Why can I see linked images in Acrobat but not when I open the pdf in Illustrator?

[Kore_Group]

I occasionally get pdfs from clients, saved out of InDesign or Illustrator, that need edits. Inevitably, the can't get me the native file, so I'm stuck trying to make edits to the pdf (a horrible workflow, I realize). Usually the files have linked images, so when I open the pdf, they're not there. You and I know the difference between linked and embedded graphics, but when I try to explain that to the client, the conversation goes something like this:

Me: "Can you supply me the image that's in the pdf you sent me? I can't make edits without it."

Client: "Why not?"

Me: "It's a linked file, which means when I try to edit the pdf, my program looks for the image and can't find it. If you can supply me with the image, I can make the edits."

Client: "The designer that worked on that project moved to Mongolia, so I can't get the image for you."

Me: "In that case, I can't make the changes you're requesting."

Client: "Why not?"

Me: *patiently explain the difference between a linked file and an embedded one*

Client: "But I can see the photo in the pdf."

Me: *less patiently explain the difference between a linked file and an embedded one*

Client: "But I can see the photo in the pdf."

So here's my question. Can someone explain to me - so I can explain it to my client - why you can see a linked photo when viewing a pdf but there isn't some kind of thumbnail created in Illustrator when I go to edit the file? From the client's perspective, they see a pdf with an image, but I'm telling them it isn't there, and then they get frustrated with me.

thanks

[Jeff Witchel, ACI · Accepted solution]

Illustrator is not a PDF editor. Weird, unexplainable things can happen when opening a PDF created in InDesign.

Instead open the PDF in Acrobat Pro DC and under the Tools menu, choose Edit.

Here's a link to a video tutorial that shows the process -- http://www.jeffwitchel.net/2015/08/edit-pdfs-like-never-before-in-acrobat-dc/

[Kore_Group]

Thanks! That was really helpful. I didn't realize I could use a DC "edit with" feature to open an image into Photoshop. Then I can save it with the same name as the linked image and I'm back in business. You just made me look like a hero to my boss.

(And yes, ideally I wouldn't have to edit pdfs in Illustrator, but that's the preferred format of many of our printers, so that's what I tend to get stuck with.)

[Ton Frederiks]

You are looking at the Illustrator part and that sees the linked file as missing.

The image is embedded in the PDF part.

Place the PDF in a new Illustrator file.

Make sure it's embedded.

Ungroup and release the clipping masks.

[Kore_Group]

Good suggestion. I hadn't considered that, but it's a great workaround.

[Monika Gause]

I have recorded a video as an explanation

Mysterious things Illustrator does - Saving files on Vimeo

It's about AI files. The same goes for PDF.

To get the images, open the PDF in Photoshop. Then in the Open dialog, click on the tab named "Images". This allows you to get the original size, no rotation and the original color space.

[Kore_Group]

There was text on top of the image in this particular case, so it didn't occur to me to try this solution. It works great. And thanks for the video link.

All three responses were very helpful, thanks everyone.