Multiple artboards not saving as seperate .ai files

[donnie_1505]

I created 18 artboards, each vary in detail. I then attempt to save each as a seperate .AI file:

File < Save as <  Save as type (*.AI) < Save.

Illustrator Options - I check "Save each artboard to a seperate file" < All < OK.

The problem is that each artboard is not saving as a seperate file. Each seperate file contains all 18 artboards. 

See screenshots. How do I correct this so that each artboard saves as a seperate .AI file?

[Rene Andritsch]

You checked the correct settings and this should correctly export just one artboard per file. Can you please state your operating system and Illustrator version? Try to restart your computer and try again as a first measure.

[Ton Frederiks]

Did you open the separate file? It may be just the preview.

[donnie_1505]

Hello Team,

I restarted my laptop and reopened the files and there was no change.  I then created all the artboards again from scratch. 

 I would like to share the steps that I have taken to create multiple rows of artboards. 

From the first artboard, I create two more artboards using the following steps: Ctrl+Shift+Click/Drag to create the 2nd and 3rd artboard. These are the first set of three.

 I then select the 3 artboards and repeat the Ctrl+Shift+Click/Drag to create additional artboard rows.

 I then modify the colors of each row of artboards.

 NOTE: I do not ungroup but double click within the logo of each artboard to select the area I want to change. The reason I do this is because when I ungroup, the image will lose its 3D characteristics.

 I then follow the ‘Save As’ steps I shared previously. When I open the saved .AI files, each has a different combination of artboards.

The format of each artboard are the same as the first one. I modify each row of artboards with different color configurations.

Reference Screenshots

[Ton Frederiks]

I can replicate it when I have the content of all artboards grouped together.

Try it with a single group on each artboard.

[donnie_1505]

Hello @Ton Frederiks , can you please walk me thru how to do this so i dont loose their 3D characteristics? Or, can you guide me on how I can restore them? When i do this, each logo goes 'flat' (for lack of the proper word) and no longer shows the 3D settings i've set. 

[Ton Frederiks]

Can you show you Layers panel with the group twirled down so that the contents of the group are visible?

[donnie_1505]

Sure, please see image attached. 

[Ton Frederiks]

Thanks, that does not look like a single group containing all other groups as I thought could explain it.

Unless we can have a look at the file, it is hard to explain this behaviour.

[donnie_1505]

for privacy, how do you suggest i share the file with you?

[donnie_1505]

Hello @Ton Frederiks , Please see pdf file attached for your review. 

[Ton Frederiks]

Thanks Donnie, could you attach the file again? This pdf was saved without Illustrator editing capabilities.

So all the Illustrator options are gone.

Can you save it with Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities checked?

[donnie_1505]

Hello @Ton Frederiks , I have saved it this time with Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities checked as requested. 

Thank you!

[Ton Frederiks]

Does not look like it was saved with editing capabilities, still opens with import options.

[donnie_1505]

Hi @Ton Frederiks , Apologies! please see attached file that has been saved with editing capabilites. I removed some artboards (from 16 to 9) because the oringal file exceeded the 47MB file size limit. 

thank you for your patience!

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Thanks Donnie,

I suppose that the additional artwork outside the artboards is caused because the artboards are so close together and the 3D effect somehow creates some (invisible) overlapping. Rearranging the artboards with 200 px space between them seems to solve the problem. 

I think it is a good idea to split them, the file becomes quite heavy and slow with that many 3D objects.

[donnie_1505]

Thank you @Ton Frederiks  for your support, patience and guidance. i will split the full amount of artboards created between two seperate files, seperate them with 200px space, and will circle back to let you know how it works out!

Take Care!

[donnie_1505]

Hello @Ton Frederiks, it worked out perfectly!

Thanks Again!!

[Ton Frederiks]

GLad to hear that worked.