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Inspiring
January 20, 2022
Question

placed / imported file locked

  • January 20, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 657 views

Hi, 

 

There is this issue since version 25.0.3  where you import a CAD File, for example a ".DXF"

and it's being locked until you close illustrator . 

Meaning the file cannot be edited or deleted outside of illustrator once it's imported/placed. 

 

The issue is already +/- 1 year in the software and it's starting to make me nuts. 

 

Is there a way to solve this without going back to version 25.0.3? 

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

Mike_Gondek10189183
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 25, 2022

What program was the .dxf created in? After you place the .dxf does it  convert it all to editable vector paths, or do you have an object in the links window?

 

Usually you get editble paths unless autocad has some setting or some strange object in autocad that causes this to be a linked graphic rather than paths.

Inspiring
January 25, 2022

I make them into Autodesk Inventor. 

So you make a 2D-view, and do save copy as; save with *.DXF extension 

 

When importing the saved DXF you get the 2D-art in vectors ( line art ) 

After making a live-paint path ( CTRL+ALT+X )  you can fill in the art-work with colors ect.. ( quite handfull if you are working on details ) 

 

But either way, the issue occueres only after version 25.0.3 ( January 2021 ) 

Kevin Stohlmeyer
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 25, 2022

So you are opening the DXF file?

After you save and close the document as an AI does it release?

Not sure what the issue is here, I've always had my DXF or DWG files locked while AI has them opened if I open them in Illustrator.

As soon as I save as an AI or other file format, the original file is released. I've never had to quit AI to do this. I tried this on 25.0.1 and 26.0 with the same behavior.

Kevin Stohlmeyer
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 24, 2022

Are you placing the DXF file in an existing AI file or opening a new document with the original DXF?

Inspiring
January 25, 2022

Hi Kevin, 

 

Personally i'm using it in a excisting *.AI file to create vectorised content for manuals.

But after testing this issue on a new document I've figured that it's the same. 

 

So it's basicly as soon as illustrator opens the file, it locked until you fully close illustrator..

 

Alexandre