Inspiring

Question

Links are not linked and duplicated in AI after opening saved file

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
October 19, 2022
4 replies
3893 views

I use the following workflow: Create AI working file that has different layouts for the same item on separate artboards. Place that working file as a link into another AI file and probably some PSD files. The idea is to have one working file placed in multiple other files, and then just update the links in the other files when the original file changes. (Iterations of the same label must be in both an AI presentation file and a PSD file for each iteration It's a bit of a nesting challenge but works for me).

So. Not sure exactly how to describe this problem. Often (but not always!) the following happens: an AI doc which has the placed images and working file is saved and closed. When I open that AI doc later, all the links are placed in the file multiple times, and they don't seem to be linked. The message I get when opening the file, and I get this for each link: "An error occurred trying to read the linked file <insert file name here>. Choose Replace to select another file or Ignore to leave the link unchanged." Similar to the message you get when you're missing a linked file. Note that I haven't changed the files or their location.

What is the "error" with the files? They are all created with the current versions of PS, AI etc.

To add insult to injury, I duplicated my problem file so I would have something to work with for solutions and the problem did not replicate. (so that's a good solution/workaround, but why?)

AI 26.5 on Mac OS 12.6.
(Not updating to the latest versions till the rest of my team updates.)

Happy to share files or screen shots with someone privately, as it could be considered proprietary subject matter in the presentation, and I'm not comfortable posting to the world. 😉

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dDembickiAuthor

Inspiring

Update:

This issue has seemed to be a little better recently. When opening an offending file (there are way less of those as well), I get a message that it can't find the images. I tell it where to find them, and when it finally opens, it looks crazy, but when it's done thinking the images are where they are supposed to be. Sometimes they are duplicated, however, in the same clipping mask, so I have to hunt them down. But for the most part it seems to be better. Not solved, but better.
FYI, this is still on Ai 2024. I haven't used Ai 2025 enough yet. All our vendors are still on 2024 and 2023.

OH, and the company updated my machine, so now I've got an M3 Max with 64GB RAM. Also, recently updated to Sequoia, 15.0.1.

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dalface

Inspiring

I am having the same problem. I am working in 2023 and thought maybe that was the problem and since i do have the latest version of Illustrator also, i did try opening in it and same problem. I put the ai file in with the links and it opened fine. The first time. Then it didn't. The difference was i had opened it first and then my second file had the issue. When i opened the 2nd files first, it was fine and the other one wasn't. I need to have both open as i am updating my file with a customer's new file. I suppose i can open theirs, copy everything, close it, open my file and paste, but that seems ridiculous to do. My coworker does not have this problem and we're working with the same files, they are in the cloud so we both access the same files.

thanks,

A

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @dalface,

I am sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind sharing some more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, a public link to a sample file (https://adobe.ly/4echqTU), and a screen recording of the problem (https://adobe.ly/3TygEIE), so we can investigate this further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

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dalface

Inspiring

OS Ventura 13.6.4

Illustrator 27.9.6. , 28.7.1

My files are not in Creative Cloud storage. They're on a different cloud storage. Not really sure how to save to CC storage. I followed your link but the link on that page was error - asset not found. Not sure how to do a video. I can share screenshots.

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defaultla1z130fn1uq

Participant

I removed the Monotype desktop app for Mac and it immediately resolved the issue. However, this upsets me because I love and need their app. Adobe, please fix this issue! This is unacceptable.

Anshul_Saini

Community Manager

Hi All,

Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights regarding the issues you've encountered with linked files and the Monotype desktop app. We understand the frustration this has caused and apologize for any inconvenience.

Our team has been actively working on enhancements to address such issues, and we appreciate your patience and understanding. In the meantime, we recommend trying out the beta version of Illustrator 28.5, which includes some improvements related to relinking. You can access the beta version through the Creative Cloud Desktop app in the beta section.

Additionally, we encourage you to check if you're facing similar issues in other Adobe apps like Photoshop or InDesign. This will help us determine if the problem is specific to Illustrator or if it's related to the Monotype desktop app across the Adobe suite.

Thank you for your cooperation and feedback as we work towards resolving these issues. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

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dalface

Inspiring

I had installed a trial of the Monotype app but searching i cannot find any remnants of it. I used to use FontExplorer X which is now Monotype. I don't use this app, but do open it sometimes to find a font i need and transfer to Extensis when i am unable to find the font and know i've used it in the past.

Anshul_Saini

Community Manager

Hi @dDembicki,

We are sorry to hear about your experience. I understand you don't want to update as your team is still using Illustrator v26.5. Would you mind installing v27.0 separately while retaining v26.5 to check if the same behavior is replicable in the newer version or not? I am unable to reproduce following your workflow. Also, are your colleagues facing the same issue, or is it happening only on your machine?

However, If you are unable to update & check, would you mind packaging the file & zip compressing the folder and sharing the ZIP compressed file with me via DM? Also, would you mind sharing a screenshot of your system specification & confirming the saved location of the files & link (Network Drive/ System HDD/ Shared Folder on System/ External HDD)?

We are here to help. We just need more info.

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

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dDembickiAuthor

Inspiring

Trying to PM Anshul, not sure if he's still an Adobe employee. Can someone who works for Adobe please let me know who to send the files to? @Anshul_Saini