Fresco No Longer Opening in Illustrator (Desktop or iPad)

[Lindsay239340779mno]

I have found several posts over the years on this topic, but there seems to be no proper solution.

In the past I haven't had any issues opening Fresco file in Illustrator on my desktop. Over the last two months, it has become near impossible.

My first work around was to export the files into Illustrator on the iPad, then open them on the desktop. This seems to work 80% of the time, but only with small to medium files. This, I should note, is when I convert layers into objects and not import hidden layers.

As soon as I go to do a larger file, it will continue to crash everytime I try to export, UNLESS I flatten my layers, which defeats the purpose of using layers in the first place. The only consolation is that the flattened image is still in vector format.

I should also note that up until two moths ago, I had no issues exporting larger files to Illustrator on the desktop. For example, I had one file in particular that I could export no problems every time. Now the same file will not export to desktop at all.

I have tried the logging out and in, but have stopped short as to using the Cloud Cleaner, as I've found no evidence that this is a solution. All of my apps are up to date, and both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

To be honest, I'm not expecting an imeadiate solution to my issue, rather I'm writing to say that:

1.  This is an issue that needs to be looked into properly, and needs not the copy and paste response that does not fix anything.
2.  If the issue can not be fix, there needs to be another way the files can be accessed / opened in Illustrator without compromising vector layers.

We, as Adobe users, pay monthly to use your products - I, myself, use them on a daily basis. Could this issue please be addressed properly, because I really do not want to look into alternatives, but not being able to export / open files for me to do the next round of edits in vector is damaging.

[Lindsay239340779mno]

The only consolation is that the flattened image is still in vector format.

Actually, in going into the flattened file, it was not in vector format, so even that is useless.

[Terry5C05]

This seriously needs to be addressed by the adobe team. I've been having this issue for years, with adobe draw and now fresco. sometimes it works, most times it says 'file sent' but nothing pops up. logging out of CC on thr desktop doesn't work anymore. the copy and paste responses don't work. I spent over 50 bucks a month to struggle hard with sending a basic file from fresco to my desktop. this seriously needs to be fixed..

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Terry5C05,

I am sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind sharing more details, like the exact OS/Illustrator/Fresco version on both devices, whether this happens intermittently, and with all files, and if there is a particular workflow when you encounter this problem, so we can investigate this further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Terry5C05]

intermittently but way more frequent than it doesn't happen. happening A
LOT more constant over the last month. like almost every time. I've been
updating as I need to so I have rhe most recent versions. no workflow to
trigger. it just doesn't work. on the iPad it says document sent but it
either never pops up on desktop illustrator or it takes 15+ minutes and I
have to restart sign out etc a whole bunch

[Kat22728606voxt]

I have had this problem too its so frustrating. Did you ever solve it?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Kat22728606voxt,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I tried replicating this behavior on my end but could not. Would you mind sharing more details, like the version of the OS/Fresco, device make/model and if Fresco behaves this way with all files, so I can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Krathke]

Hey similar problem here just started: I used to be able to create a file in Fresco and then export ai to Illustrator on iPad, but that suddenly stopped. I can still export to Desktop, but that's a significant work disruption. iPad Pro 4th generation, iOS 18.1.1. 

[sjf117]

I am having the same issue. Say the document is sent in fresco, but it never opens in illustrator. iOS 18.1.1. iPad Pro. It used to work fine, but stopped this week. I tried logging out and back in and also rebooted the iPad.

[mircuc35368655]

I am having the same problem here. At every export it says "File sent" but nothing happens. I need to sent the final work in .ai format. It's very frustrating bot being able to use the apps that we pay for properly, so Adobe, please do something asap. And please ask if we have latest version. It is obvious that this is the first thing we check. Do some real stuff to repair this. Thank you!

[mircuc35368655]

not being able*

please stop asking *

[defaultmf1ts7snl81x]

I've also been having this issue recently. Really disappointing, as my usual workflow for illustration/vector art is now disrupted. It would be fantastic if Adobe would actually do something about this, and maybe fix the random crashes and spotty save ability in Fresco too.

[GRIM Creates]

Having the exact same issue now too. Almost newly into 2025 and still no universal solution...Seriously considering continuing my artistic processes elsewhere. Since Adobe is letting us down once again. This stuff ain't free.

[Lindsay239340779mno]

Come back to see if there is any progress / legit response to this issue 6 months down the line, and nothing, just more users like myself who are having the same issues but with no resolution. At the very least, could we please have the option to open a Fresco save in Illustrator via Creative Cloud? If part of the issue comes down to file size, then this alone would be a game changer.