file changes when switching from linked to embed

[brian704]

I have a file with several linked files in it. I need to send it to another user. I was trying to embed the linked files, but several things within the linked file change when I do that. Some parts of the image get larger distorting the image. It appears that either some stroke widths are changing or some layers are getting larger.

I know there is a setting in preferences to have stroke widths scale when you scale an object. Could that be the problem?

Any easier fix than changing all the components one at a time?

[Mike_Gondek]

Not sure this has anything to do with linked inmaegs, but you possibly had this setting off.

Double click the scale tool, or go to your preferences to enable this setting.

Adobe for a very long time now has changed this setting off by default which makes no sense, as you rarely want that setting to be off. In Illustrator 8 this used to be ON by default as it should rightfully be so.

[brian704]

It is checked, I did look at that

[Mike_Gondek]

Was tha checked when you distorted the image. What is that fat tire created with a weighted stroke. If you need more help, can you post a copy of the file with dropbox or similar  showing before and after transforming.

[brian704]

Yes  - that has been checked all along. Many of the line weights changed  - not just the tires although they are the most obvious. the tire is just a circle with a uniform stroke.

[brian704]

I tried embeding the same file in a different file and had different but equally as disastrous results

[Mike_Gondek]

You are not providing enough information for anyone to help you. We do not know what scale amount you used, how your illustration is consturcted or any before or after values.

If you really want help you are going to have to provide better information.

[OldBob1957 · Accepted solution]

I have seen this a time or two with random files. I have never figured out what causes it, but I have found a workaround that often allows me to get on with the rest of my work (which is all i usually want).

Try this: Instead of imbedding, use Object > Flatten transparency. You might want to uncheck Convert Strokes to Outlines. This should have the effect of imbedding the file while (often times) not triggering the expanding stroke problem.

Good luck

--OB

[brian704]

In the initial image I posted the truck was about half the size of the original file. If i shrink the van in the original file, it reduces in size correctly. If I convert it to a png I get a read error when I try to open it in Illustrator, but it opens correctly in Photoshop. If I convert it to an svg the colors are not correct and some parts of the image are distorted.

Here is an image of before and after embeding from another file that also does not embed correctly:

The lower capture is after the embeding. Some, but not all of the strokes are missing.

[Mike_Gondek]

How is the truck/van constructed?

• vector paths
• linked .pdf, .aik, .eps file
• some linked  bitmap format file
• other

Can't really help  unless we know what you are working with. If you can post s sample with Dropbox, you will probably get an answer as you are  missing telling us basic information about what we need to know.

[brian704]

Everything was made in Illustrator. The tires are a circle with a uniform stroke applied. The other lines that changed are also paths with uniform strokes. I followed OldBob1957's advice and it worked as I expected the embed to work. The link was removed and the artwork looked the same after the flatten as it did before.

Still not sure why some paths were altered and others were not, and some strokes changed while others did not. They were all created the same way.