.tmp files

[JWright517@adobeforums.com]

I know what .tmp files are but can someone tell me why it will replace my regular file and what I can do (if anything) to stop it.

Example: I name a file Cushion. I call this file up to make changes and save the file. In the folder I have a AI_____.tmp file and my cushion file is gone.

I don't keep these .tmp files and I keep losing my work. Any Suggestions?

Thanks
JWright

[BobHill@adobeforums.com]

J.

TMP files should be stored in TEMP folder. Where are you storing your Save As files? Is this where your file is missing? Also, of course, Illustrator Open shouldn't even see any .tmp file that may be in that folder, much less open it. Perhaps if you explained how you creat a file and pick where it'll be stored, then how you open Illustrator files (or try to) it might help. What is your system? What version of Illustrator?

Bob

[JWright517@adobeforums.com]

Sorry for the delay, my machine has been down. I am working on a PC in Windows XP Professional using Ill. 10.

When I create a new file, I do just a save and give it a name. I usually save as Illustrator .eps files. The problem occurs when I re-open that file later. (I double click the file to open). While I am working in this file it will save .tmp files in the same folder as the original file. Sometimes it will delete the name of my original file and I don't realize it until I go back to that file and it is gone. All my files for work are usually saved in "My Documents" in individual folders according to the job. The problem is not that Ill. opens the .tmp files. It's that it deletes my original file for the .tmp file. I have to constantly check and count whats in a folder to try and keep from losing my job.

I have had major problems with my PC and Dell had me reformat my hard drive. I have put everything back on and I was hoping this would correct my problem with Illustrator files but it has not. I do not have this problem with Adobe Photoshop files.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

JWright

[BobHill@adobeforums.com]

J.

Windows makes a TMP file of all work (regardless of program) and it's put into one of your System Folders (depending on what version of Widnows you are using). It's only active when you have the program and file working. When you Save and close the file, it's TMP file is automatically (or should be if all is well and proper) deleted and not saved. Unlike CorelDraw, which you can set to keep a file you open as a BAK.cdr file (and put where you want it) as well as Windows .tmp file, Illustrator only has the .tmp file in case of a system problem. Supposedly you just change the .tmp to .ai and it should open (I've found usually it doesn't when on prior versions there were far more freeze problems than now).

Bob

[JWright517@adobeforums.com]

Thanks. I guess I still must have a conflict somewhere. It definitely saves these .tmp files in the same folder as the original and it does not delete them after I have closed out of everything. I can also open the .tmp file without having to change the .tmp to .ai or .eps. My main concern is that I am losing my work because I don't keep these .tmp files and it may be days before I go back to the original and ... it's gone.

Thanks for the help anyway.
Janet

[BobHill@adobeforums.com]

J.

I'll bet the file is not gone if you truly saved it. But I suspect you have actually not saved it in the folder you think you did. Have you tried to do a search for the file, if you can remember it's name? Also what do you get if you open Illustrator and click on File\Open Recent Files Option?

Bob

[JWright517@adobeforums.com]

I am pretty sure I am saving it in the correct folder because I go back there and its there. I make change, do just a save (control S), leave the folder and a few days later go back and its gone.

I have done a search and the file did not come up. But I will try the Open recent files in Illustrator, next time it happens.

Thanks
Janet

[BobHill@adobeforums.com]

Janet,

Opening files via the double click is a Windows option and only works if the file extension is associated properly (by Windows) to the proper program. Do you have more than one version of Illustrator on your system? It's possible that the association of the file extension isn't as sticky to your Illustrator program as it should be. Since you have to launch Illustrator in the first place even if you use the double click filename method, why not have the Illustrator Shortcut more handy and just click that first, then open your file within it? You can have the icon on QuickLaunch, Desktop, of course, and Start menu list which makes it about as handy as it gets. If you are saving your files to your desktop (and not accessing them via Explorer) you are aware that all desktop files is chewing up resources, aren't you? Even when not being used.

Bob