Expert: Tom Rouze - 5/15/2006

Question
I'm an OSX Freehand 8 "guru" (use it constantly). I'm also a Photoshop
6
pretty-good user, and get so frustrated with Illustrator (7), because it
seems
so limiting and "needs" what I think are extra steps.

Now I have a client who's contracted me to do "little projects" for him
(he
creates his files on a PC) and he is creating his work in Illustrator and
sending
me PDFs of those files, so I'm 'stuck' -- plus he is the world's WORST
detail
explainer of what it is he wants. Just plops the CD on my desk and
says:
"here's the files. You can open them in Illustrator".

I need to open the PDF files in Illustrator, and can't seem to get them
to open
or import (FYI: what I have in-house from him now is several trifold
brochures & other smaller
pieces from him, all for offset CMYK printing. Client wants me to
manipulate and polisht these docs up with a better/cleaner look).

I've got lots of design expereince, have a good eye, and am not a
dummy -- but today I feel like one, so...my stupid question is: how
do I open PDF files and work with them (to separate out art elements
such as
a logo or background graphic) in Illustrator. Once I know just how to
open
them, I can probably finagle my way around in Illustrator to figure it
out. I
MIGHT be missing plugins to open the PDFs the client sent to me - not
sure.

When I have an Illustrator doc open, I try to use the "place" command
in menu, but the PDF's don't show
up on my menu of available files -- so now what?!

Am thinking I'll just use PhotoShop if you don't have a clue of what I'm
talking about or trying to accomplish!

Help! ...and, ready to bail!
Thanks!  

Answer
Hi Andrea,

Hmmm... Illustrator 7... Now I know why you like Freehand...I'm not familiar with Freehand but I hear it has some good features! I barely remember Illust 7...lol... Anyway I've had similar problems with opening PDFs in earlier versions.  I never did find out what to do except ask the customer to send the file as an .eps.  Then I didn't have a problem.  As a matter of fact the only time I use PDFs is for proofing to a customer.
My suggestion is ask your client to send an eps.  
There may also be a conflict with the versions of Illustrator.
Which version is he working in?  If he's working in a much later version that may be the problem.  Then have him save back to the version you can read without a problem.

Hope this helps.

Thank you,

Tom