2016 AI file does not open correctly in current version

[carolienb96342324]

After opening an .AI file (in the latest Illustrator version) that was last saved in 2016 most of the layers have been merged into 1 and a whole lot of clipping masks have been created.

I can spend a few hours sorting out the mess but I know I'll be dealing with more files from around the same time soon. So I'm looking for information on how to open these older .AI with layers intact and no messy clipping masks added.

I've tried to search for a solution for this, or if I'm doing something wrong. But I might be using the wrong words (English is not my first language) as I'm not finding the information I'm looking for. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Normally there should not be a problem opening older Illustrator files in newer versions.

This looks like you are opening the pdf part of the Illustrator file, which can happen if you have saved the Illustrator as pdf without Illustrator editing capabilities or if the .ai file got corrupted by saving to external devices.

Does it happen with more files from that timeframe?

[carolienb96342324]

That is an excellent comment. It does feel like it opens it up as a PDF but without the PDF popup. 

I have found more files that open up wrongly. But also found even older files that open up fine (after a legacy version pop up). 

I guess it is possible that something got corrupted as it has been on an external hard drive.  Thank you for your quick reply 🙂