Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 8/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Kevin - i saved my illustrator file as an .ai file but when i open it, it's all one image.  i can't select anything individually to edit.  can you help?  Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Emma,

When you select your image go to Object>Clipping Mask>Release, or double check to make sure it is not just grouped. For some reason, its reading this as a pdf instead of a native AI file. Are you saving as a different version than your current application?

Thanks

Kevin



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: the only options when i follow the clipping mask drop down are 'make' and 'edit mask'. the release is grayed and i can't select it.  i right-clicked to ungroup but it doesn't show any grouping.  when i saved it i didn't change anything to the default settings so i didn't think that was the problem, although i might have accidentally.  the file name is [index.ai@100%(RGB/Preview)].  any other thoughts? thanks.

Answer
Hi Emma,

When you saved this, did you manually type in the extension or did you do it via the format type pull down menu? If you manually typed in the ai extension it may have actually been something else and not its corrupt. The only other option I can think of is if you have a locked layer. Im running out of options, because you really have to go out of your way to cause an image to break like this.

Thanks

Kevin