Can't save file 'this file cannot be found' error

[csscms]

Hi There,

I've been working on a file for a cople of days that's on my desktop. Today I opened the file, made some edits and hit CMD + S and saw this error...

Things I've tried...

1. Copying the art into a new document and saving
2. Saving the new document to different disks (all local, no servers)
3. Creating a blank document with nothing in it and saving

Bascially, I can't save anything - has anyone else seen this?

Cheers

Ben

[csscms]

Bump.

[Monika Gause]

So no matter what you are trying to save and which name, you can't save it? And always that same error?

[csscms]

Thanks Monika, that's correct. It still happens even if I quit, reopen, create a new doc and try to save it.

Will try another computer restart when I'm back at work later this morning.

[markhedinger]

Same. Drives me crazy. This is my workaround, but it's always risky: Quit illustrator via the task manager. This will (most of the time) generate file recovery information. When I open illustrator again, I can save the recovered file.

Adobe pls fix this. Your prices are awfully steep considering you make your software worse and our work harder with every update.

[default36lx7ec50xyw]

This worked for me, but was definitely a roll of the dice

[Eyal Manuel Harel]

Thank you!

Same problem happened to me today and I was able to fix it with your great advice!

Thanks you very much 🙂

By the way, before I have quitted Illustrator via the task manager I've copied all of the content so if this won't work I will have a solution.

Thanks again 🙂

[RMDufour]

I've had the same problem for some time, and while it is (sometimes) possible to save as another format (eps has been good) we should not have to do so. Saving as a native AI file or PDF should be obviuos and effective.

ADOBE: FIX your damn problems; it's wasting all our time and increasing frustration.

[katherinereece]

Same here.  Happened a few days ago and now.  Created new file, added some shapes, file Save to a folder on my data drive, type in name and AI type same error.  Tried Save As same result.

[Monika Gause]

Where are you trying to save?

Does the file or folder name contain any special characters?

Is it very long?

[katherinereece]

The file name is Arches.ai

[Monika Gause]

Where are you saving? On a network?

Are there special characters in the folder names?

[katherinereece]

No, the folder is text no characters.  I had a file in the folder (on my hard drive) named arch.jpg, once I removed it from the folder I was able to save my AI file.  Very odd.

[Monika Gause]

That really is odd, but great you could solve it.

[terryk62]

I just started having the same issue, both times it was with the first file I worked on after opening AI.

Terry

[betsyg17920228]

Same thing just happened to me.  I was able to save as an .svg first then I tried again as an .ai and it just suddenly worked.  

[defaulto18enlpno3no]

That just worked for me - thanks!

[Stan de Wijs]

Thanks @betsyg17920228 ! Saved my day 🙂

The only downside is that when you work with multiple layers you'll now have only one layer with your previously created layers as groups inside. You'll have to release these back to layers and rename all layers back to what you had again. A little more time-consuming, but works!

Hope this issue will be fixed soon.

[chelseag85696284]

I know this is an older comment, but I just came across the post after needing an answer.  Just wanted to let you know, @Stan de Wijs, if you have a project with a lot of layers that you don't want to have to rename--try creating a new project and saving that as .svg, then see if you can save the one you were working on and cared about as a .ai and skipping the .svg step.  It worked for me; hopefullly it will work for others too!  

[aditim47363921]

That saved my 2 days worth of work! Thanks @betsyg17920228 

[Ben157F]

Holy moly! ctrl+s constantly!

[Sukarna5F95]

This worked! Thanks

[ANDREWKA+]

THANK YOU, saved my afternoon

[not.a.doctor.]

Thank you!  One of my students had this same issue and the SVG --> AI file thing worked!

[Tinkelbel]

Worked for me as well. First save as .SVG and hereafter as .AI again. I got this message after removing Adobe desktop apps in my local language and reinstalling them in the English languages. Another underlying cause might be that these files were prepared in an old Adobe version (before creative cloud).