Save As PDF and PDF Export
Illustrator is long overdue for PDF export. Without PDF export saving a PDF from Illustrator is an arduous, multi-step process that must be repeated every time. There is also a dangerous trap in the process that can make the user’s file uneditable. Compare this to InDesign, which has PDF export and all changes are sticky.
Illustrator
1. File > Save a copy,
2. Change format to PDF,
3. Remove “ copy” from filename,
4. Change directory,
5. Click Save,
6. Enter PDF options,
7. Click Save.
InDesign
1. File > Export,
2. Click Export.
Because all options in InDesign are sticky every export after the first will repeat the Settings, including directory, filename, and PDF options (even custom options that don’t use a preset).
The danger is a user might choose Save As (instead of Save a copy) to save a PDF then not realize the file they continue to edit is a PDF without Illustrator editing turned on. Any changes made would be saved to the PDF portion of the file, but there would be no fully editable Illustrator portion to keep their work. It is a dangerous trap that can lose work. It is a disgrace that this can happen in a program that’s over 30 years old.
Scott Falkner
shared this idea
The solution is pushed into Global Availability build 28.6.
PDF is now available as type in File > Export > Export As dialog.
However, File > Adobe PDF Presets menu, similar to one InDesign has, to allow even quicker export, is absent still.
If you want to have it, please upvote this new request here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/48670088
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'Saving' is not 'exporting', you surely understand that (as 'Open' is not 'Import' too).
AI don't export PDF, it saves it.
As far I can see without going into tech, there's two 'layers' inside such PDF, with native art you edit in AI and real PDF data, which is synced with native one.I don't know how much people save and work in PDF-format (I rarely do), but I can't just take away this possibility and force them to export every time and import every time instead of open-save.
What you can really hope for, is a tick 'Don't save hidden content' in 'Save as' options
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David commented
The current illustrator "save as" saves all illustrator content, but hides data that is not on the selected "save as" pages. This puts content that I don't want published at risk (the pdf can be opened in illustrator to reveal all content) as well as creates very inefficient and bloated PDF's. I have to either create a seperate illustrator file that deletes all artboards and content that I don't want exported, then save as PDF, or save as PDF (with all content) and open the PDF in illustrator after export to delete the hidden content and resave.
is inconsistant with indesign
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Kirk
commented
Because Illustrator doesn't export/publish/create I have ended up accidentally losing data. I want a way to create a PDF from an AI without the file I'm editing transitioning to the new PDF. Many times I have saved a PDF without editing ability, with compressed images, or with some other settings I don't want in a working document, then accidentally continue editing the document. Later I find that I have two files. An AI file from early inn the design process and a PDF from the final that is not useful because it's the altered, out going, non-working document.
Just adding PDF to the Export would save me.
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Joe Ashworth
commented
Export to PDF – instead of Save As A Copy i.e.. just like InDesign. The current way of doing this is too long-winded. Too many clicks! Thanks.