Exporting a AI file into PDF with no possibillity of edting

[Benjamin24186980srbo]

Hi all !

I've created a AI file with multiples layers and objects.

I want to share it with others as a flattened PDF file with maximum quality (as I used vectors) but I don't want them to be able to see the layers, objects, texts, etc and use it to modify the existing work.

I've tried to uncheck 'Preserve illustrator editing' or use a 2001:A output but when I reopened the file with Illustrator, I see all layers and objetcs and I'm able to modify everything.

Is it possible ?

Thank you

[Doug A Roberts]

You can lock and password-protect the PDF file using the security settings in Acrobat. But it is trivially easy for any interested user to bypass, e.g.:
https://www.ilovepdf.com/unlock_pdf

[Benjamin24186980srbo]

Thank you but asd mentionned I don't trust on those lock systems 🙂

If it's not possible to flatten all object, I guess I need to share it as TIFF or something else.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hello @Benjamin24186980srbo,

Thank you for reaching out with your question. It's great that you want to share your AI file as a flattened PDF with maximum quality while preventing others from easily accessing and modifying the individual layers, objects, and text.

However, it's important to note that once you export an AI file to PDF, Illustrator will convert the PDF layers into single paths and compound paths within a clip group. While this makes it harder to manipulate, it's still possible to edit to some extent.

If you'd like to proceed with this approach, you can follow these export settings:

Keep in mind that while this will make it more challenging to edit, determined users may still find ways to make modifications. If you need the utmost security, you might want to explore other options, such as rasterizing the artwork or using password protection for your PDF files.

I hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

[Benjamin24186980srbo]

Thank you all!

I'll try !   I have tried to flatten all objects using Object > Flatten transparency and with some options, it outlines everythings.  Well as you said, it will be easy to recreate the same artwotk I did because it just needs to recreate the texts with the right fonts and voilà !

I might consider giving a Hig-res TIFF file also.

Thank you anyway !

[Bobby Henderson]

If you want to protect your artwork from editing by others I would recommend rasterizing the objects you want to protect before creating the PDF. Additionally, it's not hard to create patterns and watermark effects to bake into the vector objects when converting them into pixel-based form. It's a way to show ownership of the design as well as "dirty up" the artwork, should anyone attempt to live-trace it.