Illustrator CC: File > Place (Place Multiple Files)

Illustrator get’s a better file place function in the latest version. It works a lot like InDesign, where you can place multiple files, cycle through them, discard them….etc And there is even a keyboard shortcut too.

• File > Place  [CMD+Shift+P]
• Select one, or multiple files
• Image previews will be displayed in the Place Gun (Loaded graphics icon). Use arrow keys to cycle through images and ESC to dismiss an image
• Click to place, or click and drag to place and size.