Avoid text converted to outlines when opening PDF

[brandon-sh]

Currently Adobe Illustrator automatically and arbitrarily converts text parts to outlines, making these parts not editable nor selectable.

It's not related to fonts, because that font is on my computer, and, other text parts that has exactly the same font are editable and not converted.

It's just because of the code point. For example, in term `∀𝑥`, the ∀ (U+2200) is editable and 𝑥 (U+1D465) is converted to outline. I really dislike this arbitrary behaviour. If compatibility is considered critical, the program should at least give an option to allow us the users to choose whether to convert them to outlines

[Bobby Henderson]

Most of the time when I import PDF files into Adobe Illustrator I use the File>Place command rather than the File>Open command. I'll keep the link box checked when placing the PDF file. That will keep any embedded fonts in the PDF intact. The Flatten Transparency dialog box can then be used to control how the imported PDF file can be converted into editable artwork.

[brandon-sh]

If not specify "link" option, it is same.

[brandon-sh]

Does this look like a flatten transparency dialog box? It does not change anything, 𝑥 is still an outline. But this time there is no hint.

 

[Monika Gause]

Usually when there are ligatures in the text, the line gets outlined.

It would be necessary to see the actual text, because this is not caused by the import options.

[brandon-sh]

Just a math formula. \forall x \in \doubleR, ∀𝑥∈ℝ

Reproduce step:

1. Open MS Word
2. Create new formula, type \forall x \in \doubleR and build the formula
3. Save and export the document to PDF using Adobe PDFMaker
4. Open PDF in Ai

Another notice:

• If directly open the PDF, only 𝑥 is converted to outline, see Fig. 1
• If use placing and flatten, all characters are converted to outline, see Fig. 2

[Monika Gause]

So it's that x that gets outlined?

PDF was never meant for editing. It was meant for presentation and output. Sometimes it's the only option, but then you get what you get.

[Monika Gause]

BTW: I'm using MacOS and this doesn't work at all.

When opening the PDF, the x is the only letter I'm seeing, because it has been outlined. 

Placing the PDF and then flattening transparency for me will be the only available option.

[brandon-sh]

So it's that x that gets outlined?

PDF was never meant for editing. It was meant for presentation and output. Sometimes it's the only option, but then you get what you get.

By @Monika Gause

I do need Ai to finetune and adjust the PDF, to output a PDF or SVG.

For my use case, PDF is just a vector graph format. The difference between it and svg is that PDF presents graph as is, whereas SVGs are often mis-interpreted.

It is OK that some parts are not editable in Ai, but converting to outline makes them unselectable forever, which is something that I cannot tolerate.

The key point is, Adobe Illustrator unilaterily and arbitrarily makes text parts in certain code points outlined while parts in other code points are kept, and while all fonts available. I do think there should at least be an option for users to control the behaviour.

[Monika Gause]

What are you referring to with "unselectable"? 

If you want to typeset math functions, I would recommend InDesign. It can do it natively.

[brandon-sh]

What are you referring to with "unselectable"? 

Literally whether the word can be selected in the PDF.

If you want to typeset math functions, I would recommend InDesign. It can do it natively.

I'm here to call for the behaviour change of Illustrator rather than asking for a workaround

[Monika Gause]

This is a community forum. 95% of people are not staff and giving you workarounds when the software currently can not do what you want is literally what most of us understand as their goal.

Bug reports go this way: https://illustrator.uservoice.com

[brandon-sh]

OK, thank you.

The post is at https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/499...