To change an image in Adobe Illustrator, you primarily relink it to a new source file. Here's how:
Relinking an Image in Illustrator
The most common way to "change" an image in Illustrator is to replace the existing image with a different one. This process is called relinking. Here are the steps:
- Select the Image: Using the Selection Tool (V), click on the embedded image you wish to change. This will highlight the image you have selected.
- Access the Relink Option: With the image selected, go to the top menu bar, click "Image," and then click the "Relink" icon. This action opens your system's file browser.
- Choose the New Image: In the file browser, navigate to the folder where your replacement image is located, and choose the desired new image file. Select it and click "Open".
- Image is Updated: Illustrator will then replace the original image with the new one, preserving the image's size, position, and any transformations you applied earlier.
Important Notes
- Embedded vs. Linked Images: Relinking is mostly used for embedded images. If you originally linked an image, changes to the original linked file outside of Illustrator automatically update in Illustrator.
- Maintain Position and Transformations: Relinking preserves the location, size, rotation, and scaling of your image in your document.
- Types of Changes: Besides relinking, you can also make edits to images directly in Illustrator, such as cropping, using the pen tool to reshape the image, or using effects.
Table Summary
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Image Selection | Select image using the Selection Tool (V) | Highlights the image to be changed. |
| 2. Access Relink Option | Click "Image" then "Relink" | Opens the file browser to choose the new image file. |
| 3. Select Replacement | Choose the new image from the file browser | Replaces the original embedded image with the selected replacement. |
By following these steps, you can effectively change images in Adobe Illustrator without losing layout or design elements.
