Skip to main content
W
Whimsical_Coconut8244
Participant
January 28, 2025
Question

Saving as a Copy to PDF flattens the layers on the original ai file and then copys the layers on-top

  • January 28, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 449 views

Hi all, 

I am relativly new to illustrator so maybe im missing something obvious in the file saving settings,  but my work consists of importing a architectural drawings as pdfs, and adding various layers for different layers. The issue i keep running into is whenver i save my i file as a copy pdf it messes up the original ai file by flattening all the layers i have added hile also placing them on top of the drawing for a second time. is there a way to avoid this? i keep getting various messeges pop up about linked file changes when opeing the files to see these issues. 
I am saing my files on a shared google drivebut i am the only person working on the files. My thought process was to save the file im working on as the ai file and when im finished the first revisioon i will save a copy as a pdf for markup, but when returning to the ai file to edit after the first revision that is when the issue occurs. 
any advice is appreciated, thanks!

1 reply

Anna_Lander
Community Expert
Anna_LanderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 28, 2025

Hi,
do I understand you well? You Save a copy, and it changes your original file?
Could you please show the screenshots:
- the layer structure of any working file (the artboard is not necessary, just the Layers panel)
- the Save a copy window
- the Pdf settings window
- the layer structures of the PDF file and the original AI file after saving a copy.
Of course, it makes sense to create a copy of an original file (via Save As command) for experiments.
With the screenshots it might be possible to say something useful.

W
Whimsical_Coconut8244Author
Participant
January 28, 2025

Yes i save a copy of my illustrator file as a pdf, then when going back to my illustrator file a day or so later it has changed.
I have messed around with saving the file and pdf settings in hopes of fixing the issue with no luck as of yet. 

here is the current PDF screen

The layers stay the exact same, except all the layers of the original get flattened onto the first layer, while the other layers remain the same.

 



W
Whimsical_Coconut8244Author
Participant
January 28, 2025

Forgot to upload the save copy screen. here it is.

 

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices