?

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 2, 2024

    Can you share these libraries?

    Upload them to Dropbox or the like.

    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    April 2, 2024

    Hello @default1lsbdtmwqnuv,

    We understand that encountering technical issues can be frustrating. Would you mind sharing some more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, a public link to sample file(s) after uploading to Dropbox/Google Drive etc., and a screen recording of the problem (https://adobe.ly/3Ubgs2Z), so we can investigate this further?

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

     

    Thanks,

    Anubhav

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      default1lsbdtmwqnuvAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      April 2, 2024

      Here is the dropbox link to one of the problematic swatch files. Interestingly, the bug manifests differently on a different computer, where a dialog box second box says says "File does not exist <file name>_<some numbers>.ai" after the one about Illustrator partially reading the file. Both computers are running the latest version of Windows 10 and are running Illustrator 28.1. 

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 2, 2024

      You may want to contact Adobe support, they can have a look into your machine:

      You can ask for an agent here: https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html?rghtup=autoOpen

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 6, 2024

      How do you load the libraries, 

      using the Swatches panel menu > User Defined

      or using the Swatches panel menu > Other Library?

      The message you get only appears when placing files.

      D
      default1lsbdtmwqnuvAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      March 6, 2024

      I have tried this using both methods; the message appears in both cases.

       

      It may be that the message is only intended to appear when placing files; I can assure you I am not placing files and I am seeing the message.

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      default1lsbdtmwqnuvAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      March 6, 2024

      I should reiterate that these are for swatch files that *I* have saved using the "Save Swatches" dialog in Illustrator 28.3 (i.e. the same version in which I am attempting to load them). The built-in presets load correctly. 

      D
      default1lsbdtmwqnuvAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      March 6, 2024

      I should also add I attempted this workaround for a similiarly-presenting bug : https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/saved-pattern-files-color-swatches-are-broken/td-p/13794853

       

      But that this did not resolve my issue as none of my items use cloud storage.

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