The document contains PDF objects that have been reinterpreted: To get the look, some of the text was converted to paths.

[Guest]

Hi,

I got this message if I open a PDF in AI CC 2017 (Win10 64-bit). If I open the same PDF it in AI CS 5.1 (MAC OSX 10.5.) it works well. I would like to open it with AI CC without problems.
Sorry my englisch isn't the best.

Michael

[Mike_Gondek · Accepted solution]

Illustrator is not a PDF editor, but I can understand the desire to use a program you are familiar with. PDF is not a format for editing, the purpose of this a portable format to open and read or print on cross platform, but not edit.

You can open the pdf in CS 5.1 and save to .ai format, then open the .ai on CC2017. You always want to keep a backup in .ai format.

If you would like to post a copy of your .pdf with dropbox or similar, will be happy to see what assistance we can offer.

[Guest]

I know. But PDF is the only way to transfer data from one system to the other. I need to change the texts to other languages. Unfortunately, there is no other common denominator.

Thanks for your offer. I'm in contact with someone. If it did not lead to any result I would report again.
Step by step, I prefer. I do not want to go crazy at the same time.

[Mike_Gondek]

You can transfer .ai files between mac and windows, and that is preferred. PDF changes the files to be less editable for humans, but better to preview for computers.

[aron901234]

I am getting the same error when I try to open in Illustrator but that is not my main issue.

Main issue is I have an Adobe Core RIP and it is taking longer than expected to RIP this PDF.

I am wondering if the error is an indicator of why it is taking so long to RIP and what can be done about it.

The PDF was made using iText PDF.

[Monika Gause]

arona41093618  schrieb

The PDF was made using iText PDF.

That application mayhave written anything into that PDF. And without seeing that PDF, nobody can know.

[Test Screen Name]

It's not an error, it's a warning. To remind you Illustrator is not a general PDF editor.

[LeaCatlett74]

I am getting this with a lot of files that have been submitted for print. Need to turn off "Preserve Illustrator Capabilities" when exporting and/or saving as a pdf. I like the idea of this feature, but it is just not needed now that files can open in any OS. It will also crash your printers' rip software. I also recommend pitstop for anyone who exports pdfs a lot, it flags this feature every time. 

[Monika Gause]

jimj13954908  schrieb

Need to turn off "Preserve Illustrator Capabilities" when exporting and/or saving as a pdf. I like the idea of this feature, but it is just not needed now that files can open in any OS. 

This applies only, when you still have an AI file for editing purposes. When PDF is the only file you save, then you need the "editing capabilities" for editing in Illustrator.

[LeaCatlett74]

I can only speak to files that have been submitted for printing, Please be kind to your printers and send them a pdf file that was saved with "Preserve Illustrator Capabilities". When I have issues files that won't print and are flagged by pitstop, I ask for native files and then save a pdf from them with this option turned off and everything then works fine.

I build files in Illustrator all the time and I always have this option turned off.

[Monika Gause]

jimj13954908  schrieb

I can only speak to files that have been submitted for printing, Please be kind to your printers and send them a pdf file that was saved with "Preserve Illustrator Capabilities".

The issue for the thread opener in this case was that they only had a PDF. Had "Illustrator editing capabilities" been turned on, then this issue (and thread) wouldn't exist. The trouble is that nobody cares about how to save a file anymore and thus doesn't know what happens when they do.

I don't know about you, but I only send PDF/X for printing. The editing capabilities cannot be turned on for those. And if you as the printer want to have a specific kind of file then I would suggest you instruct your customers accordingly on your website.

Bottom line: you always need to save an AI file in order to be able to edit it later on. And if you happen to only save PDF file format for whatever reason, then the "editing capabilities" needs to be turned on. If you save a file to send off to someone else for whatever purpose then you will always have to talk to them and ask for exact specifications - but this will always be in addition to the Ai file for editing.

[LeaCatlett74]

Should say - "with "Preserve Illustrator Capabilities" turn off."

[Mike_Gondek]

How do you communicate with the people sending you files. You should give them brief and easy to follow instructions via email, website, etc. I would recommend asking them to use a preset you prefer and show them where to find this eg:

[Test Screen Name]

Also, if a printer says that your files crash their RIP, be very cautious. Ask them what their RIP maker says about the bug, and their timescale for fixing the issue. Many printer makers treat the RIP as hardware, instead of software which needs bug fixes and maintenance contracts. If they will not fix such a dramatic bug, who knows what other bugs there might be, which could lead to errors or quality issues in your job?

[LeaCatlett74]

I am the printer, lol. It is an issue only with files saved from Illustrator to a pdf with this option turned on. The EFI Fiery servers have no issue with any other files and I process Hundreds of files a week. I have tested it myself, no issues with this option in Photoshop, zero issues exporting from InDesign, Only in Illustrator is this an issue. I actually came to this thread to see if there was a workaround that didn't require me to ask for native files from the customer. There are only 2 fixes, I have found, to get around PitStop and Fiery flagging pdfs created with this option turned on. One is to get native files and then "Save as Copy" with "Preserve Illustrator Capabilities" turned off OR Open file in Photoshop and save as Photoshop PDF (which is a pain when you have a multi-page document). I can then drop the files into the Fiery Imposition, layout the job, process the job and print with zero issue. EFI hints at a problem being an Adobe issue.

Also if you open said pdf in Illustrator to "Edit it", there are still issues with the file when printing. As stated by Monika Gause, PDF/X format is the best way to send files to printers. However, I have sent tutorials, Step by step instructions, Templates, and PDF Presets. At the end of the day, most people "Know what they know" they have their favorite tools and won't update their "workflow" and because we care what our output looks like, I end up spending about 30 minutes each week on a file because someone does not know how to save a pdf.

[Mike_Gondek]

Have you tried?

Yes very disappointing so many people do not understand or follow simple requests. Have also seen so many outdated printer specifications, that is hard to take them seriously.

[LeaCatlett74]

I have tried "Press-Ready PDF" from Acrobat. I have tried every possible preflight fixup. I have been dealing with this for a long time. If all I am provided is a pdf saved from Illustrator with "Preserve Illustrator Capabilities" turned on it will not print correctly and in some case the file causes the Fiery to freeze. I have also read on some forums that other print engines are having the same issue with this type of file.

[Mike_Gondek]

HI Jim,

Try: Save As Other >> Press-Ready (PDF/X) then switch here

When I switched from 4 to -1a the layers were gone. For me default was 4p. Sorry my test did not have live fonts, as title of your post suggests live type is your issue. Went with PDF I had as was trying to help during workday.

Did you also try:

file >> export >> postscript

then distill that to  a PDF/X CMYK

Monika, might be more familiar with exactly what PDF presets outline text and remove layers, which may be helpful to unravel this mystery.

[Test Screen Name]

So, as a printer, are you just going to keep rejecting perfectly good PDF files made with Illustrator? What do Fiery say about this? Is your Fiery software up to date?

[LeaCatlett74]

I am religious about updating. And they are not perfectly good... lol The standard pdf comes in, 2 sided, 3-4 MB on average. The pdf saved from Illustrator in this manner are 100-200mb FOR A 2 PAGE PDF... And Trust me I am no run of the mill tech user.. I research everything, I have been to every forum, I have asked the technicians on 2 different print engines Ricoh and Konica! both machines 2 different Fiery Systems and both have the same issue with these files. This is really very simple for the layman, SAVE YOUR FILES AS PDF/X formate... I came here to see if there was a way around this, and clearly what I have been doing works, "May I please have your native file so I may save it the way I need to." And again Fiery points at Adobe. And I generally do not reject files unless I have to... Sending files to your printer, for production, with "Preserve Illustrator Capabilities" on is bad.