Changing an embedded image to a linked file..

[Navarro_Parker@adobeforums.com]

Is there a way I can change an embedded file into a linked file (and vice versa)? Is there a way I can edit an embedded file? It seems like a one-way operation. Once a file is embedded, it's there forever until you delete it.

[Dee Holmes]

In the links pallet, go to file replace and there's a check box to link. If you have the original file. If not export it to Photoshop or similar program.

This is in AI10.03, not sure if it's the same for CS.

[Rene_Garneau@adobeforums.com]

There are a couple of ways you can un-embed a picture from Illustrator.

You can save the Illustrator file as a pdf (at the resolution you'd think it was rasterized - I guess) and from Photoshop go to File > Import > pdf image.

Photoshop will open the image only (if there was text in the pdf it will disregard it).

The other way is to find the size of the image in pixels (in Illustrator 8 you'd select the embedded image > File > Selection info > Embedded images); open a new document in Photoshop at that size and copy and paste the embedded image in Photoshop.

Hope that helps.

[Kurt_Gold@adobeforums.com]

Take also a look at Wolfgangs Javascript:

-> <http://digbig.com/4bfcr>

[Gary_Newman@adobeforums.com]

You can easily recover an embedded image by isolating it on its own layer, turning off visibility on all the other layers, and saving as a PDF file. Then, in Photoshop, Import the PDF image. All information from the original file, including resolution, is retained.

[Dee Holmes]

Excellent idea, thanx Gary!

[Douglas_Habben@adobeforums.com]

Don't forget about Scoop (download here <http://share.studio.adobe.com/axBrowseSubmit.asp?c=121>) which will extract multiple selected images or all images in the document at the correct resolution as TIFF files and automatically link them.

[p13@adobeforums.com]

I usually just select the embedded image, copy it, open a new Photoshop document (it should automatucally set to the correct size) and paste the image into it. Then I resave and re-place the image in Illustrator.

Hope that helps...

-P.

[Gary_Newman@adobeforums.com]

p13 - Better test that one a little more. Sets the correct size, yes, but I don't think the copy/paste idea keeps the correct resolution, especially if the image has been scaled in Illustrator.