Can see multiple artboards in Thumbnail, but opens to one and can't see there are other in the file

[akdecke]

I have a document I did not create for our logos and it looks like in the Thumnail it's a file with multiple artboards. Great. Less work for me to do. But when I open it up, it opens to just one artboard and I can't see any other artboards or hidden artboards in the file. I'd really not like to start from scratch and have 20 different files. 

[Ton Frederiks]

Did you look in the Artboards panel to see if there is a large artboard behind the others?

Is it an Illustror document or a PDF that you opened?

[akdecke]

Hi! It is an .eps file that I opened. It's a series of logos with various color versions. I opened one and when I see the thumbnail both in Windows and in the Illustrator recent files, it looks like it's about 20 total artboards, but it only ever opens to one singular artboard. The artboard panel only shows one artboard. 

[Ton Frederiks]

That could explain it.

It is not the Illustrator file that you are opening (Illustrator can save an additional .ai file in an eps), but just the EPS. You will need to recreate the artboards and save as .ai

[atomic graphics]

hi! i came across this thread also wondering where are all the artboards from the preview? if they aren't in the file, why do they show up? (i am also opening the eps file in illustrator.) thanks!

[Monika Gause]

The preview in the OS is just an embedded image in an EPS. It might not reflect the current state of the file.

[Anubhav Majumder]

Hello @atomic graphics,

Thanks for reaching out. As suggested by Monika, the embedded images in the EPS files might not reflect the current state of your work on it. You may try using Adobe Bridge (https://helpx.adobe.com/bridge/get-started.html) to get accurate previews of not just EPS files but PDF, PSD, Ai, Id, RAW files, and many more.

Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Jan Heylen]

hello,

I like to work within one Illustator file with multiple artboards and use save as to generate multiple Illustrator files. I don't use Bridge to manage my files and I certainly can't force my clients to use it. One of my clients has a custom system where they use the embedded thumbnail to look at the files. By default the embedded thumbnail shows the original document with all the artboards. 

Why can't Illustrator just generate the correct thumbnail?

[Ton Frederiks]

Seems to work fine with 27.2. I used PDF compatible and save each artboard to a separate file.

[Jan Heylen]

hey Ton,

Do you use a Mac? Because I know Mac OS shows a correct preview of the file.

Its on Windows that the thumbnails are wrong.

[Ton Frederiks]

Yes, a Mac. I suppose that's it.

[Ton Frederiks]

And modifying (like moving an element and back again) and resaving these files again, would that work? A batch action could do that.

[Jan Heylen]

Yes, I made a little action that creates a shape and then deletes it again and and after saving the file has the correct thumbnail. I've been using this as a batch action and it works. But I do wonder why this extra step is necessary when it's something that could be solved with such a simple action script. When working with a lot of files it's a hassle to have to do that every time. Another thing: if you save the files on your Mac you will see a correct preview in the Finder, but send them to someone with a Windows PC and they won't see the correct thumbnail.  All reasons why I feel this should just be done when saving the file in the first place.

[Ton Frederiks]

Very strange that correct Mac previes change on Win.

You may want to do a feature request/bug report here: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/