Can't save custom arrow heads

[ianHGA]

Env:

macOS v10.14.1

Illustrator v22.1

To create custom arrow heads, we're doing the following:

1. Opening the "Arrowheads.ai" file from within the Support Files folder
2. Opening the Symbols palette
3. Duplicating any of the arrow heads
4. Double clicking the new one
5. Making the required changes
6. Saving and closing the arrowheads document
7. Restarting Illustrator

The problem is when we get to point six though, Illustrator squarks with the following error:

Has anybody else come across this issue and found a work around?

[ryan_edwards]

when I open that file adobe kinda of hints at why...

[ryan_edwards]

and here's an older post on the forums, towards the bottom of the thread they seem to go into how to append/add new arrowheads to the mix

creating custom arrowhead or caps in Illustrator.

[ianHGA]

Hi Ryan,

We too found that article, but it seemed to suggest saving the Arrowheads.ai file, which is what we’ve been doing. It’s not very clear at all as although the instructions tell you how to create new arrows, they don’t offer any advice on how to save them for future use.

[ianHGA]

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for coming back to me, we had noted the text at the top but were following numerous articles on the internet that pointed to editing that file.

Are you aware of a way to add custom arrow heads without editing this document?

[ryan_edwards]

I just saw this in the thread I linked, might be worth a shot

[ryan_edwards · Accepted solution]

yes open you arrow file... open the 'symbols' pallete.. see them all... then drag in any 'new' arrowheads you make into that palette (the entire shape)

the thread I linked, people answer this

[ryan_edwards]

the only thing I can think from you error message is you are saving the ai file vs saving the symbols

[Monika Gause]

Of course you need to save the arrowheads.ai file, because it contains the symbols.

I wouldn't just save the file, but do File > Save as. And then don't save it to the same locaion, but save it in the plugin folder.

Since all those folders are inside the applications folder, they might be locked (based on your user privileges).

You might save the file anywhere and then move it to where you want it to be. Again: I would save it to the plugin folder. When Illustrator launches, it will first look in the plugin folder. If it finds an arrowheads file there, it will use that.

[ryan_edwards]

It worked for me the first time trying it.. it is the OP who has the issue.

My steps... find the arrowheads file (make a SAFE copy in the directory it is in, so you can edit the original.. no need to start saving it in other directories like plugins folder... that will only get confusing a year later trying to remeber where all you deviated rom adobe's structure)

Duplicate one of the prefab arrows in there, break the link.. name object something... drag it over to the 'symbols' palette (make sure the symbol type is a static link)

restart illustrator... and its there.  It is not a hard concept. Takes less than a minute

[Doug A Roberts]

Placing it in the plugins folder is what Adobe advises to avoid editing the original file:

How to apply strokes in Illustrator

To define custom arrowheads, open the Arrowheads.ai file, which is located under ShowPackageContent\Required\Resources\<locale>\ (for Mac) and \Support Files\Required\Resources\<locale>\ (for Windows). Follow the instructions in the file to create custom arrowheads.

Place the updated Arrowheads.ai file at: <Illustrator home>\Plug-ins\ and avoid replacing the existing Arrowheads.ai file.

[ryan_edwards]

Cool, but making a copy in the original folder works just as well too. Just down to how much you trust yourself with edits

I'm guessing since they stipulate that in the help file vs the source file they don't find it too explicitly important.

Is this what the OP was having hard time with?

[ianHGA]

We've upgraded all our systems so that Mac OS users don't have admin privileges.

Previous ways of working allowed people to just drop things into the applications folder and authenticate the request, we're now trying to find a way of achieving this without admin privileges as it's something our design team are doing quite frequently.

[kimi5]

ok.  doing what everyone says to do.

- save a copy of the original file elsewhere

- create new item(s) all black 0,0,0 grouped the heads/lines

- pulled copy into symbols palette and renamed

- write over the existing with new arrowheads in.

ALSO saved into regular plug-ins folder as well.

restart illustrator.  nothing.   just the same old 39 arrow caps...

too many instructions out there and all are missing pieces.  even adobe manual doesn't provide clarity...

help?

[Monika Gause]

kimi5  schrieb

ok.  doing what everyone says to do.

- save a copy of the original file elsewhere

- create new item(s) all black 0,0,0 grouped the heads/lines

- pulled copy into symbols palette and renamed

- write over the existing with new arrowheads in.

ALSO saved into regular plug-ins folder as well.

restart illustrator.  nothing.   just the same old 39 arrow caps...

too many instructions out there and all are missing pieces.  even adobe manual doesn't provide clarity...

help?

All you need to do is:

1. open the arrowheads file

2. edit it: add your new arrow

3. Save to the plugins folder and leave the original file intact. When doing further edits, open the file from the plugins folder.

4. Backup your edited arrowheads file in a safe place.

Please post your edited arrowheads file to Dropbox or the like, so someone can take a look.

[ianHGA]

It's the privileges that are causing the issue, unfortunately. Replacing the original file or going for the plugins directory seem to both request admin rights to do so.

[ryan_edwards]

oh I see you should mention that in your future posts... I have admin privileges at work and home so I have no constraints... tell IT to unlock your Adobe folder... kind of silly of them to have it locked off, if someone blows up any installs you can just re-download from the adobe creative cloud app (or have IT roll back an install)

Tell them you need full control of the adobe folder/any of the app installs

[ianHGA]

My bad on that front. It's me and my team that have implemented the changes; we're in the process of working through the teething issues and unfortunately this is just one of them. The software is installed by each user via a managed centre, we haven't explicitly set permissions its just inherited from the install process.

I was trying to get around having to have each individual machine configured with custom permissions but it looks like that's the only viable way to go.

[ryan_edwards]

No worries, that stuff is always so annoying in the heat of the moment of making content. [Press 'Go' and you get a 'Stop']

Sorry you gotta deal with all that