Linked image file extensions are truncated after saving and reopening (.PNG becomes .PN, .PDF become .PD) in Illustrator 30
When working with linked raster assets in Illustrator 30 on macOS, the file extension of linked images may be truncated after saving and reopening the document. For example, a file originally named image01.PNG will appear in the Links panel as image01.PN, causing Illustrator to report the link as missing. The original file remains unchanged and accessible in Finder.
This issue did not occur in older Illustrator versions (notably 25–26). Because these versions are no longer available for download in Creative Cloud on macOS, there is currently no stable workaround other than embedding images, which is not feasible for large projects.
Steps to Reproduce
Create a new Illustrator document.
Place a raster image using File → Place with the Link option enabled (e.g., image01.PNG).
Save the document.
Close Illustrator.
Reopen the same .ai file.
Check the Links panel: the linked filename appears as image01.PN and is flagged as missing.
Issue is intermittent but reproducible.
Expected Result
Illustrator should preserve the exact filename of linked assets and should not modify image file extensions when saving or reopening documents.
Actual Result
The final character of the file extension is removed, causing broken links. Relinking restores the artwork temporarily, but the issue returns on later reopen cycles.
Impact
Production workflows are disrupted.
Repeated relinking required.
Risk of missing assets in final deliverables.
This is a regression from previous stable behavior.
Environment
Adobe Illustrator 30.x (macOS)
macOS version: Latest
Linked files stored on: Local SSD
Affected formats: PNG consistently, possibly others
Additional Notes
This appears to be a metadata handling bug involving string truncation. The consistent removal of only the last character in the extension strongly suggests a read/write error in link path management.
A fix or confirmed stable build is urgently needed.
%2520Screenshot%25202025-12-09%2520at%252012.44.32.png){kind=link}
%2520Screenshot%25202025-12-09%2520at%252012.45.24.png){kind=link}
%2520Screenshot%25202025-12-09%2520at%252012.44.50.png){kind=link}
Kornthawat Phichitoakkhanit
shared this idea
-
Joy Tai commented
When a PDF file is placed as a link in the document and the file is subsequently reopened (after closing and reopening the software or the file itself), the following issues occur consistently:
1. The linked PDF displays a "missing link" warning, even though the file is still in its original location.
2. In the Links panel, the file extension is incorrectly displayed as ".pd" instead of ".pdf".
3. After manually relinking to the correct original PDF file, the placed PDF unexpectedly scales to an extremely large size (often several thousand percent), completely distorting the layout.Steps to Reproduce:
1. Place a PDF file into the document using "Place" with "Link" enabled.
2. Save and close the document.
3. Reopen the document.
4. Observe the missing link warning and ".pd" extension in the Links panel.
5. Relink to the original PDF → the object scales massively.Mac model: iMac Pro (2017)
Processor: 3.2 GHz 8-Core Intel Xeon W
Graphics: Radeon Pro Vega 64X 16 GB
Memory: 64 GB 2666 MHz DDR4
macOS: 15.7.2 (24G325)
Illustrator version: 30.0