You didn’t make the file, you don’t know exactly what’s in it, and you need it working in Illustrator today. Here’s the shortest route.
Step 1 – Inspect
Before any work, look at what the PDF actually contains: how many pages, and which layer types are detected. This single check tells you whether separation is worth it.
Step 2 – Separate
Each detected layer becomes its own clean, named PDF – spot, clear, cut, print, info. No manual reconstruction.
Step 3 – Import
Run a short import script in Illustrator (File > Scripts) and each separated file drops in as its own layer, ready to edit.
Three steps, no plugin, no subscription – and you only commit once you’ve seen what’s inside.