illustrator file layer lost instead 85 page pdf

[Paula31021748xqdt]

Yesterday evening i saved my file as always with all the layers as pdf. Today i wanted to open it and all of a sudden i have 85 pages in one file. On each page is the same thing, my drawing as it was but without my layers. What happened? Is there a way to get the layers back? I am desperate and would be very happy about help. Thanks!

[Larry G. Schneider]

Probably not. Make sure in the future that you use Save a Copy to make the PDF and ensure you still have the .ai version of the file.

[Larry G. Schneider]

If you have something like Mac Time Machine running there's a chance you can recover a copy from there.

[Paula31021748xqdt]

thank you for your answer! i'll have to look that up. and i will make sure to safe the .ai version in the future 😕

[Mike_Gondek]

Never Edit in Illustrator without saving the master copy in the native format .ai. Same goes in Photoshop if you want to keep layers.

Wich PDF setting did you use? Was Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities checked?