Illustrator CS6 will not save files. Unknown Error has occured

I just came across this problem when doing prep for prepress. We got an Adobe CC AI file, and I didn't have any problems initially saving to another filename for a backup. When I started correcting some of the art in the file - (aligning graphics, replacing a die-line template, etc,) and I tried saving the file - I got the "Can't Save... error".

I tried several things suggested here and nothing worked.

I looked at all the links to the AI file, and notice that there were some very weird blank "embedded" art objects in the file (not linked - but embedded) - that did not show up anywhere in preview. I went to the links palette - selected each object by using the "Go to Link" icon, and then proceeded to delete each embedded graphic. After I did that - I tried to do a "save as..." to a new AI file - and IT WORKED!

Hope that helps.

Leo

i had the " an unknown error occurred " and i solved it by finding out that it was a corrupted font..

I couldn't save the file, so i lost everything i designed.

• delete the font you are using and install it again. open your file and check if it wants to save again. and save it on a other name for safety.

this was my problem on the unknown error.

Hope it helps someone..

Saludos

R

I have found the solution for this mess. The answers about saving without the "Create PDF Compatible File" is correct.

Steps:
1. Save your current work if you have one without "Create PDF Compatible File".

2. Close Illustrator
3. Download a new Adobe PDF/Acrobat Reader if you have one, otherwise download it anyway.
4. Reopen your previous work or create one with the "Create PDF Compatible File" is turned on.

I hope this may help you!

You must save with creat outlines of all fonts in your work space, it's work on my pc

I have had the exact same issue - I re-saved my native file as a different name and it seemed to fix this problem.  Though I can't say this works all the time.

"I ended up tracking it down to a path deep inside a distortion mesh that had no fill, no stroke, and nothing showing up in the appearance palette, yet was still marked as having some appearance effects applied to it; I hit the 'clear appearance' button in the appearance palette and was able to save just fine."  Egypt Urnash‌

I have a file with many objects, and I tracked my problem down to a similar issue.  I deleted then hit Undo for each group until I found the culprit.  There were several paths within the group that showed they had appearance attributes (by the gradient-filled target indicator in the layers palette), but only two paths had transparency - the rest were just "false positives."  They did have fills, though, so I couldn't use the Clear Appearance button without having to recolor everything.  What worked for me was Object > Expand Appearance.  This cleared all the false appearance indicators without actually clearing transparency where it was applied, and I was able to save the file.

I'm not sure why this was suddenly a problem, as this group is a fairly old illustration. I am currently consolidating my generic illustrations into files (e.g., cellPhones.ai, laptops.ai, etc.) so I can find them quickly in a pinch, and this particular group has been saved in this file before without problems.  The only thing I can think of is that I am also changing all the files to RGB from CMYK - just out of personal preference - so maybe that confused Illustrator.  You know how easy it is to confuse Illustrator!

I had this happen this morning. My file had nothing complicated in it - no meshes, text, clipping masks, etc. It was just some simple icons I created. I couldn't find any solutions on the web so I checked here and found this thread.

i'm newbie here. please give a guide...

i have get quick solution about this. it maybe happen because of the text in the file. it happen to me.

the solution:

1. select all the text in the file. Select>All

2. change text to outlines. Type>Create Outlines

3. save. Files>Save

hope it will help.

source: Using Adobe Illustrator How to Convert Text to Outlines

i tried many solutions above and no one can solved it .. i just installing it a moment ago and test by adding 1 box and 1 text but as usual the ilustrator cant save in .ai or .eps and .tiff what should i do ?? i just able to save to jpg etc .. but thats file cannot be modified again in later times

going on frustated ... it so confusing and take a whole time to get no answer

I had this issue today and was running for a deadline, the stress it caused was insane.
I drove to my brother's place and he was able to do the following, which HAS WORKED and so far I can save multiple times:

1. Open Terminal:  Navigate to /Applications/Utilities and double-click on Terminal.
(The Terminal comes with OS X but if you're running OS 9 then you'd have to upgrade to OS X before looking for Terminal. If you are running Jaguar (OS X 10.2) then the Terminal app will be in the /Applications/Utilities folder as previously posted. If it is not there, then it has been deleted. In which case, you'll either need to obtain a copy from another Mac system, or repair your OS X installation.)

2. When Terminal opens, type in the bold bits below so it looks like this:

Users-MacBook-Pro:~ user$ cd library

Users-MacBook-Pro:library user$ open .

3. A window will then open, find a folder called "Preferences" and open it

4. Then find the folder called "Adobe Illustrator CS3 Settings" (or whichever adobe version you have)

4. NB: Now quit Illustrator, and then drag that "Adobe Illustrator CS3 Settings" folder into the trash (no need to empty trash)

5. Re-launch Illustrator, you will see a new folder "Adobe Illustrator CS3 Settings" will appear in the terminal window that you just dragged the folder out of.

Adobe Illustrator can then be launched, and it should then work, and be able to save.

Repeat if the error message crops up again.

All thanks to my brother, love that guy.