Can't open an Illustrator 8 legacy file with Illustrator 10

[duvesse]

I have an AI 8 legacy file and I'm experiencing problems opening the artwork with Illustrator 10.

When I open the file, the artboard is completely empty, but shows the layers on the side. Any ideas how to resolve this problem?

Many thanks in advance!

[JaneT]

Hi duvesse,

If you like, you can attach the AI 8 legacy file to a post, and I can download it and see if I can open it. I am running AI CS2 though, but I can save it as a AI 10 file for you easily enough.

Are you using Windows or a Mac OS? Was the file saved using AI 8, or was it saved as a legacy from a newer version of AI? Are there any objects in the layers palette at all?

cheers
Jane

[duvesse]

Hi Jane,

Thank you so much for your quick reply!  It's actually for a colleague of mine and she's using the windows version.  I have a feeling it was saved as a legacy from AI CS but will check with her to see if she knows.

I'll ask her to send it to me asap and then I'll post it.

Many thanks again!

D

[duvesse]

Hi Jane,

My colleague told me that the artist who originally created these first sent the files as .sit (MAC) and then she asked him to send them as EPS, but those didn't open as well.  They then sent her these in legacy illustrator 8 version, in full color.

If there's anything you could do to make these files legible, I would truly appreciate it!

Many thanks!

D

[JaneT]

Hi duvesse,

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see anything in those .ai files either. I'm not really sure what's going on. Adrian had a look at the files, and they were created in 1993!

Any chance you could post the original .sit files? We could try extracting them (.sit is a kind of zip archive for Macintosh computers) and see if we can find anything inside.

cheers
Jane

[duvesse]

Jane,

You're so patient with me, I can't thank you enough!  I've just sent my colleague a note to forward me those
.sit files and will post them asap!

Many thanks!

D

Update:
Sorry for the delay Jane! my colleague unfortunately deleted the first email with the .sit files (!) and is trying to get a hold of the original designer who seems to be (conveniently) out of the office!  She does have EPS versions of the same files, however, they are also opening blank! 

Not sure when she'll get back to me at this point, so I don't wish to waste any more of your time.  You've been very kind and helpful and I thank you very much!

Best,
D