Illustrator: Convert to link

Question

Is there a possibility to convert an object to be a linked file?

In my scenario I do have an object I exported earlier (so that it can later-on be placed as link). The file I exported it from of course still has the original in it which I would now like to be linked to its "exported self".

Of course I could just delete it and place it again, however this would mean that I would have to adjust position and everything again which I would like to save myself from if there happens to be a quicker way.

I was thinking of something like this: "convert to link > specify link-source > done"

I don't know if I have been dreaming, but I could've sworn I saw a similar functionality either in Illustrator itself or another Adobe program.

Answer 1

Illustrator has no commands to convert native objects to linked objects. You can't just randomly change an object to a linked object.

The only way to "convert to a link" is if the object is an embedded object to begin with (most often a raster object). Then you click the Unembed button in the control bar to convert it to a linked object. But this has no baring on objects which are created within the application.

You would have to use the Place command for anything to be a link... then you can update the link as necessary.

You may be able to script a workflow.. export, place export, align with original object, delete original object. Even without scripting, you could perform these tasks to get where you want to go.