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Chapter 13: Importing, exporting, and
saving
Importing files
To place (import) files
The Place command is the primary method of importing, because it provides the highest level of support for file
formats, placement options, and color. After you place a file, use the Links palette to identify, select, monitor, and
update it.
1
Open the Illustrator document into which you want to place the artwork.
2
Choose File > Place, and select the file you want to place.
Note:
To display Version Cue options in the Place dialog box, click the Version Cue button. For more information on
managing files with Version Cue, see “Getting the most out of Version Cue” on page 82.
3
Select Link to create a link to the file, or deselect Link to embed the artwork in the Illustrator document. For more
information about when to link to or embed artwork, see “About linked and embedded artwork” on page 325.
4
Click Place.
In certain situations, another dialog box appears:
•
If you place a PDF file with multiple pages, you can choose which page you want to place and how to crop the
artwork. (See “Adobe PDF placement options” on page 330.)
•
If you embed a Photoshop file, you can choose how to convert layers. If the file contains layer comps, you can also
choose which version of the image to import. (See “Photoshop import options” on page 333.)
About linked and embedded artwork
When you place artwork, you can choose whether to link to the file or embed it in the Illustrator document.
•
Linked artwork remains independent of the Illustrator document, resulting in a smaller Illustrator file. You can
modify linked artwork using transformation tools and effects; however, you cannot select and edit individual
components in the artwork.
•
Embedded artwork is copied into the Illustrator document, resulting in a larger Illustrator file. If the artwork
contains multiple components, you can edit them discretely. For example, if the artwork contains vector data,
Illustrator converts it to paths, which you can then modify using Illustrator tools and commands. Illustrator also
preserves the object hierarchy (such as groups and layers) in artwork embedded from certain file formats.
To determine if artwork is linked or embedded, use the Links palette.
See also
“To convert linked artwork into embedded artwork” on page 328