Export of vector drawing to Illustrator does not work

[Elena L.]

Exporting vector drawings from Fresco (iPad) to Illustrator has always been very glitchy, but lately I am having major difficulties to the point that it just does not work any more:
The option of "Open a Copy in Illustrator Desktop" stopped working completely, it just says each time "Export Failed". And when I try to open a copy of my fully vector drawing in Illustrator on iPad it converts 90% of my vector layers to one big rasterized image... only few of the vector strokes remain vector... 

Suuuper frustrating and making my workflow simply impossible.. 😞  

Any suggestions how to fix it please?

And what is going on with Fresco, seems its becoming more broken with each update?! 

[Elena L.]

After having a closer look, it seems that yet again the problem lies in clipping masks. It seems that latest update of Fresco "broke" the correct export of clipping masks into Illustrator and instead it rasterizes now any layer where clipping mask is present. 

Important note here is that it was working more or less fine before version 5.0 came out. I used to be able to export vectors with clipping masks included without any major issues, but it stopped working now... again... 😞

Please fix this issue asap!

[everettep47276230]

I'm having the same issue.  Vector is the reason I use Fresco rather than something like Procreate.  I use it for my business and it's very frustrating when it quits outputting to Illustrator.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Elena L.,

We understand that technical issues can be frustrating. Would you mind sharing a link to a sample cloud document you're having trouble with (https://adobe.ly/4bFYPxN) so that we can check it on our end?

Note: While sharing the link, kindly change it to Public and Enable the option to Save a Copy under the Link Settings.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Penstreken]

I'm having this problem with every file, since the last update. Export to illustrator desktop doesnt work, I'm not using clipping mask. I only use vector brushes. Tried to log out and in again, on fresco and illustrator and adobe account. I also need this for my work, it really needs to be fixed, it seems like a problem that comes back frequently... 

[mariangelb]

I have the same problem.  I need to fix it please!! The option of "Open a Copy in Illustrator Desktop" stopped working completely, it just says each time "Export Failed". I tried everything and the problem does not disappear. I need this for my daily work. Help!!

[yama100a]

早急にメールは停止してください。

[jg4208]

I'm having this issue still. I was able to export a few vector files but now it's just stopped all together. It's very frustrating when it interrupts my workflow. Please fix this issue asap. I've been using another program outside of adobe because of this issue. 

[lil_2104]

Why does adobe play like they don't know about this issue in every forum. This problem dates back to 2019 in forums and I pay money for illustrator iPad for ONE reason. Because you guys won't let people export vector files from fresco. And now I got all this line work I can't export as a vector cuz I can't get it into illustrator. This is why people pirate adobe products 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @lil_2104,

I'm sorry to learn about the issues you're having while exporting your work from Fresco to Illustrator. Could you please confirm the versions of the OS/Fresco installed on your iPad and computer, so I can assist you more effectively?

Additionally, try logging out of the Creative Cloud desktop application on your computer, then log back in, and attempt to export to Illustrator on the iPad from the Fresco app, saving the file, and then opening it on your computer to share your feedback.

I look forward to your response.

Anubhav

[abbyw17782954]

Having the same issue and need this for daily professional work as well. Please fix this ASAP, Adobe!

[Kat22728606voxt]

Hi- did this get resolved ? I have had the same issue for a while. I now have to send file to iPad illustrator, then airdrop to Mac- it exports to my download file, can then be opened in desktop illustrator. It's a long way round. It was so simple before. 🤦‍:female_sign:

[frankg33041177]

Yeah - did this ever get fixed?! This is a pretty epic fail. My whole process is now broken. 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @frankg33041177,

We understand that encountering technical issues can be frustrating. Would you mind trying to update Fresco/OS on your device and the computer to check if it helps? Also, try signing out of Creative Cloud on your desktop and then sign back in to relaunch Illustrator and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[mehaksinghal]

Same issue

[Marta5D94]

I was having the similar issue: I created a vector illustration in Fresco with clipping masks (in vector!) to add depth. Exported as PDF and opened in Illustrator and all layers that were vector clipping masks in Fresco were turned into images in Illustrator ( no, I did not click "flatten the artwork" when opening PDF in Illustrator)

So I did what someone recommended in another thread: went back to Fresco, released all clipping masks (took a while as it's a very complex illustration), exported as PDF again and opened in Illustrator and went to make clipping mask on each layer that was previously a clipped vector layer in Fresco but it all got messed up and totally not a result I originally had. 

I spent hours and hours creating a complex vector illustration in Fresco (the reason why I love Fresco is for it's vector capabilities) and now that I wantd to clean up the file and make it ready so my client has it ready to be printed on apparel, I have this issue! So frustrating. Would appreciate some assistance how to solve the issue 

[Marta5D94]

Did you end up solving the issue and if so, then how please?

I was having the similar issue: I created a vector illustration in Fresco with clipping masks (in vector!) to add depth. Exported as PDF and opened in Illustrator and all layers that were vector clipping masks in Fresco were turned into images in Illustrator ( no, I did not click "flatten the artwork" when opening PDF in Illustrator)

So I did what someone recommended in another thread: went back to Fresco, released all clipping masks (took a while as it's a very complex illustration), exported as PDF again and opened in Illustrator and went to make clipping mask on each layer that was previously a clipped vector layer in Fresco but it all got messed up and totally not a result I originally had. 

I spent hours and hours creating a complex vector illustration in Fresco (the reason why I love Fresco is for it's vector capabilities) and now that I wantd to clean up the file and make it ready so my client has it ready to be printed on apparel, I have this issue! So frustrating.

Would appreciate some assistance how to solve the issue 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Marta5D94,

I understand your frustration. Fresco is a hybrid app that works with both vector and raster elements. However, masks in PS & Fresco behave more like raster effects, which means vector layers with masks may not convert cleanly into Illustrator. You might need to create your designs in Fresco without masks and then apply the clipping masks in Illustrator.

If you need to keep your illustration fully vector in Illustrator, the best approach would be to avoid using clipping masks in Fresco. Instead:

1. Create your base vector shapes in Fresco without masks.

2. Export as a vector format (like PDF or use the send to Illustrator feature).

3. Reapply the clipping masks in Illustrator.

I know this isn’t ideal, but it aligns with how Illustrator handles true vector artwork.

Best,

Anshul Saini

[everettep47276230]

That doesn't explain why Fresco won't open the file to Illustrator for Desktop at all.  Sure, I can open it in Illustrator in my iPad and then open it in desktop from the cloud, but it used to work to just send directly to desktop.  I haven't even been using any clipping masks at all, so it's definitely not that.

It randomly started working again sometime since last May when I added a comment to this thread, but has quit working again.

[Anshul_Saini]

Thanks for reaching out again, @everettep47276230. I understand how frustrating this issue must be, especially when it disrupts your workflow.

We have investigated this multiple times, and here’s what we found:

• Sending files to Illustrator Desktop relies on Apple Push Services to transfer them via Creative Cloud. Apple’s backend service occasionally encounters issues that can temporarily break this functionality. When this happens, the problem usually resolves itself with the next update.

• This could explain why it worked for you in May but has stopped again. Unfortunately, since this depends on Apple’s infrastructure, it may intermittently affect file transfers.

Regarding the clipping mask issue, that reply was meant for another user (Marta5D94), who experienced vector layers converting to raster when sent to Illustrator Desktop due to the presence of clipping masks. Since your workflow doesn’t involve clipping masks, that issue is separate from what you are facing.

While we understand this is frustrating, we recommend keeping your apps up to date, as fixes often come with the next release. Please let us know if you experience any further issues, and we’ll do our best to assist you.

Best,

Anshul Saini

[pecko77]

To follow doesn't fix anything but I do have a workaround and the info may help towards finding a solution for any Adobe staff that may read this:

I recently converted from a PC (Windows 11) to a Mac Studio M4 Max. My workflow was the same as many in this thread - create in Fresco on Ipad Pro, then open the file in Illustrator for Desktop for further use. This worked seemlessly and instantly, even with large files. However - since changing desktops - when I apply the same work flow with the exact same files, I have a delay of about 3-5 minutes before Illustrator starts on the desktop. Sometimes longer. Then when I'm asked to make a selection on how I wish to convert the file, I hit enter and Illustrator crashes. Tech Support was unable to resolve the issue. I tried uninstalling CC and all apps on both devices and reinstalling them, but no success.

The work around is to open the file in 'Illustator on your Ipad' rather than 'Illustrator for Desktop' in Fresco. Once it opens, close it. Now launch Illustrator for Desktop and the file should be there in 'Your Files'.

Really hope this is fixed soon. This workflow was a game changer.

[Fancy_navigator2750]

Thank you so much for this! I was able to save/export a .ai file using your workaround.
Adobe: please come up with a better fix for this. it would suffice tyo just have a "save as .ai" option in fresco.

[Leanne32350969pxxl]

Thank you! Like many others I was having the same issue and your workaround helped perfectly!