Adobe Illustrator Could Not Find The Linked File [Solved]

F.A.Q.

Does this work in Adobe CS6?

Yes, thoroughly tested with Adobe Illustrator CS6, this application solves the problem quite well. Screenshots:

Will this work if some of the linked files are missing?

YES – This program will re-link all of the files it can find – even if one or more are not present.

If someone has sent me files created on a Windows PC, can I use this to re-link them on my Mac?

Absolutely! You can re-link all of Illustrator’s Linked Files independent of which platform created the Adobe Illustrator (ai) file initially.

What types of files can be re-linked?

All file types – including but not limited to: PNG, JPG / JPEG, GIF, BMP, PSD (Photoshop), PDF, EPS, and AI file extensions.

I use mac 10.6.8 and adobe CS6. Do you have positive feedback from anyone using CS6?

I wrote the application while using 10.6.8 before upgrading to 10.7 and then 10.8. It worked fine for me on all versions and no one who has purchased the application has ever complained that it wouldn’t run. I am currently using it with Adobe Illustrator CS6 and it works great. So far there have been three issues customers have had:

1) The application was unable to add in a linked resource – after investigation this turned out to be due to the resource being named with the incorrect extension – it was a JPG file that had a .PNG extension. This actually causes an error in Illustrator which prevented my application from completing its task. After renaming the file to the proper extension it worked fine.

2) Occasionally someone will find a file that has a special character in the path name that causes the application to fail. If you experience that issue I can usually provide a fix in about 24 hours.

3) If you are using an AFP fileshare from a mac with a G4 processor you may have to move the resource files to a local drive (try moving the project folder to your Desktop).

Does this work on Microsoft Windows based PCs (Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7)?

Not at this time, but please leave a comment below if you would like to be notified if I can ever get the Windows version working. (I tried to write a Windows version first ;)

I am a freelance designer, so I would be using your product for business. How much does a commercial version cost?

I’ve just rewrote the pricing section so that it is more clear. Basically, each person who uses the application should purchase it. What I hope won’t happen is for a design shop to purchase the application once and install it on all of their computers.

Do you have a physical address and a phone number?

I am happy to provide e-mail support unless an issue is overly complicated and then we can schedule a phone call. If you are not satisfied with the program please contact me and I will make sure we resolve any issues.

Do you provide a user guide with your “Adobe Illustrator Linked File” program?

The application is fairly straight forward – there isn’t any functionality that is not shown on the YouTube video / screencast. I try to keep my webpage updated with helpful information.

Would I be able to “uninstall” the program if it causes any problems?

The application does not need to be “installed” – it is a single, self-contained `.app` file. You can store it wherever you like but most people would probably drag it to the Applications folder. To uninstall, just drag it to the trash.

Is there any chance that your program could cause any kind of problems on my computer?

I suppose there is no 100% guarantee for anything, but the application works by looking for missing files in your Adobe Illustrator (`.ai` file) and then scanning the folder (and subfolders) your specify to try and repair the links. It seems unlikely to me that this “read only” behavior would be able to cause any problems.

If I update my links with your program, then if I deinstall your program, will illustrator still be able to locate the linked files automatically?

Adobe Illustrator is that smart at handling linked files. If you move a project folder from one computer to another, chances are when you open the `.ai` project Adobe Illustrator won’t be able to located the linked resources. If you use this application to fix the linked files, then save the `.ai` file, the next the you open that Adobe Illustrator file on that system it will open just fine without asking to re-link the files – even if the program has been uninstalled. However, if you move your `.ai` project to another computer Adobe Illustrator will most likely ask you fix the links when you open it on that computer.

If I desire, am I able (via a preference setting) to change the default of three levels of folder searching to something else, like 1, 2, 4, 5, 10 etc. ? I realize that the more folders that it needs to look through, the longer it will take to find the linked files.

The app will actually search unlimited levels deep – so you can use it to search your entire hard drive. The “three levels” thing is where the default “open folder” dialog starts off. For example, if your illustrator file is in Projects->BigClient->Billboards->Spring->sprint01.ai when you run the application it will open an “open folder” dialog to the “BigClient” folder – three levels up from where the .ai file is stored. If you click “OK” the application will then search the “BigClient” folder and all subdirectories until it finds the matching resource or has completed the search of all files and subdirectories inside the “BigClient” folder – no matter how many levels deep.

I would like for your program to search through my entire hard drive and/or drives to find the missing links. However on my drives there may be mulitple files of the image with the same name. So it would be nice to be able to set a preference to find the either the MOST RECENT file, or to have a feature that would show me the linked file various locations and allow me to pick one of those links. Does that make sense?

This is not currently a feature but it is something that could be added to a future version, although I can’t promise you a date that this would be available. However, like everyone who purchases the application, future updates will be provided to you free of charge.

Is your program an illustrator plug-in, or a freestanding application?

It is a small freestanding application.

Can I move or rename the Adobe Illustrator relinking application?

Yes – you can move the application anywhere you choose (Applications folder, desktop, etc). You can rename it if you like. You can create a shortcut in your Dock (many people do that).

Do I need to change any System Preferences?

You may need to change the “Allow Applications” system preference under the “Security and Privacy” section: