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Sarah Insell
Participant
March 26, 2018
Answered

Illustrator, Vector files, etc.

  • March 26, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 1153 views

Hi all!

I'm fairly new to Illustrator, Photoshop, etc. I use Illustrator for work. Just logo design for our events. I have a logo that was sent to me that I need to edit. The sender says it's a vector file, but the extension says pdf. I've read that a pdf is a compressed? or flattened? vector file? However, I can't make the changes I need to make in Illustrator the way it is. How can I get this file into an editable format?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer John Mensinger

    PDF can contain raster or vector, or both in the same composition.

    Illustrator uses PDF as a native format of sorts, but only a PDF saved in/by Illustrator has that "native" characteristic (actually, it's a dual-format .AI/.PDF file.) So, if the PDF you were provided was created outside of Illustrator, or saved from Illustrator without Illustrator compatibility enabled, Illustrator won't open it in a ready-to-edit state.

    Editing non-Illustrator PDF in Illustrator is "unsupported," and does carry some risk of unknowns, but you should still be able to access the elements within.

    cassie.starling  wrote

    However, I can't make the changes I need to make in Illustrator the way it is.

    What happens when you try?

    If it selects as a single object, it's most likely in a clipping mask. Leave it selected and choose Object > Clipping Mask > Release.

    2 replies

    Anna Lander
    Anna Lander
    Inspiring
    March 26, 2018

    PDF is a vector file. You can open it in Illustrator. Generally, when the author saves it as PDF, the "Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities" option is On, so you can edit it in Illustrator.

    If you place it instead of opening, you need to embed it into your working file (Links panel menu -> Embed image) and then, if needed,  release Clipping mask and ungroup elements.

    S
    Sarah InsellAuthor
    Participant
    March 26, 2018

    I have tried this as well. After embedding the image, I was able to release clipping mask, but it still selects as one image. I can't ungroup elements.

    Anna Lander
    Anna Lander
    Inspiring
    March 26, 2018

    share please your PDF file, let us see the details to say something more useful.

    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    John MensingerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 26, 2018

    PDF can contain raster or vector, or both in the same composition.

    Illustrator uses PDF as a native format of sorts, but only a PDF saved in/by Illustrator has that "native" characteristic (actually, it's a dual-format .AI/.PDF file.) So, if the PDF you were provided was created outside of Illustrator, or saved from Illustrator without Illustrator compatibility enabled, Illustrator won't open it in a ready-to-edit state.

    Editing non-Illustrator PDF in Illustrator is "unsupported," and does carry some risk of unknowns, but you should still be able to access the elements within.

    cassie.starling  wrote

    However, I can't make the changes I need to make in Illustrator the way it is.

    What happens when you try?

    If it selects as a single object, it's most likely in a clipping mask. Leave it selected and choose Object > Clipping Mask > Release.

    S
    Sarah InsellAuthor
    Participant
    March 26, 2018

    It does select as a single object. When I go to clipping mask, it will only allow me to make. Release is faded out.

    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    John MensingerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 26, 2018

    cassie.starling  wrote

    It does select as a single object. When I go to clipping mask, it will only allow me to make. Release is faded out.

    It could be a raster image. With it selected, check the Layers panel.

    The image you posted doesn't help us identify (the makeup of) what is in the PDF. Can you make a screenshot with the object selected and the Layers panel in view?

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