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Placing files


    The Place command places files from other applications into Illustrator. Files can be embedded, or included in, the Illustrator file, or they can be linked to the Illustrator file. Linked files remain independent of the Illustrator file, resulting in a smaller Illustrator file. Depending on a preference you set for updating links, the linked image in the Illustrator file may change when the artwork in the linked file changes.

    By default, the Link option is selected in the Place dialog box. If you deselect the Link option, the artwork is embedded in the Adobe Illustrator file, resulting in a larger Illustrator file. The Links palette lets you identify, select, monitor, and update objects in the Illustrator artwork that are linked to external files. (See Managing linked and embedded images.)

    Placed bitmap images can be modified using transformation tools and image filters; placed vector artwork is converted to Illustrator paths (embedded images only).

    If you place a Photoshop file and deselect the Link option, the Photoshop Import dialog box appears. For information on options in the Photoshop Import dialog box, see Opening Photoshop files in Illustrator.

    Note: Do not place EPS files containing mesh objects or transparency objects if it was created in an application other than Illustrator. Instead, open the EPS file, copy all objects and then paste in Illustrator.

To place and link files created by other applications:

  1. Open the Illustrator file into which you want to place the artwork.
  2. Choose File > Place.
  3. Locate and select the file you want to place. If you don't see the name of the file you want, the file has been saved in a format that Illustrator cannot read.
  4. Do one of the following:
    • To create a link between the artwork file and the Illustrator file, make sure the Link option is selected in the Place dialog box.
    • To embed the artwork in the file deselect the Link option in the Place dialog box.
    • To create a template layer using the file, select Template.
    • To replace an existing placed file, select Replace. (This option is only available if you select the file to be replaced before choosing File > Place.)
  5. Click Place. The artwork is placed into the Illustrator file as either a linked or an embedded image, depending on the option you selected in the Place dialog box.