Participant

Question

Editting an existing .AI file

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
May 9, 2017
2 replies
2350 views

I am very new to AI and have an existing restaurant flyer in .AI of which I want to modify it. I am an expert in many MS products but need some quick tips to get me started with modification of this AI file using AI.

When I open the file it shows as an 'image' and embedded. I want to selection the hours of operation and revise it, how do I do that?

Thanks, so much!

Judy

This topic has been closed for replies.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

You are writing "image" in quotes.

Did you do that because there's "image" in one of Illustrator's panels or boxes? Or because you can't describe it in a different way.

This is important, because perhaps the content of the file is a clipping mask or the like.

jwells63Author

Participant

When I open the .AI file is goes into isolation mode showing the whole page as one image that if I try to select something it is the whole page.

If I exit out of isolation 22 layers show which are unlocked but the page is still shown as one image.

Nothing is editable it is still showing the one layer as an image

At the top there are two boxes with one showing image and one showing embed.

I need to edit a lot of prices and content on the page but can't seem to select anything individually to edit.

In other tools (MS tools or Visio) and files I know to use the selector arrow to highlight an item and then use the text/type to edit it but I can't get this file in AI to allow me to do that. Is there someone I can call to help me? Once it is editable I will be fine.

Thanks, Judy

J

jdanek

Inspiring

Make sure the Layers are unlocked. Use the selection tools in the tools palette ( black or white arrow ) to "select" the text. To revise text, use the Text tool ( looks like a "T" ) to highlight the text and just type away. Unless the artwork and text are locked, unlock all ( Object > Unlock All ). Post a screen shot of the file here. Also, do a "Select All" ( command or control "a" ). Then take a screen shot and post it here. I'd be interested to see what type of file you are dealing with.

jwells63Author

Participant

Layers not locked.

Objects not locked

It seems as though the previous person made the page one image?

Thanks, Judy

J

jdanek

Inspiring

jwells63 schrieb
The guy that did the original file said he own the file even though we paid for the work to be done and requested all the files. He begrudging gave us this one.

Depending on what kind of licence you bought from them, he might be right.

When paying him, you usually don't buy source files. You don't buy the files, you buy the printed result.

If you want a template file, you will have to explicitely demand that when contracting someone.

Addition: When editing this file you might even violate the copyright. You'd better negotiate that and review the contract you made with the designer.

I agree with Monika. If you want the original file for editing, you will have to ask for a price to "release" the file to you with limited rights or exclusive rights ( you will have to negotiate ). The person could still say no, then you are left to fend for yourself. Or, a deal could be struck for a buyout. But, as Monika says, many people do not realize that when they pay someone, they should have a written agreement or a contract that states exactly who owns what. This is often overlooked in the process of doing business.

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