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Question

Illustrator repair file?

Aug 9, 2015 1:34PM PDT

Illustrator .ai file get corrupted. “The file is damaged and could not be repaired.” Yesterday I saw such message, when I was trying to open my .ai file.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
First, beware those spammers.
Aug 9, 2015 1:40PM PDT

This question invariably gets the spams from file repair.com sites or by proxy to another post where they spammed. If they are that good, there would be a demo version.

This issue is all about keeping our files safe on backups. There is another cause which is a patch or update to Illustrator that wasn't installed. This is on the https://forums.adobe.com/community/illustrator forum.

In fact, you should be posting this question there as that's where the well is.

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Answer
Re: Illustrator repair file?
Aug 10, 2015 12:57PM PDT

To attempt recovery using Illustrator itself:
1. Create a new document
2. Select “place image” ( File > Place… )
3. Choose your corrupted file in the dialog box. Make sure you choose file types to ” ALL DOCUMENTS “, not just RECOMMENDED.
4. Save this file. If you cannot save this file (due to corruption), copy your vectors and paste them into a new illustrator document.
PROS: You should be able to select the corrupted file, and your vector work should be saved.
CONS: All layers will be flattened into one. PMS color info and placed images may be lost. File may still be corrupted.

Spam links removed by moderator.

Post was last edited on August 10, 2015 1:46 PM PDT