Unlinking an image in Adobe Illustrator can be a useful skill to have, especially when you want to remove the link to the original image file and make changes directly in your Illustrator document. Unlinking an image can also reduce the file size of your Illustrator document, making it easier to share and collaborate with others. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step process of unlinking an image in Adobe Illustrator.
Step 1: Open your Illustrator document
First, open the Illustrator document containing the linked image that you want to unlink. This could be a new document or an existing one. You should be able to identify the linked image by looking for a small icon in the Layers panel, indicating that the image is linked and not embedded.
Step 2: Select the linked image
Using the Selection Tool (V), click on the linked image to select it. You will know that the image is selected when a bounding box appears around it.
Step 3: Open the Links panel
To access the Links panel, go to Window > Links. This will open a panel that displays all the linked files in your Illustrator document, along with their file paths and other relevant information.
Step 4: Unlink the image
In the Links panel, you will see the linked image listed. Select the linked image in the Links panel and then click on the “Unlink” button at the bottom of the panel. This will remove the link to the original image file and convert it into an embedded image.
Step 5: Make changes as needed
Now that the image is unlinked, you can make any necessary changes to it directly within Illustrator. This could include adjusting the size, color, or any other modifications you wish to make.
Step 6: Save your document
Once you have made all the desired changes to your image, be sure to save your Illustrator document. This will ensure that all your modifications are preserved.
In conclusion, unlinking an image in Adobe Illustrator is a simple process that can be done through the Links panel. This allows you to make changes directly to the image within Illustrator and reduces the file size of your document. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily unlink images in Illustrator and make the necessary adjustments to your designs.
