Illustrator saved pdf files open as blank

[Gray_Dederer@adobeforums.com]

Recently, illustrator CS files saved as pdf's open as blank. Not sure how to track down the cause of this.

[Gray_Dederer@adobeforums.com]

Any suggestions?

[Brie_Engelen@adobeforums.com]

I just ran into this problem myself. I have acrobat version 6, and Illustrators Default is set to 5. I changed the PDF presets- under edit - to version 6. I then opened it in Adobe and it was still blank. Feeling very irritated at this point, I clicked on the layers tab only to see that the two options, "guides" and "crop marks" only had one eye ball. I clicked on the empty space next to guides to make the eye appear and my document magically showed up. Not sure why this happened or how to permanently fix it, but I feel your pain.

[Jacob_Bugge@adobeforums.com]

Gray and Brie,

If you open View, does it say:

Show Edges or Hide Edges (it should show Hide)?
Show Bounding Box or Hide Bounding Box (it should show Hide)?

If both say Hide and you are still stuck, try renewing your AIPrefs file (see FAQ # 4).

[Debbie_McDonald@adobeforums.com]

Hello,

I just tried both suggestions and still blank? Everything on hide edge/bound box and deleated aipref file. Help?

[Jacob_Bugge@adobeforums.com]

Debbie, Gray, and Brie,

I have just realized a possible cause/solution:

You may start by selecting File (Alt+F) and see whether Print is greyed out. It probably is, meaning that there is no printable artwork showing within the work area.

See whether the name(s) of the layer(s) with your unprintable artwork is(are) in italics; this shows that the layer is prevented from printing.

If so, open the Options box (right arrow>Options for "") and tick Print.

If you select File again, Print should be active, and you should be able to PDF.

Please feedback: others have been stuck and remained so.

PS: I believe that layers may become unprintable without your unticking the Print option, maybe this is a rare bug.

[Unregistered]

The original discussion is going back a while now, but thanks so much for the help, Jacob... I couldn't figure this out.
The only thing I would add is that I needed to left-click on the top-right corner of the Layers Window, which then gave me access to the 'Options for "THE SPECIFIC LAYER YOU CAN'T PRINT"'...

In my case it was a CD Manufacturer's Template file I was working with, and this actually made me realize that this was done on purpose, i.e., the artwork was to go on a separate, printable layer, while their template outlines would be visible but wouldn't print. I'm sure a lot of companies do this, but I hadn't come across this yet.