Questions

I keep trying to export my artboard to a pdf and it just says cannot export. The file name does not have any special characters in it. I previously was able to export it. Why won't it let me now? 

I'm a beginner, and I have this design idea I am struggling with for some reason - like my brain won't visualize how to create the effect. I want to make like a lined art number 3 (eventually multiple numbers). I made an initial shape I want cleanly, but I am stuck on making the companion bits so that the whole thing is smooth/clean/cohesive. Will attach an image of the rough idea (red) and my shape (blue)

I have a group of simple shapes with gaussian blur applied. I have used a rectangle to clip the edges however this does not work at all. You can see where the blur is showing beyond the rest of the artwork’s edge below after exporting as PNG. Using Adobe Illustrator 29.8.5. 

Is there a bezier warp tool that will allow me to distort and group of objects by dragging corner handles independently to distort the entire group at once?  Specifically, I have some long rectangles to form stripes, and I want the pinch the whole group at once end and widen it at the other. I also want a slight arc in the whole group, but I was able to use the warp tool with a giant brush to add a slight curve to the whole group, however it doesn’t have a way to do the rest that I need done. Thanks! PS - Can i “apply” the Envelope Distortion so I can further edit the objects? Thanks again!

I have a number of labels created for client in illustrator and now he wants them translated to Spanish.I thought the easiest way would be to take My Illustrator PDF open in Acrobate and select Translate. Which then converts to Adobe Express (it doesn't like text effects and attributes, and have to keep the layers below 200). After trial and error and removing the effects and attributes I was abel to get the Adobe Express conversation o be correct. Then translate that file. But the conversion also changes all the text alignment and breaks a text block into single lines of text that flow too far. My question is: The this still the best solution knowing that I will have edit the translated file in Illustrator to copy and paste single lines of text back into the text boxes so it can be rescaled and reflow correctly and also reply the text effects and attributes. This process has worked very smoothly for a simple text document but seems to be too much for a label design. I've att

I have been receiving files with a white background, which can be set to transparent within the artboard panel dropdowns. When I create a new artboard, the default IS transparent, however when I do so through scripting, it shows up as white.Are there any options to set either the background color of artboards that currently exist, or create a new artboard with a transparent background? From what I’ve read, artboard color is unavailable in the DOM, I’m wondering if it follows similar read only logic of a new document. //Test a new artboard in the current documentvar newAB = app.activeDocument.artboards.add([0, 0, 500, -500]); 

I seem to remember being able to just duplicates selected points on a path, but Illustrator simply duplicates the entire object. I’m using the direct selection arrow to select the points and then option to drag and duplicate.  Running current version of Illustrator. Thanks!

I was working on a 100 page document with mainly simple vector stuff (no complicated fills or brushes). I shut down for the weekend. Monday morning I restart my work and about 70% of all the work has gone. But it's random. Outlines gone on some pages, not on others. Contents of full pages (50 or so pages) gone, with only the frame and page title still there. 8 sketches on one page are ok - with just one sketch in the middle gone. Line sketches gone, leaving just the solid colour fills. Just completely random. It would have taken me 20 minutes to have selected it all and deleted it.In 30 years on illustrator, I have not seen this problem. Corrupted files that wont open, I have seen. But not this random missing stuff. Original document was 830 mb. The bad doc is now 200 mb.Luckily I use apple time machine. So I have a backup from Friday end of the day. Which I have picked up again. All seems fine.So is this just a bad document ? Corrupt preferences file? It's now deleted - but I dont wan

Please see the video: Dropbox - AI deletes asset.mov

I have an iPad Air 13 inch (M3), iPadOS 26.3.1 (23D8133).  The issue that I am facing is illustrator continuously crashing every time I try to open a file, or send a copy of a file from fresco & photoshop, to illustrator. It works on the very odd occasion, but 99% of the time it will just crash once I click ‘OK’ on the import options. This is extremely frustrating as it makes the illustrator app practically unusable, and causes major delays with my work. When I first got the iPad nearly a year ago it worked perfectly, however after one of the updates to the illustrator app maybe around end of last year, it has been doing this. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app, I have updated iPad software. Nothing is working- please help! note: something that helps occasionally to get a file to open is to open it, and then before selecting ‘OK’ on the import options, waiting for 5-10 minutes. This sometimes works, but again this is hugely impractical.

I frequently save large, high resolution PDF imposition pages from Illustrator for digital printing. These pages contain multiple linked PDF files. Using a PDF preset, these pages have zero image compression and they do maintain Illustrator editing capabilities. These pages have typically ranged in size from about 1MG to maybe up to 20MG and I have saved tens of thousands of these files over the years. Up until late 2025, this method worked flawlessly, however with one of the newer Illustrator updates, now when I save a PDF using the same standard preset that’s worked for many many years, the size in 10X larger than they would normally have been. Something changed in the latest version(s) of Illustrator. As a workaround, I have to reopen the same page(s) in Acrobat and simply re-save it, which then shrinks it back to the size it would normally be. I never had to do this until late 2025.This is not an issue with maintaining Illustrator editing capabilities, or removing artwork compressi

Something changed with the color palette in late 2025. I frequently change CMYK values by selecting the art and then clicking in the CMYK sliders in the color palette. Normally I can key-in the values and simply tab from C to M to Y to K, but now as soon as I hit the tab key, all the fields go blank. I’ve been adjusting color this way for decades and now it doesn’t work. I’m currently on version 30.2.1 on Mac OS.

I am considering buying a new laptop before I move into a university dorm, and given that I will be prusuing a BA in animation, I expect to be spending more time using Adobe apps like Illustrator, After Effects, and Animate. I want to know if there’s a good Windows 11 PC out there that can handle all 3 of these without slowing down.

I am raising this as a serious issue affecting production workflows in Illustrator 2025 and newer.When dragging artwork into CC Libraries, Illustrator is incorrectly calculating bounds. Instead of using the selected artwork, it appears to include artboard dimensions and or pasteboard offset. This results in: Large empty space around assets Artwork appearing very small inside the Library thumbnail Inconsistent behaviour across files Unreliable asset reuse across documents This is not caused by: Stray points Hidden or locked objects Guides Clipping masks The same file: Works correctly in Illustrator 2024 Exports correctly using Export Selection Only fails when added to CC Libraries in newer versions This isolates the issue specifically to the CC Libraries workflow.For those of us managing hundreds of assets, this is not a minor inconvenience. It breaks the ability to build and maintain a clean, reusable asset system. Workarounds such as clipping masks or rebuilding files

I have a Corel Draw file and I open it in Illustrator, but it doesn't work. Is there a way to solve this problem?

Hi y’allHere is the thing :Converting a stroke into a shape is not a problem from the Object menu > Path > Outline strokeBut when I try to do the same via the Appearance panel > Effects > Path > Outline stroke there is no visible result. Same with the menu Effects > Path > Outline stroke…The line stays a line.I would love to learn how these appearance effects workIf you have any clue feel free to shareThxDidier 

The Adobe Illustrator (Beta) version that supports Microsoft Copilot+ PCs (Snapdragon ARM processors) works however my 3rd party Astute Graphics plugins that I pay an annual subscription for are not support. They stated the reason for this is their plugins are only fully tested in release versions of Illustrator. I know a standard or release version of Illustrator is in the works for Snapdragon ARM processor machines, do we have an ETA? I rely heavily on Astute Graphic plugins for my job.

How do I get Adobe Illustrator to open? I have not been able to run Illustrator properly since updating to Mac OS Tahoe 26.3. Illustrator ( both 30.2.1 and 30.1) Open to the splash screen or What’s New screen and then gets stuck / beach ball and then I have to force quit. Iv’e uninstalled and even when back one version. Anyone else having this issue? 

Dear Adobe Support Team, I hope you're doing well. I’m reaching out to report a performance issue with Adobe Illustrator 2025 on my new Apple Mac mini (M4). Despite the hardware capabilities, I’m experiencing frequent lag while working—particularly with large files, during zooming/panning, and while using tools like the Pen Tool and Effects. Here are the system details for your reference: Device: Apple Mac mini (M4 chip) macOS Version: macOS Sequoia 15.5 Adobe Illustrator Version: 2025 RAM: 16 GB Storage: 256 GB I’ve already tried some basic troubleshooting such as clearing preferences, restarting the system, and ensuring the app is updated to the latest version. However, the issue still persists. Could you please advise on any settings optimizations, patches, or known compatibility concerns with the M4 chip? Your guidance will be appreciated. Thank you in advance. Best regards,Miheer Moghe[personal info removed by moderator]

here an example 

hello.. im try, try, try convert a adobe ilustrator presentation template in keynote presentation, but no way!!! can you help-me please?

I just updated from Illustrator 2018 to 2019. Everything is working fine... except I want to change "General" units from points to inches. It does not remain in inches. The next time I open a file, it's back to points. Any ideas? I'm on a Mac, by the way. Thanks so much!julie

I have received a few PDFs from clients and when I open them up all I see is a white screen. When I change the view to OUTLINE I can see the artwork lines etc and even when I elect the artwork elements I can see the colours (in the swatch area) - I've attached an image but its very strange.  Any ideas?  I’ve tried exporting as EPS and same effect 

Hello, I recently got a new 2024 Macbook pro 16" base model, and have downloaded Creative Cloud with Rosetta and then downloaded AI 2026 through CC. I have exported various circles of different stroke colors from Rhino to Illustrator. I am trying to change similar stroke types as I have many times before on my previous computer with no luck (Select > Same). I have created an entire new file and created different rectangles of the same stroke and attempted to Select > Same. In both instances the entire Select > Same menu is completely grayed out (see images attached). 

Hi all,I’m trying to build a workflow in Adobe Illustrator using Symbols where I can reuse a single symbol across multiple instances, create different colorways for each instance, and still keep the stroke weights consistent and linked to the original symbol.Context (Fashion / Technical Flats):I’m a fashion designer using Illustrator for flat technical sketches, where:Linework (stroke weight) needs to stay 100% consistent across all colorways The same garment or detail (pockets, trims, logos, etc.) is reused Multiple colorways need to exist side-by-side in the same file Files need to stay clean for tech packs and production handoffIn this context, symbols seem like the ideal tool for maintaining consistency, but colorway control becomes an issue.What I’m trying to achieve:One symbol (shared geometry and stroke weights) Multiple instances on the artboard Each instance can have a different fill color (colorways) Stroke weights remain identical and tied to the symbol (not manually edited