Missing "Replace all" feature when updating links

[theshowe]

Updated to the current illustrator 28.5 and I am now missing the replace all when I open a file and have to replace links. 

Also when I do replace the link it doesn't find all the missing links that are in the same folder. It used to update automatically when missing files were in the same folder. 

This is very frustrating when doing press sheets with multiple files and I've used this feature frequently as I've had to use the same file as a template and update multiple images it was an easy way to change out artwork from one image to another. 

[theshowe]

at least there is a workaround for finding the other image links in the same folder by using the links palette. When opening the file and it's searching hit ignore. Then in the link palette relink one and check the "search for missing links" it's less convenient but at least it works. 

The replace all there isn't much unless you start giving everything the same file name and having them in a bunch of different folders. Not convenient. 

[richardesignerUK]

Thanks for that 'theshowe'. I'll give that a go. I'm surprised more people havent complained about this missing feature. Seems bizarre that Adobe should remove it?  

[richardesignerUK]

It's definitely weird using Illustrator at the moment. Especially with regard to linked images. Usually Illustrator will link to images that are in the same space i.e. withing the same folder. However if I open an Illustrator file where the links have moved Illustrator asks to re-link those missing images. However, as I said before, you have to replace each link one by one. It doesnt know to re-link to all the links that might be in the same space. Whats even more bizarre at the moment is if I open an Illustrator, file where the links are in the same folder, if I tell Illustrator not to connect to the links it then ignores me and connects to all the links in that folder. It's really messed up! Why did they mess about with this? Its almost like Adobe gave this job to someone new who doesnt understand the way designers use Illustrator and linked images. The only way around it is as 'theshowe' said above. When you re-link to an image, click on the 'search for missing links' (it's at the bottom of the windown that opens when you relink to the first image). That works OK - but its not as good as the previous way of doing things. Adobe please fix this. 

[James Stuart26633656ph3d]

I have noticed "replace all" is missing and it's having a big impact on my time. We create many different artworks for different countries, each containing multiple linked images. We use low resolution images during development which have "LR" in the filename to keep everything light. When we have sign-off and are ready to send files to our suppliers, we swap the low res files for the high res versions. Normally, "replace all" does this for all artworks when I open them at the same time. Now I have to manually replace each linked image across every version of the artwork. Keeping the same filename is not an option as we wouldn't know which is the low res / high res without checking the filesize. Please, please bring this feature back, or solve this for these types of workflows in another way. Using InDesign is not an option as we have content plugins that we have to use for Illustrator. Thank you.

[vivianb69986538]

I had the same issue. Found this guy on YouTube that created a script to help solve the problem and it worked for me. Hopefully it works for you. Not sure why they would remove such a useful tool. Here is the link the YouTube guy. Good luck

https://youtu.be/DaKv0NqTD88?si=ElQf-0ME1252512W 

[Ryan L Eakins]

Same issue here. Plus I will add... when you have multiple items selected to relink, it is inconsistant with it's behavior. It sometimes will ask to replace each item, one right after another, and sometimes you will be forced to replace them one at a time by reselecting each individual item and selecting the link button. This is a monumental pain in the backside. It has taken a highly productive way to update files and trippled the amount of time it takes to create a layout! FIX THIS!!!!

[OrhanTekis]

Hello friends,
As someone who works especially on packaging and assembly, I cannot understand why a feature that was very useful to us users has been removed. Unfortunately, for this reason I am still using the old version Ilustrator. We pay the fee and get a new version, but since Adobe does not offer a solution, we have to use the old version. Why was this feature removed? What is Adobe aiming for by removing this fast and time-saving feature for end users? I hope they return to this understanding as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there is a monopolistic mentality! Do they want to make it easier for other companies to sell their assembly programs?

[Sanan376395133dkv]

The check box "Search for Missing Links in this folder" is not work.
Please update the new version to have the check box "apply to all"

[Monika Gause]

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@Sanan376395133dkv  schrieb:

The check box "Search for Missing Links in this folder" is not work.
Please update the new version to have the check box "apply to all"

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Please post on https://illustrator.uservoice.com. The engineers do not read this forum.

[Miguel1057champ]

Can you please reactivate the replace all for missing links, i work in a printshop and its taking hours to make templates for different designs.

[allenb9083572]

this is a bad decision, please restore the old function- when placng multi page pdf relinking each one is most annoying and time consuming

[Monika Gause]

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@allenb9083572  schrieb:

this is a bad decision, please restore the old function- when placng multi page pdf relinking each one is most annoying and time consuming

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Please upvote the Feature request on Uservoice. That's the only place that counts.

[davidd39080897]

I have to agree that removing the replace all function has completely upended the prepress and setup process. It takes significantly longer to relink files, especially with multiple pages per file linked. For large format projects where we often have 100+ decals or items per sheet, having to relink them all by hand is incredibly painstaking and saving multiple files just takes up more time. Considering the developers thought this was a good idea due to some people having linking issues, can this not just be made into a setting option like the Legacy "File New" interface? That way the people who want the option can turn it on, and the people who don't want it don't have to use it.

[Monika Gause]

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@davidd39080897  schrieb:

I have to agree that removing the replace all function has completely upended the prepress and setup process. It takes significantly longer to relink files, especially with multiple pages per file linked. For large format projects where we often have 100+ decals or items per sheet, having to relink them all by hand is incredibly painstaking and saving multiple files just takes up more time. Considering the developers thought this was a good idea due to some people having linking issues, can this not just be made into a setting option like the Legacy "File New" interface? That way the people who want the option can turn it on, and the people who don't want it don't have to use it.

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If you want to reach out to the people that are actually able to implement that (= the engineers), please post to Uservoice. In this forum 95% of participants aren't even staff.

[Ton Frederiks]

You can also find some scripts here as workaround:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/48498587

[Gemma252002500m2c]

I have just done the upgrade and found the same thing! This is a HUGE problem for me, sometimes my Illustrator files have a link repeated 40 or 50 times within the file..... Let's hope they bring this feature back as it's a huge pain re-linking all files individually!!

[Ton Frederiks]

Looks fixed in the public beta, so there is hope.

[Gemma252002500m2c]

Ohh fingers crossed..... this is why I wait a few months before upgrading 😄 

[AuntLou42]

If I have 20 versions of the same image that I need to be linked to a different image I have to replace it 20 times. This is such and obvious feature to have and unacceptable that it was removed. Also saving over the current linked image is NOT an option in a production environment. Put this back in the missing link pop up or make it an option when relinking through the Links window (as it should have always been there anyways).

[Bryan5F8B]

Is this going to be fixed? When you have several of the same link that you want to change to a version named slightly different to maintain integrity of the files this is not going to work.