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Participant
December 8, 2021
Question

how to edit a PDF file in illustrator thats been saved as an ai file

  • December 8, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 301 views

I exported a tech pack from google sheets format as a PDF file.  Then I opened the PDF in illustrator, saved as an ai. file, but cannot edit the 2D sketch.  What do I need to do to edit the sketch?

The original maker won't send the original file the 2D sketch was created in.

I am trying to figure this out so I don't have to trace the sketches from scratch, want to save time.

 

Thank you 🙂

 

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1 reply

John Mensinger
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 8, 2021

There's no telling what type of constructs may be present. You, with the file in hand, are in a much better position to investigate, while all we here could do is guess.

quote

Then I opened the PDF in illustrator, saved as an ai. file

 

That won't change the contents of the file, or their nature.

quote

. . . but cannot edit the 2D sketch.

 

What happens when you try?

quote

What do I need to do to edit the sketch?

 

It depends; you may not be able to edit it in Illustrator. Can you select it? If so, take a screen shot with it selected, and the Layers panel in view, then post it here.

 

Participant
December 8, 2021

Hi John,

 

Thank you very much.  Attached is the screen shot of the selected sketch and layers panel in view.

John Mensinger
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 8, 2021

Click that right-facing arrow in the Layers panel (just to the right of the blue layer-color bar). Doing that will "expand" the layer to show it's sublayer(s). Then take another screenshot.