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

[G. C.34684083a2u4]

I have the exact same problem. I tried opening it with Adobe 2024, but the same thing happened.

I hope you fix this soon, as it affects tons of projects and the workload.

[k9tag]

G. C.34684083a2u4 - Files started in or duplicated from any version beyond Illustrator 29.4 are potentially HOSED,. Any files created or saved with any version after 29.4 should be avoided.   Files originally created in 29.4 or any previous version of Illustrator will be fine, and will not experience the deadly random font substitution bug that Adobe has been unable to fix thus far.

[Emily35406990kzha]

This is happening to me too!!! It happened once, and I thought it was some freak thing, but now it's happened again and I'm really frustrated. See attached 2 files. A is how it was originally designed and how it appears in Adobe Acrobat. B is how it's re-opening in Illustrator. 

Can I have a de-bug session too?

[ALE_PINEDA]

This happens to me also. It's driving me crazy! Please help, I can't work like this!

[sharah_0072]

I am having the same problem. I recently installed Adobe Illustrator en/ar version, because I needed access to the Arabic font direction text options. I don't exclusively work on Arabic documents, but had several projects come in, so had to switch over.

I've  only seen this issue on artwork files that were made in previous versions  of Illustrator, and the font switch is inconsistant - not every instance is replaced, but definately enough instances to make it very irritating. I work in an FDA regulatated enviroment, and fonts swapping without any notification is completely unacceptable. 

[John24472726qybf]

Same. I just had this happen to me for a second time (the first time was a few months ago). They are food packaging designs with several different fonts, and in both instances, Illustrator changed all of the fonts to different fonts. And not just the weights or to a default font, but to any other font in my library that it arbitrarily decided to grab. And like you, some of the fonts are local fonts that we own, and some are Adobe fonts. I use Extensis Connect as a font manager. I'm wondering if there is a bug (possibly in the plugin) with how Extensis Connect works with Adobe Illustrator (?).

[G. C.34684083a2u4]

I'm using Extensis Connect as well, and though it could be something about the plugin.. 

[sharah_0072]

My company is not using Extensis, so that makes me think it may have more to do with something in the Adobe software itself.

[John24472726qybf]

Does your company use a different third-party font manager software? 

[Lorenzo MENHIR PACKAGING]

Just to clarify for those suggesting this might be related to Extensis Connect (or other plugins): that’s not the case.

As noted in several previous replies — including my own tests — the font substitution issue occurs even on clean installations of Illustrator with no plugins at all. The only consistent variable is the version number:
29.4 and earlier → no problem
29.5, 29.6, and even 29.7 in some cases → fonts randomly change on reopen

So this is definitely not an Extensis (or third-party plugin) issue. It’s a core Illustrator bug, and a very serious one.

[B-Planit]

I worked with Extensis when this first started to happen, and it is definitely not an Extensis Connect fonts issue. I installed the fonts locally and removed the Extensis Connect fonts completely, and the issue continued to occur. Since downgrading to version 29.4, I have not had any of the font substitution issues. Common Adobe, own up to this and fix it!

[fluke-d]

I'm using Connect as well – the problem only occurs after saving files in the new versions of Illustrator. I have got the original file (saved before this problem) and Illustrator always displays the fonts correctly. I can have the original (correct fonts) and the newly saved version (incorrect fonts) open at the same time, so my guess would be it's an Illustrator problem.

[JodyRadzik]

Noting for all that we've had the issue while using Apple's Font Book app. This is an Adobe problem, and now it's our problem as we are unable to use the software we are paying monthly for.

[nicko96979348]

I can confirm the issue also occurs when using Right Font, font software.

[fluke-d]

Still happening in v 29.8.1

[Skeetawk]

Just had this problem today with version 29.7.1 (2023 MBP M2 Max, Sonoma 14.6.1)

Fonts are all from the document itself but have "jumped" all over the place. So for simplicity's sake of describing the issue, the title was Garamond and the body was Helvetica. Now everything is Helvetica but if it was bold before, now it's regular, and vice-versa. Across the entire document. Quitting and re-opening doesn't fix it.

[fluke-d]

I don't think there is anything you can do once the file is saved and this problem manifests itself. The error is baked in to the file now – opening it in an earlier version won't help. Adobe should pull these versions – who knows how many people have saved and closed documents over the past few months without knowing their work is ruined. It's been going on for months and Adobe are aware of the issue but still these versions are available for download. I'm not interested in 'user-requested color and snapping enhancements', generative bleed, AI, or most of the things being added to this software – I just don't want hours of work ruined when I save and close a document.

[John24472726qybf]

Agreed. If they would stop with the new bells and whistles for just one year and focus on nothing but bug fixes for the next version, a lot of their customers would be much happier. 

[fluke-d]

They should do a proper product recall on this software – it seems irresponsible to not make everyone aware of this devastating issue.

[JodyRadzik]

You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, Adobe has a monopoly on professional vector-based graphic design tools. Adobe Illustrator is it. Thus, Adobe can easily afford to be as arrogant as they've demonstrated through this episode. Designers worldwide have lost time and money due to this complete product failure, but that doesn't matter to Adobe. They are after students, hobbyists, and scrapbooking moms now, professional graphic designers be damned.

[fluke-d]

I still miss FreeHand – up until Apple silicon I was using it. Even though it's 20+ years out of date it's still so much better than Illustrator in lots of ways (find and replace was perfected and colour / tint management is so much better). We can thank Adobe for killing FreeHand as well – bravo!

[AbbyMorgan]

I have the same issue with Illustrator 29.6.1 changing fonts while a file is open. (Apple M2 MAX, Sequoia 15.4.1) 
SUPER FRUSTRATING.

[Avatardesign]

I still have the same problem (using Adobe Illustrator 29.8.1). It's not only a nightmare but a real problem if you use similar fonts and maybe you don't notice that before sending the final project. I'm really worried about this issue and the responsabilities we asume. Please, fix it quickly!

[Stuart BDM]

Thanks, good to know. I'm stuck with 29.4 now and all the annoying selection bugs that seem to be part of that shoddy build. I too do font critical work for print that has the potential to cost a lot if I send files that have the wrong fonts. We're trying to be professional and Adobe you're not helping us. Anyway, at least I'm not having to double check every piece of type on a project now.

Adobe - you should hang your heads in shame over the fiasco that is Illustartor. The ONLY thing we really want as professional users is reliabile predictable functionality. Time is literally money when you're a self-employed designer and you cost me more than my monthly subscription in wasted time every month.