Exporting and Importing Workspace Settings

[Nesi4DigitalArtEDU]

Hello, I work in a k-12 school where we work with the Adobe Suite programs. I am trying to narrow down the tools and panels within the workspace to make it more manageable for my students to navigate and learn the tools. I have tried multiple ways to save the workspace, export it, and import it onto different computers that the students use with no luck. 

I have followed the instructions for exporting the workspace, but when we try to import the workspace document, we receive an error message stating, " File does not contain valid Illustrator Settings. Please select a valid settings file." 

I have also tried to copy the document into the workspace folder and modified the workspace folder under

~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator ( series #) Setting. 

It does not appear and will not work. I have also tried to open the document using the archive utility. This creates a folder for the document with multiple files contained, but when I try to upload this, it still doesn't work.

What am I doing wrong? Can anyone help me resolve this issue? It is very frustrating. 

[Doug A Roberts]

Can you share the exact file path you are getting the workspace files from, and if possible share one of them?

[Nesi4DigitalArtEDU]

It won't let me upload the document. Every time I go to Edit- Settings -Export Settings it creates a file without defining what kind of document it is.

When I click on the document It gives me the error 

"The document “Illustrator_WorkspaceSettings_MediaArts_2024” could not be opened. The file isn’t in the correct format. The file might be corrupted, truncated, or in an unexpected format."

However, when I right-click on this document and open with Archive utility, it creates a folder with lots of different files and folders. I can navigate to the document and when I click on this, it opens up a text with a string of command settings. It still wont let me upload this into illustrator. 

[Monika Gause]

After exporting that file, do you add a file extension? Or change anything?

[Nesi4DigitalArtEDU]

No, I don't change anything about the file nor add a file extension. It's like it doesn't export from the program as the correct file type to begin with. I have installed and reinstalled Illustrator to see if it would fix this issue but it does not. 

[Kim Calland]

I have just tested again on my machine with a new workspace and toolbar. After exporting as you did, I then used the Edit > My Settings > Import Settings... menu item and all worked fine. Trying to open or read the document from the saved location called the same error.

[Doug A Roberts]

You should just be able to place the workspace file in the correct folder. There's no need to open it.

[Kim Calland]

My personalized workspaces live in /Users/(me)/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator ( series #) Setting/(en_GB)/Workspaces. It's a simple .txt file 

When making changes to your preferences or workspaces, Illustrator will not save and update the files until you Quit Illustrator completely. Just to be mindful of that. 

[Monika Gause]

Did you already try and Edit > My settings > Export

ANd then Import via the same menu path?

[Nesi4DigitalArtEDU]

Yes I have done this already. It does not work. 

[Monika Gause]

Anyway: if you want to do it manually, here are the locations for the settings files: https://www.vektorgarten.de/illustrator-settings.html

[Nesi4DigitalArtEDU]

I will try this method. Thank you for the link.