PDF's no longer open correctly in Illustrator

[BGnewDW]

This is a serious issue. Until recently (mid 2022) I was able to design and save files not only in .ai format but as an editable PDF too that worked exactly as an .ai file. Suddenly the same editiable PDF files no longer open in illustrator without getting outlined or all text messed up. This means years of work can no longer be edited the same way as before. 

[Doug A Roberts]

What PDF preset are you using? Is 'Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities' checked when you save?

[BGnewDW]

Thank you for the response. Of course. I have been using these apps forever now. As i said it above, these are files we were opening and editing until now. Suddenly the same files require to be outlined when opening. 

1 way i was able to get aroudn it is opening it in adobe reader and changing the font to something else, then changing it back to the original. Then i can open it without outlining the file, but everything (all text boxes) gets chopped up. (1 line, 1 letter, one word separate from the rest)

[Larry G. Schneider]

What font type are you using? Open Type, True Type or Postscript Type 1

[Ton Frederiks]

Which version do you use and does it still work in a previous version?

[BGnewDW]

Good question. i use the latest version. do not have an older version installed any more. I wonder if anyone else had this issue, or maybe everyone else just saves ai files... i used to, not any more, since it worked seamlessly. 

[Monika Gause]

Saving AI files certainly ia more secure. Also I would not open the PDF in a PDF editor and then save oit there, because this could overwrite the AI part of the file. And then unfortunately if Illustrator is set up in a certain way, you are saving to a network or synchronized folder and you are unlucky, files may go corrupt and display the issues you are describing. Make sure to turn off "Save in background" in the Illustrator preferences. And don't work directly on a network.

[BGnewDW]

I use save as for now. ty

[Ton Frederiks]

You can have multiple versions installed on your computer.

To install older Illustrator versions, select in the Creative Cloud App > Apps > All Apps.

Click the 3 dots on the right of installed Illustrator and choose Other Versions and select an older version to install.

[BGnewDW]

TY for your answer. I think the solution would be that updates make something easier to use, not that eliminating or changing features so it cause more time and energy to do the same task as before.