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Bella30127
Participant
January 22, 2019
Answered

"Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities" option not working??

  • January 22, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 8932 views

I need to create a print-ready PDF file of a vector illustration to be sold on Etsy as a digital download. I would like to eliminate the possibility of a buyer easily manipulating the original artwork and reselling it as their own. So, I've saved the PDF with "Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities" UNCHECKED. However, when I open the PDF back in Illustrator (version CC 2014), it still shows up as editable vector artwork with paths. I thought unchecking the "Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities" option was supposed to prevent access to the original vector file?? Thanks for anyone's help!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer bongofernie

The same image 48 times? I misunderstood, I thought you had a large file that you had to print in 1/48 parts of it.

I just looked at your original post - so you're not selling a digital file? - if you are, why do you need to create 48 of them?

 


I rasterized it like you said and it should work. 

I print on 48" X 96" sheets of .020" polycarbonate.

Then cut to smaller sheets on a colex cutter, then kiss cut to smaller labels or whatever is needed after adhesive is applied. Thanks for the help about the rasterizing. It gets a little fuzzy but it should be fine. 

 

 

5 replies

bongofernie
bongofernie
Inspiring
April 27, 2023

I have the same problem on a very complicated schematic. I save it as a High Quality PDF file with Illustrator capabilities turned off. Then I drag the PDF to AI for stepping so I can print several copies on a large format sheet. When I embed the image to save as AI it converts to Vector. Even though it shold be a PDF image.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 27, 2023
@bongofernie  schrieb:

Even though it shold be a PDF image.

 

There can be vector elements inside a PDF. So when embedding this is absolutely acting as expected. Why do you embed it?

bongofernie
bongofernie
Inspiring
April 28, 2023

The image is a file on my desktop. If I drag it into AI and save and then close. When I put the PDF file in the trash and then open the AI it says the image is missing. I have to drag thePDF out of the trash and then I see it in the AI file. So I embed it but then it is Vector again.

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
January 22, 2019

You can set a password, but since most software will ignore that, it's probably not much good. Also, locked clip art is likely to be unacceptable, people may NEED to edit it to be any use...

M
miab71729855
Participating Frequently
January 22, 2019

Hi,

You can Save as a PDF and create a password to make it uneditable in the settings.

Br

Mia

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 22, 2019

miab71729855  schrieb

Hi,

You can Save as a PDF and create a password to make it uneditable in the settings.

1. That can be hacked by anyone who is able to do a Google search (in less than 2 minutes)

2. Printers won't accept those files.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 22, 2019

You cannot save vectors in a way that they are completely uneditable.

Please watch this about saving Illustrator files: How Illustrator saves files - YouTube

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
January 22, 2019

No that‘s Not a security option or lock (there is no such thing: you are selling the vectors for reuse).

With the option the editor has the original AI design, its layers, swatches, meshes and everything you have. Creators use it to save for working on themselves. Without the option Illustrator tries, as with any PDF to find all the text and paths, and make it into editable objects.

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