Choose Between Importing and Linking

Before you bring files into Illustrator, you need to decide whether to embed them or link them. Embedded images are saved in your Illustrator file as part of your illustration. Linked files remain independent files.

You have the option of linking or embedding imported artwork regardless of whether that artwork is bitmap art, another Illustrator file, or a file from another vector art program. However, there is usually not much reason to choose the link option for imported vector art, because there isn t the same need to preserve the ability to edit that art in another program.

Use Embedded Images

Embedding images is simpler and more reliable than linking them. Embedding is safer because you don t have to worry about sending a bunch of linked images along with your Illustrator file to a client, or about whether you ve broken links to images by changing your file folder structure in the process of transferring Illustrator files.

By not selecting the Link check box when you place an image in Illustrator, you embed the file. Images you copy and paste into Illustrator will be embedded, not linked.

You can convert linked objects to embedded images by selecting a linked file, either on the artboard or in the Links palette, and then choosing Embed Image from the Links palette menu.

Use Linked Images

Linked images are saved as separate files and must be transferred along with your Illustrator file. For example, if you use several linked images, and you save your Illustrator file to a zip drive, you must save the linked bitmaps to the same folder on the zip drive (or CD/R or whatever media you use).

The advantage of maintaining images as linked files is that you can more easily substitute different linked images. For instance, if a technical drawing includes a photo of a product that is frequently updated (while the drawing is not), you might choose to link the photo so that another file with the same name can easily be used in place of the original.

Caution

When you transfer an Illustrator file to a client, you should almost always embed images. Don't count on your client (or your printer) to accurately keep your Illustrator file and your associated image files together.