Issues opening converted files

[graphicsa61812205]

Hello,

I often receive CorelDraw files for work that I convert over to AI files to work on them. I have been doing this for years with no problems at all. But since the last update (29.2.1) any time I try to open a file I have converted, or even one that I converted months ago, I get a pop up that says "Illustrator could partially read this file. We recovered as much of the file as possible, but some content might be missing. Open to view the recovered file". when I open it, it's just a blank file. I'm the only one at my company that uses AI, so I don't know if anyone else is having this issue, nor do I have anyone here to ask for help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @graphicsa61812205,

Would you mind trying to install an earlier version of Illustrator and checking if you are able to open your files? Also kindly share the original Corel and converted Ai files, settings used to convert the file, and if this happens when saving to a particular folder so I can check it on my end.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[graphicsa61812205]

Hello Anubhav,

I'm probably going to sound stupid asking this, but how do I install an earlier version? As far as sharing the files on here, I will have to speak with my supervisor before doing so. We work with private firms in the orthopedic industry, and I'm not sure if sharing the files would break any confidentiality clauses we have with them. If this could be turned into a private conversation, it would be more likely that I could do so. 

Thank you

[Monika Gause]

How do you convert the files?

CorelDRAW can export AI files.

[graphicsa61812205]

Yes, I I convert in Corel. Just File, Save as, and the AI option. Would using export instead of save as change anyhting? It was my understanding they were basically the same.

[Monika Gause]

It's an export operation, because it's a non-native format for CorelDRAW, so using a differently called command would probably not change anything.

[graphicsa61812205]

As I was assuming, because the files techincally belong to our clients, I am not allowed to share them. I did try insalling the previous version and had the same issue. Someone else said they have been having the same problem and suggested going back to 28.7.4 and that worked. I was able to open the converted file, save it and then it would open in the current version. While I am extreamly happy to be able to do this and continue with my work, it does not seem like a long term solution. Do you know if Adobe is aware of this issue and working to correct it?

[Bobby Henderson]

I've been seeing this problem for some time. Adobe Illustrator .AI files exported from CorelDRAW that have live type objects will not open in the current version of Illustrator. The app will display the error message and then open a blank document. If the exported AI file just has raw vector paths it will open successfully.

The solution is installing an earlier version of Illustrator, such as version 28.7.4. You can have more than one version of Illustrator installed on a computer. The Corel-exported AI file will open successfully in Illustrator 28.7.4. Re-save the AI file in that version of Illustrator. Once that is done it will open in the current version of Illustrator.

[graphicsa61812205]

Wow, That worked! Thank you very much! Do you know if they are aware of the issue and working on fixing it?

[Bobby Henderson]

I'm pretty sure they're aware of the issue. There are multiple discussion threads about it.

I don't know if it will be enough for Adobe to do some tweaking to Illusrator's code on their end. The CorelDRAW .AI export filter has other problems. Live text objects that have multiple lines of copy get the line spacing all mixed up when the Corel-exported AI file is opened in Illustrator. This happens to both point type and area type objects (or what CorelDRAW calls "artistic text" and "paragraph text"). The only solution I've found is this: I have to create a new document in Illustrator. Then I create new type objects with the same styling as those in the Corel-exported AI file. Then I paste those type objects in the Corel-generated file and use the eyedropper tool to copy the properties of the corrected type objects. It's not too big a deal if it's just a one page document. If the document spans multiple pages and has a lot of type it can be a real chore to fix the affected text objects.