You can import (or more accurately, place) an Illustrator (.ai) file into another Illustrator file using the Place command. Here's how:
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Go to File > Place... In the Illustrator document where you want to import the other file, navigate to the "File" menu at the top of the screen and select "Place...".
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Select the Illustrator File: A file selection window will appear. Browse to the location of the Illustrator (.ai) file you wish to import and select it.
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Choose Placement Options (Optional): In the "Place" dialog box, you'll usually see options like "Link," "Template," etc.
- Link: If you select "Link," Illustrator will create a link to the original file. Any changes made to the original file will be reflected in the document where you placed it. This keeps the file size down and allows for efficient updates.
- Embed (Uncheck Link): If you uncheck "Link," the contents of the file will be embedded directly into your current Illustrator document. This increases the file size but ensures that the graphic will always be available even if the original file is moved or deleted. The document will no longer be connected to the original .ai file.
- Template: Not typically used for importing, but useful if you want to trace the placed document.
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Place the Graphic: Click "Place." Your cursor will change, usually indicating you're ready to place the graphic. Click on the artboard where you want to place the graphic. You can also click and drag to define the size and location simultaneously.
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Adjust the Graphic: Once placed, you can use the Selection tool (black arrow) to move, resize, or rotate the placed graphic. Click and drag the bounding box handles to resize, and click and drag anywhere inside the box to move the graphic.
Summary of Steps:
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | File > Place... | Opens the "Place" dialog box. |
| 2 | Select .ai File | Browse to and select the Illustrator file you want to import. |
| 3 | Choose "Link" or Embed | Decide whether to link to or embed the file. Linking is generally preferred for keeping file sizes small. |
| 4 | Click or Drag to Place | Click on the artboard to place the graphic at its original size, or click and drag to define the size and position. |
| 5 | Use Selection Tool to Adjust | Use the Selection tool to move, resize, or rotate the placed graphic. |
Placing an Illustrator file into another is a common way to combine artwork or reuse existing elements in new designs.
