This document describes how to enable and run a special mode in Adobe Illustrator that can be used to troubleshoot inoperable documents. The document recovery feature resaves the Illustrator document so that it can be reviewed in a text editor. Document recovery deletes bad data, enabling Illustrator to open the document.
This procedure is not simple. Perform it with care, and at your own risk to your files. Always work on a backup of your files when using this method.
Perform the following steps to enable a special content recovery mode in your current version of Illustrator:
Mac: <user name>/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator [version] Settings/en_US/Adobe Illustrator Prefs Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Application Data\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [version] Settings\en_US\AIPrefs Windows Vista: C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [version] Settings\en_US\AIPrefs Windows 7: C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [version] Settings\en_US\AIPrefs
Note (for Windows OS): If you cannot see the folder ensure that Windows shows hidden files. For more information, see Show hidden files, folders, and filename extensions | Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 (kb402324).
/aiFileFormat { /PDFCompatibility 1 enableATEReadRecovery 0 /enableContentRecovery 0 /enableATEWriteRecovery 0 /clipboardPSLevel 3 }
/enableContentRecovery 1
For each file you believe is damaged, perform the following steps:
In the Finder or Windows Explorer, look in the same directory that contained the original file. Look for a duplicate copy of it preceded by an underscore. For example, open "MyFile.ai" and see a new file named "_MyFile.ai". This recovery-enabled version of the file can be opened in a text editor for modifications.
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