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Timothy5EF8
Participant
September 25, 2020
Answered

PDF Compatible File in Illustrator save option.

  • September 25, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 1011 views

Whenever I save an Illustrator file, there is always the "Create PDF Compatible File" option. What does this mean and what happens if I turn the option off then save the file without it?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Monika Gause

    Please check out this video about saving files in Illustrator and what goes into the PDF part: https://youtu.be/IpDh8Y7q8yE

    3 replies

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 26, 2020

    Please check out this video about saving files in Illustrator and what goes into the PDF part: https://youtu.be/IpDh8Y7q8yE

      Ashutosh_Mishra
      Ashutosh_Mishra
      Inspiring
      September 25, 2020

      Hi there,

       

      Thanks for reaching out. I agree with Doug. With Create PDF Compatible File turned on, Adobe Illustrator saves a PDF-compatible file inside the native Adobe Illustrator file. Adobe Acrobat—and similar PDF readers—understand this file. The PDF compatible file is also editable as Doug mentioned already.
      You may read this article for more information about this. Hope it helps.

       

      Regards,

      Ashutosh

        Doug A Roberts
        Community Expert
        Doug A RobertsCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 25, 2020

        It means Illustrator writes two files into the AI file 'package': an AI file and a PDF. Many external applications can only see the PDF; for example it enables you to preview the file in your OS, or see it linked in InDesign. If the AI file is damaged in some way, occasionally the PDF part will still be intact and to some degree recoverable (but perhaps not exactly as you constructed it).

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