Cropping embedding linked images

[williamkansepa]

Hi

Each time I crop a linked image using the crop tool, the image becomes automatically embedded. This behaviour is frustrating as this increases the size of my document when I save. Can't we also have an option of non-destructive cropping which simply hides the unwanted areas of the image and will also retain my links rather than embed them?

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

That is the Mask option.

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/visual-tutorial---creating-mask.html

[williamkansepa]

Thanks for your reply Ton.

I am aware of the clipping mask, but here I am talking specifically about the Crop tool. I am requesting for non-destructive cropping to be added as an option on the Crop tool.

[Monika Gause]

There can't be a non-destructive Crop, because then it would need to crop the actual image file.

Illustrator simply doesn't place images the way InDesign does.

[Ton Frederiks]

What would non destructive cropping do different than masking?

[Ton Frederiks]

If you want to make a feature request for an option added to the crop tool, you can do that here:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com