How do I convert a 60+ paged .pdf file into a workable .ai file where every page is laid out onto the .ai canvas? So that I can edit and output it later using page tiling.

Changing the file extension from .pdf to .ai does not seem do that; it simply lets me open separate pages. I want to see all pages into one flat canvas.

I am using Illustrator CS3 and Adobe Acrobat 9 Extended. Windows XP.

Guess, you'll have to open each page of the pdf, save as .ai, then set up the document to the right size and bring in the pages one by one...

Else, figure, you can set up the document and open the pdf page by page and do a copy and past into the new document.

Hope someone points out a faster route for you... and me

Thanks Jay!

I will bring in the pages one by one.

However when I place and embed the individual .pdf files into the large illustrator canvas, the editing capabilities is pretty screwed up. Words get chunked up and parts are in groups for no apparent reason.

However if I convert that .pdf file into .ai through change of file extension, then open it in illustrator, and I pick "Discard changes, preserving Illustrator editing capabilities", it is not screwed up anymore.

BUT the pictures embedded in the pdf just now now have to be relinked. I do not have the images in hand, gotta make do with the ones in the pdf.

So how can I use the pictures I could see in pdf to appear in Illustrator if I were to use the "Discard changes ..." method?

Bahari,

What happens if you save each page as an individual PDF, open each as a new document in Illy, and then copy/paste from those?

As far as I remember, CS4 should have the multipage option that seems to be needed, at least to make things easier. Can anyone with CS4 confirmthis?