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Convert layered PDF to layered AI

Does anybody know a workaround for exporting the individual layers (OCG's) of a PDF to Adobe Illustrator?

The only method I know is to manually turn off all but one layer and then use the Edit Objects Tool to open the selection in Illustrator - then repeat for next layer and so on.

This is not a big problem for a small number of layers but a complete nightmare for hundreds of layers!

Even a quick method to select all objects on a selected layer would be very useful. Another useful alternative would be to save out each layer as a PDF.

Any ideas would be welcome - thanks.


Stephen Phillips


2 Answers

Layers in PDF files are different than layers in Illustrator or Photoshop. That's the reason that there is no direct way to import a layered PDF into Illustrator.

What you suggest would be possible in a custom plug-in, if you are interested in having something like this developed, feel free to get in touch with me via email.

Karl Heinz Kremer
PDF Acrobatics Without a Net
PDF Software Development, Training and More...
http://www.khkonsulting.com


Karl Heinz Kremer   

Hello,
I tried mannually something that proved to be effective.
I opened each layer of the PDF in Adobe Pro, selected all elements of said layer (turning visibilities on and off) and selected Edit in Illustrator. I kept this original AI file as a base. In it, I created a new layer and pasted in place the other PDF layers, following the same procedure.

i.e.:
I repeated the procedure with the second layer of the PDF in Adobe Pro, selected elements of second layer, selected Edit in Illustrator. I then selected all elements of this new Illustrator file, cut them and pasted them *in place* in the new layer of the base Illustrator file.
On and on.

Hope it helps!


Luis Nakajo   

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