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Wade_Zimmerman1
Inspiring
July 19, 2009
Answered

Extract Embedded Images…did you know that…

  • July 19, 2009
  • 4 replies
  • 86056 views

there is actually a feature in Illustrator to do this even though it is not called Extract Images?

Not only that once you extract the image you can update it as well  you do not have to lace it again and reposition it.

When I saw this and realize it was there I could not believe it as it has been asked so many times and there have been numerous work arounds.

The reason I think it has passed everyone by is that it is not located in the links panel.

So to the chase.

Edit>Edit Image

and then

Edit>Update Image

The former opens the embedded image in Photoshop

edit it there and then save it

then back in Illustrator go to the latter and it will be updated.

Never noticed this before.

The only draw back is that it seems to only work on one image at a time.

I wonder how many users here knew about this little feature?

    Correct answer _scott__

    Nicholas, where might I find this plug-in which I've heard has brilliant, Photoshop-like color controls for Illustrator's vector art as well?


    The really cool part is linked images can be edited by Option-Double-Clicking, just like Indesign.

    Doug,

    http://www.astutegraphics.com/

    Great plug in.

    4 replies

    W
    wazi9909
    New Participant
    November 4, 2011

    I think Adobe illustrator should have this feature included in the later versions. I wouldn't be happy to first buy an adobe suite, and then for a small tiny feature I need to buy another 3rd party software or plugin. This is pathetic.

      rijackson741
      rijackson741
      Participating Frequently
      February 8, 2012
      I think Adobe illustrator should have this feature included in the later versions. I wouldn't be happy to first buy an adobe suite, and then for a small tiny feature I need to buy another 3rd party software or plugin. This is pathetic.

      I'll second that. I just spent a couple of hours trying to figure out how to send an embedded image to Photoshop to edit it. After much time wasting it seems I am forced to conclude it's not possible. I find that astonishing. I have only just switched from Corel to Illustrator (CS5) and have found many things I like, but this a a glaring hole in the prtoduct.

      Larry G. Schneider
      Larry G. Schneider
      Adobe Expert
      February 8, 2012

      If you have saved the AI file with PDF Compatibility enabled, then just open the AI file in PS and check the images tab. This will allow you to open the embedded image in PS, modify and save it as a new file. Then just replace it in the original AI file.

      O
      olpr1234
      New Participant
      August 25, 2010

      An easy way to extract images from an illustrator is to simply save the file as a SVG file..

      When you choose save as svg, you can choose if the images should be links or embedded, and if you select links, illustrator will put the images in the same folder as where you save the svg file..

        N
        Nicholas_van_der_Walle
        Participating Frequently
        August 25, 2010

        An interesting method, but one which I fear would only support RGB. Illustrator embedded images can be bitmap (mono), grayscale, RGB, CMYK or multi-ink. Each of these can have an alpha channel - again something which would need testing with SVG.

        Another method would be to drop the file into Acrobat and then extract the image from there.

        We recently published an article on this topic: Last minute embedded image editing. Hope that's of some help too.

        A
        Anonymous
        August 25, 2010

        Nicholas, where might I find this plug-in which I've heard has brilliant, Photoshop-like color controls for Illustrator's vector art as well?

        PrepressPro1
        PrepressPro1
        Brainiac
        July 23, 2009

        I'm still using the workaround of saving out a PDF to open as image in Photoshop.

        Silkrooster
        Silkrooster
        Brainiac
        July 24, 2009

        Why not just relink the image if you want to edit the photo in photoshop?

        M
        MMazor
        Participating Frequently
        July 12, 2013

        What if you no longer have the image or it was sent to you by someone else already embedded?


        SOLUTION:

        Save the Illustrator file as PDF and drop it into File Juicer app to extract embedded content.

        W
        Wade_Zimmerman1Author
        Inspiring
        July 19, 2009

        False Alarm

        It is a plug in I have from Phantasm.

        OOps My Bad.

        N
        Nicholas_van_der_Walle
        Participating Frequently
        July 23, 2009

        LOL!

        Hi Wade - glad you found this feature of Phantasm CS Studio at last

        It's probably the tool I use on virtually every occasion with Illustrator. A further insight can found found in movie 13/13 on this page: www.astutegraphics.com/products/phantasm/

        However, if you have a multiple selection, it is typically possible that you can edit all embedded images in the selection in one go. This should also apply to updating the images.

        Hope this is of help,

        Nick

        PS - glad you thought it was an actual feature of Ai - we have worked hard to make all tools in the Phantasm CS range appear as if it's native to the program to improve usability.

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