topic Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025 in ArcGIS Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud Questions

Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

DaveWiosna — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 13:16:38 GMT

After updating to Adobe Illustrator 2025 (version 29.0), the ArcGIS map extension will not open. It returns a "missing required components" error and prompts to run repair and restart Illustrator after repair is complete:

But after running repair, it comes up with the same error. Fortunately, I can go back to the previous version of Illustrator and the extension works just fine. I'm guessing the extension needs an update to work correctly with the new version of Illustrator. Can we get that, please? I really don't want to keep using the old Adobe version.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

RClavero — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 06:29:33 GMT

Hello @DaveWiosna, seeing your post my first reaction has been to check the software requirements and it doesn't seem version 29.0 is supported yet. But I'm not using the extension, so you might want to double-check this with Esri Support.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

Xingdong_Zhang — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 18:58:23 GMT

@DaveWiosna We can reproduce the repair function issue internally and are investigating the problem. The current version of ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.7 supports Illustrator 2024 through version v28.7.1. The team is currently working on a new release that fully supports Illustrator 2025 (v29). The new version will come soon.

In the meantime, you can still run v3.7 on your Illustrator 2025 (v29) at your own risk. After you upgrade Illustrator to v29, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.7 to resolve the repair problem. Hope this helps.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

CC_Chapman — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:45:42 GMT

Since this is probably a temporary issue while they work on a new release for ArcGIS Maps for Adobe, I'm using Illustrator v28.7.x to open my .AIX files. Once I save them as .Ai files, I go back to Illustrator v29.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

Maria22 — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 16:10:48 GMT

I have the same issue. I tried uninstalling and reinstaling ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.7, but stilll have the same issue unfortunately. And don't have access to older versions of Illustrator now, due to company policies.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

Ashley_kuhn — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 19:43:50 GMT

Hi @Maria22 sorry you are experiencing this issue. To help us investigate this further would you be able to give us details on your system’s environment? (windows 10, 11, mac etc.)

Also, I have a couple questions that will help us troubleshoot.

What order did you run the installation process? Did you first install Illustrator 2025 and then try reinstalling ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.7?

Where are your installation folders located? The default is generally C:\Program Files\

When installing ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.7, are you installing for "Anyone who uses this computer" or "Only for me"?

We can also set up a zoom call to help get it working for you.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

Maria22 — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 08:55:02 GMT

Thank you Ashley. I have a colleague who's Illustrator still hasn't updated, so I will get him to help me in the meantime, and I can wait until the update release mentioned by XingdongZhang. But just for your info, I'm running Windows 10 Enterprise. Illustrator 2025 got installed first, and then I uninstalled my old ArcGIS for Adobe (when I realised it wasn't working), downloaded v3.7 and installed that in the default path for "anyone who uses this computer".

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

BradW — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 14:24:51 GMT

We also recently noticed that the ArcGIS Maps for Adobe plugin is failing to work now (Oct 25th 2024). We also tried reverting back to version 28.7.1 and Illustrator still does not recognize .AIX files. We also attempted to "repair" the extension, as it prompted us that the extension was missing a required component, but it did nothing to resolve the issue.

This is incredibly frustrating as many government agencies, including ours, use this Adobe function to produce maps for the public. We're basically at a stand still until ESRI and Adobe can update the plugin to serve version 29.0.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

Ashley_kuhn — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 16:44:12 GMT

@BradW Have you tried uninstalling ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.7 and doing a fresh install?

I also have some questions to help us troubleshoot.

What is your system’s environment? (windows 10, 11, mac etc.)

What order did you run the installation process? Did you first install Illustrator 2025 and then try reinstalling ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.7?

Where are your installation folders located? The default is generally C:\Program Files\

When installing ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.7, are you installing for "Anyone who uses this computer" or "Only for me"?

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

BradW — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 18:42:20 GMT

Hey, Ashley.

We’re running Windows 11 64-bit OS. The order was first installing compatible version of illustrator and then the plugin from the Adobe Creative Cloud plugin menu.

However, we just tried uninstalling everything, going back to Adobe Creative Cloud page, reinstalling illustrator version 28.7.1, then installing the ArcGIS Maps for Adobe plugin from the ESRI site, not from Adobe’s Creative Cloud page. After doing this exact sequence, it seems to recognize .AIX files now.

ESRI Link: https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/maps-for-adobecc/downloads#getstarted

Hoping an updated plugin for version 29 is released soon, as I'm sure we won't be the only people experiencing this. Also hoping the two companies can give each other a proper heads up when updates are underway. This plugin is amazing for map making when it works.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

ChristopherMorgan5 — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 21:28:49 GMT

I'm having the exact same problem and cannot revert back to an older version of Illustrator. Very frustrating. Hopefully the update is posted soon.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

MarthaBostwick1 — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 20:54:23 GMT

Is there a solution in the works? I am unable to roll back to previous versions of Illustrator so must use the new release. Uninstalling/Reinstalling does not work, nor does running the repair process. After running the repair, I re-start Illustrator and still get this same error message.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

KeithWitt — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:50:42 GMT

Can you tell me how to download ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.7 so I can run it with Illustrator V28 or newer? I updated Illustrator and ArcGIS Maps for Adobe before discovering the installation problem and this thread, and did not keep Illustrator V27. Adobe will allow me to revert back only as far as Illustrator 28.0, but my latest version of ArcGIS Maps for Adobe (3.4) works only with Illustrator 2021 (v25.3.1) to 2023 (V27). This is very frustrating because we have lost our GIS to Illustrator workflow.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

Ashley_kuhn — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:35:41 GMT

Hi, you can download the latest ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.8 here - https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/maps-for-adobecc/downloads It is compatible with all Adobe CC versions 2023-2025.

Install instructions:

We recommend upgrading the the latest Illustrator v29.
After installing Illustrator, install ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.8

Here is a resource on the software requirements - https://doc.arcgis.com/en/maps-for-adobecc/latest/install/requirements.htm

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

Ashley_kuhn — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:40:40 GMT

Hi, you can download the latest ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.8 here - https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/maps-for-adobecc/downloads It is compatible with all Adobe CC versions 2023-2025.

Install instructions:

We recommend upgrading the the latest Illustrator v29.
After installing Illustrator, install ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.8

Here is a resource on the software requirements - https://doc.arcgis.com/en/maps-for-adobecc/latest/install/requirements.htm

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

KeithWitt — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 14:47:07 GMT

I successfully installed Illustrator v29 and ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.8 but only after installing it "Only for me" instead of the default "Anyone who uses this computer". That option was discussed in an earlier comment but not included in the solution or the latest suggestions, so others may want to try that.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

ColleenMiller2 — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 20:23:50 GMT

That worked for me as well. Uninstalled the ArcGIS Maps for Adobe 3.8. Reinstalled using the "Only for me" option. Rebooted and was up and running using Illustrator v29.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

Ashley_kuhn — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:43:33 GMT

Thanks @KeithWitt and @ColleenMiller2 for posting your solution. We are not able to reproduce the issue you are experiencing installing with “Anyone who uses this computer”. Would you be able to give us some more details on your computer’s environment and installation folders? We will keep looking into this.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

SHK_ESRIuser85 — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 03:19:35 GMT

Is this fixed yet?? It's been months. It's not unreasonable for the amount of $$ people and orginizations spend on this, that you all would be able to update your products appropriately.

Re: Unable to use ArcGIS extension in Illustrator 2025

FourCornersMapping — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 18:15:30 GMT

Perhaps related, perhaps not. I was unable to open any aix file if the Pro layout had halos in text elements. I tried uninstalling the extension as well as uninstalling AI and reinstalling different versions of each. Nothing worked until I removed all halos from text in ArcGIS Pro. AI just hung on the "working on your file" screen for ages until I forced it to close. I am aware that halos aren't supported in this workflow, but a more useful error message would be nice for troubleshooting. Or, even better, support halos in the Pro to AI workflow!