Linked images missing from PDF-compatible data in .ai files – still happening in 30.8.2 (macOS)
Environment
Illustrator 30.8.2, macOS 26.6.2 (Apple silicon)
Files on a local external SSD, not a network or cloud drive
"Create PDF Compatible File" on; images linked, not embedded
Issue
A large linked CMYK image (about 4,250 × 9,560 px, 8-bit, with transparency, around 120 MB) shows correctly in Illustrator. When the .ai is placed in another document, or read by other PDF software, that image is missing. Everything else in the file shows.
What I found when I inspected the saved file:
The native Illustrator data holds the placed image correctly: right path, position and scale.
The PDF-compatible part of the same file doesn't contain the image at all.
When the image was on its own layer, the PDF-compatible data had that layer, but empty.
Other linked PSDs in the same file were written normally. Only this image was dropped.
These made no difference:
Linking the PSD or a TIF version of the image
Deleting the extra alpha channel
Placing the image fresh on a new layer
Removing its clipping mask
Moving it fully inside the artboard
Deleting a second artboard
What fixed it:
Workaround: turn off Preferences → File Handling → "Save in background", then save again. The image then appears correctly.
Also works: File → Save a Copy as PDF includes the image.
Notes
The bug-tracker entry for this was marked fixed in 30.3. It still occurs in 30.8.2 with "Save in background" on.
Saved copies stay broken until re-saved with background save off, so affected files can go on to other apps or to print without anyone noticing.
Anonymous
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Anonymous
commented
Unfortunetly the file in question is NDA but I will try recreate in another file using none nda files.
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Tommy, do you mind sharing the files, to help the tea to investigate it?
Please send all of these to sharewithai@adobe.com, and mention the link to this report for tracking, https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447/suggestions/51740160
The option is rather wonky still, but since the problem doesn’t occur reliably, it might be file-realted — please assist.
