Fonts changing in files when opened in Illustrator 29.5.1

[Lavish_coder1549]

I've experienced this twice now, both times in the last month. I design beer labels and I'll often open an older label and use it as the template for a new one. When I open the older file (an .AI file), it will load, and most of the live text will have switched to a different font arbitrarily. Some fonts switch to OTHER typefaces that exist in the same document, others switch to different weights of the same font, and still others switch to defaults like times and myriad.  Some of the switched fonts are stored locally, and others are served via Adobe Fonts. The file does this consistently even after I've restarted illustrator and restarted my computer. 

I've attached a screenshot of one of the files with its original fonts (from an outlined version for print), as well as a shot with the changed fonts.

Has anyone else experienced this?

System:

2022 Mac Studio M1 Max

MacOS Sonoma 14.6.1

Illustrator v 29.5.1

[fluke-d]

The bug persists on Macs - it hasn't been fixed.

[fluke-d]

When I first realised this was a problem was opening a set of archived files from last year. All of them opened and displayed the correct fonts in the latest version of Illustrator. I identified the file I wanted and did a 'save as' to my desktop with no changes being made to the file. I then closed all of the files and opened the newly saved version which now had the fonts changed and the tracking incorrectly displayed.

My operating system, fonts, and any other software running at the time were the same for all of this, indicating to me that the problem is caused by Illustrator when files are saved. The error is baked in to the new file – opening it in an older version of Illustrator has no effect. However, the tracking snaps back to the correct setting with the incorrect font in Illustrator 2024 (which is what I am using now).

I can reopen the original file and it will be correct and I can open the newly saved version and it's incorrect. Both are open at the same time in the latest version of Illustrator. I am effectively opening two identical files – the difference is one was saved in the latest version and one wasn't.

It's not consistent – I can repeat the above process and the new file will be fine, do it a few more times and it will happen again. I have had a similar problem making some amends to a file and just saving. The problem is you can't tell the file is wrecked until it is saved, closed and reopened and by then it's too late.

[Timur342771060g07]

Same problem here, I need to spend another day just to fix all the fonts on 14 labels that have a lot of text information 😞
Adobe Illustrator has had lots of bugs lately; maybe it is time to start learning CorelDRAW (Go back to the Stone Age) 🙂

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Timur342771060g07,

Our team has requested additional info. Could you kindly share a link to a sample file with this problem after uploading it to a file-sharing service, so that we can check it on our end?

Note: While sharing the link, kindly ensure it is set to Public and the option for Save a Copy/Download is enabled.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[JodyRadzik]

You guys (Adobe personnel) don't appear to understand that this is commercial work on proprietary files that cannot be shared publicly. Real, live businesses and individual consultants are being deeply affected by the complete lack of quality control that Illustrator suffers from now. Trust in the product is evaporating with every new update because they now bring horrific consequences with their use. It's not up to us to lose more time providing examples of how poorly your product works now.

[blairr20152766]

Agreed! The problem has been well documented in this thread; now fix it!

[katc60712215]

Here is the link to the files that I am talking about... it is with WETRANSFER and it is set to anonymous...

https://we.tl/t-NAdZUhJluZ

ADOBE TEST FILES<>
2 files sent via WeTransfer, the simplest way to send your files around the world
we.tl


Let me know if you need anything else.



Kat Ciccotelli :reminder_ribbon:

IT Communications Manager

NHM, Inc. | New Home Media

(Located in Stafford County)

[personal info removed by moderator]

[Randy_111]

Maybe this will be the magic file that has all the anwers for the clueless Illustrator team!

[thebronxdaddy]

LOL. This bug is totally getting out of hand. When will we ever get a fix?

[M S V]

good news

I have downloaded illustrator beta 29.9 and 30.0
The problem seems to have finally been resolved with both versions

[M S V]

hi

I have something new about this issue

I have a file made with Illustrator 29.2 and modified with 29.7 on another mac

if I open the file on my mac with 29.8.1 and save with a new name it is all ok 

but

if Illustrator is closed and I double clic the file or I use right clic open with

so Illustrator starts opening the file and save with a new name

after reopen the new file the fonts are switched permanently

you can download the file here

https://www.marcovaccaroli.it/ftp/test.ai

so you can try if you have the same result

I hope this can help to solve the problem

[Randy_111]

Maybe go back to 29.4, some people have reported the fonts correct themselves.

[bwatel]

Happened to me last week with 26.1. and it was extremely agravating. You can loose a client on that. I reverted to 2023 which my printer uses to process client's files because it is stable. I used it for a couple of days and no more font problems. But the old issue with tooltips not displaying with short cut was another waste of time. I went back to 26 (NOT 26.1) an all has been working fine and stable for now 5 days. Note that when you go back to 26 it won't update automatically to whatever new version comes up, which is a good thing.

[bwatel]

I've just been told about Figma that seems to be a good alternative to Illustrator. I haven't tried it yet. Anyone has?

[thijs5272]

I have a good experience with Affinity! Much cheaper also: https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/designer/

[William.Keffer]

A última atualização fez com que as fontes dos meus projetos fossem alteradas, não preciso nem dizer as centenas de horas que precisaria para corrigir todos eles. Queria saber se há algum movimento para corrigir este absurdo.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @William.Keffer,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Our team is aware of this problem and is currently investigating it. Could you share a link to a sample AI file you're having trouble with, so we can check it on our end?

In the meantime, please try installing an earlier version of Illustrator (https://adobe.ly/4ly9pf3) and let us know if it helps.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[William.Keffer]

Eu retornei a versão antes da atualização, "apenas" o último trabalho que estava desenvolvendo desconfigurou todas as fontes. Atualizei novamente e continuou apenas o último trabalho desconfigurado. Perdi 6 horas de trabalho para modificar todas as fontes. 

[k9tag]

Lorenzo & Fluke,

Below, in the first attachment, Lorenzo states pretty definitively that the devastating random font substitution issue has been fixed ON THE MAC with Illustrator version 29.7.   Fluke, another MAC user in the second attachment is saying that the devastating random font substitution bug is still there in Illustrator version 29.7 on the MAC.  Any other MAC users out there?   What is your reality?  

On the WINDOWS side it still boggles the mind why Adobe doesn't just throw out any updates or feature additions to Illustrator since version 29.4, and JUST START OVER!!!!   Changes that you made to the Adobe Illustrator software to create versions 29.5.x, 29.6.x, 29.7.x have introduced a devastating bug that is costing your loyal customers time, money, and reputation with their clients worldwide.   You are well aware of the devastating bug that exists in Illustrator in the versions listed above, and you continue to encourage your customers worldwide to download and use these versions on their PCs.  Is that not the exact definition of the basis for a class action lawsuit?

SCRAP ALL OF THE CODING WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE ON ILLUSTRATOR SINCE VERSION 29.4 AND START OVER WITH ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM.   I CAN WORK BLISSFULLY ALONG IN ILLUSTRATOR 29.4 WITH NO FONT SUBSTITUTION BUG. 

REMOVE THE OPTION TO DOWNLOAD 29.5.x, 29.6.x, 29.7.x, 29.anything.x,  OR YOU WILL INTENTIONALLY BE INFLICTING A DEVASTATING, COSTLY BUG ON ALL OF YOUR CUSTOMERS, AND I CAN'T SEE HOW THAT CAN END WELL FOR YOU.  

[Lorenzo MENHIR PACKAGING]

For me, after testing several files, version 29.7 on macOS seems to have resolved the issue — at least with the documents I used for testing. Fonts remain intact when reopening.

That said, judging from other reports here, it looks like the bug can still occur under certain conditions that I haven’t been able to reproduce. So while it appears fixed on my end, clearly the underlying problem hasn’t been fully eliminated yet.

Given the seriousness of this issue, I think it’s crucial that the product team digs deeper and ensures the fix is consistent across all scenarios, not just some cases.

[fluke-d]

I opened a backed up file I first had issues with and resaved it in 29.7.1 (save as – no changes made to the file) and had the same issue when closed and reopened – the fonts were changed and the tracking did not display correctly. It doesn't always do it – sometimes I would have to repeat the process many times before it changed the fonts. It was exactly the same with the previous versions – it would happen randomly, but it would eventually happen. Obviously, it should NEVER happen. Maybe the most recent update causes it to happen less often for others, but I'm not taking the risk.

I won't be able to share the files – this professional client work.

[katc60712215]

I have sent these files before. You have 3 days to download.

PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE!!! YOU ARE COSTING OUR COMPANY LOTS OF MONEY WITH THIS ISSUE!
LOST ARTIST TIME TO FIX THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES OVER AND OVER AS CLIENTS MAKE CHANGES.
WE PRINT SIGNS ON 1/2" THICK MDO BOARDS AND 1/4" THICK METAL 4'X8' SHEETS!!

Here is the link:

https://we.tl/t-B4oanGS5s1


93271_DRHorton_TheGranaryAtDraperFarm_ContructionSign&Directionals_SKETCH.pdf<>
2 files sent via WeTransfer, the simplest way to send your files around the world
we.tl




Kat Ciccotelli :reminder_ribbon:

IT Communications Manager

NHM, Inc. | New Home Media

(Located in Stafford County)

[personal info removed by moderator]

[Anubhav M]

Hello everyone,

We are sorry for the trouble. We are having debug sessions for this issue with the product team, as we are unable to replicate the issue on our end. Would it be possible for you to have a debug session with us? If yes, please share your Adobe email ID, Phone number with country code, preferred time & day for the meeting, your timezone, and country & state you live in over the DM only.

I will be looking forward to your response.

Anubhav

[Randy_111]

Your only now admitting you can even replicate problem? How many weeks has this been.

[k_takase]

I understand that documents saved with fonts already replaced in Illustrator versions 29.5 through 29.6.1, where this issue occurs, cannot be restored. My testing confirmed this, and opening them in lower versions such as 2024 does not restore the fonts.
I suspect the "fixed" in version 29.7 only applies to documents that do not fall under this category.
The document opens in the same format as the preview displayed in Adobe Bridge.

Adobe's explanation and announcement were insufficient. By "fixed," does this mean that documents with replaced fonts will be restored to their original fonts in version 29.7?
If the behavior is as initially described, this issue will continue as long as there are users using versions 29.5 through 29.6.1.

In Japan, Adobe employees rarely respond to questions in the forums, and there has been no progress on this issue. I posted here in the hope of finding a solution.
*Please note that the text may contain inaccuracies due to translation. We apologize for any inconvenience.