Add Metadata To Files
Tips | July 9th, 2008
It is easy to add metadata such as authors, descriptions, keywords, copyright info, and more to your Illustrator files. To add metadata, go File > File Info, to bring up the File Info dialog. You can save your metadata as a Metadata Template from the top right arrow button in the dialog. Moreover, Illustrator automatically adds certain information like fonts, swatches and color groups each time you save.
This may be a dumb question, but what is the purpose of adding metadata to illustrator files? Who would use this option?
I work for a company that uses metadata to pass valuable information about the file down the line to catalog services.. information such as (tags about the content, what original assets were used in the design, etc…)
Grant,
It is just a layer of protection for your files. If you distribute files online or work multiple people it comes in handy.
From a designers perspective if you are working on a project and get a couple of eps and illustrator files, it is easy to contact the original illustrator if you have questions. The artwork you get from a client always seem to be two or three times removed from the original artist, and trying to go back the chain through the client isn’t always the more productive task.
From a Illustrator perspective, you safe guard you files somewhat from copyright infringement. This won’t always help someone that is determined to take your work, but it is a start.