Clipping Path Layers Being Added Automatically - Doing my head in

[Emielke]

Hi

I know the basics of illustrator but definitely need to do a lot of tutorials still.

I have recently changed from old CS5 software to the latest Creative Cloud version.

When I work on an AI file on my MacBook laptop and then open it on my iMac desktop and visa versa, then automatically all these extra Clipping path layers appear above each group of sub-layers. In order to edit anything, I first have to manually go and drag an drop each automatically created clipping layer to the trash. This really wastes a lot of time as I work between both the computers during the day.

It also happens when I download stock images or get AI files from a client then there are always these clipping layers which prevent me form editing or doing anything until I delete them.

Why does this happen?

What am I doing wrong?

What's the purpose of these Clipping layers?

Can you recommend an tutorial that explains this?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Emielke

[Doug A Roberts]

Do you have the same Illustrator version on both machines?

What file format are you using to exchange?

Any warning or error messages that appear when opening files?

[Emielke]

Hi

I downloaded the exact same version of Illustrator onto both machines when I joined the Creative Cloud at the end of last year. I work on .ai files which I have saved on Dropbox on my laptop and then later open the same file on my desktop and visa versa. No warnings or error messages.

It also happens when I download stock files or receive vector files from clients - both .ai and .pdf. But I guess that's becuase they were made in different versions?

🙂 Emielke

[Monika Gause]

What you are seeing happens when newer files are opened in older version. Then Illustrator opens the embedded PDF which contains the clipping masks.

When you only have a PDF, then it will look like that as well.

When your clients have anolder version, open your files, do something and then save, you will get this as well.

Please see this about Illustrator files: https://youtu.be/IpDh8Y7q8yE

[Monika Gause]

When you open your old CS5 files in the new version and then edit them and then save them, you have to always use "Save as".

Otherwise you would be saving into the old version of the file, which will ruin everything you did with newer functions.

[Emielke]

Thank you. I'll keep that in mind.

This is happening with files created in the lateste version though.

🙂 Emielke