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Is there a way to save an Illustrator file as pdf without the canvas? Somehow, when I save as pdf I always end up having the "whole" canvas saved with it. In contrary, when I export to, lets say png, I only get the actual drawn object.

Is there a possibility to save as pdf, because it will be a vector graphic instead of pixel, with only drawn object?

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  • Not that I am aware of but how are you reusing the PDF afterwards? If you are importing it in InDesign, you can easily remove the canvas.
    – curious
    Apr 12, 2014 at 15:14
  • I want to use the figure in LaTeX, therefore would prefer vector graphics. Apr 12, 2014 at 15:20
  • Can't LaTeX import EPSes? If you want a vector image, why would you export as PDF? Apr 12, 2014 at 16:05
  • I felt that the old title was misleading. I left the pdf part there, but all and all I did feel like this was just about trimming the white space and nothing to do with pdf specifically. Feel free to change it back if you think the new title is not fitting.
    – Joonas
    Apr 12, 2014 at 17:13

1 Answer 1

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Probably, you would like this way

click on menu item Object->Artboards->Fit to Artwork Bounds and after that File->Save As... PDF as usual.

If you want artboard size back - just press Command-Z or if you on Win Control-Z after saving.


The same result you can achieve by pressing Shift-O (or clicking on the artboard icon) and choosing the option as on the picture -

enter image description here

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  • Nice! Didn't know of the artboard tool. Apr 12, 2014 at 15:23

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