![]() If you have Adobe Illustrator, the easiest way to convert a file to EPS or SVG is simply to save it from Illustrator in one of those formats. We’ll look at two different ways to convert the file. Likewise, if you’ve been given an AI file that you can’t open, you may need to convert it so you’ll be able to open and work with the file. If you’re going to be passing an AI file on to other people who may not have Illustrator, you might want to convert it to EPS or SVG format for improved compatibility. Other vector file formats like EPS and SVG are more compatible with a wide range of software and applications. Converting Files in AI Format To EPS or SVG Like Photoshop, GIMP can open AI files, but vector graphics will be rasterized during the process. GIMP, a free Photoshop alternative, is also pixel-based. ![]() Instead, it will use pixels as a bitmap image and will lose the ability to scale to any size without pixelating. Adobe Photoshop is capable of opening AI files, but the image will be rasterized, which means it will no longer be a vector image. Photoshop is Adobe’s incredibly popular software for photo editing and pixel-based design. You can open AI files in Affinity Designer, as long as the AI file was saved with PDF content (which is the default setting in Illustrator). Affinity DesignerĪffinity Designer is another vector graphics program, but it’s unique because it can be used for raster-based design in addition to working with vectors. CorelDRAW simply opens the AI file and you can begin working with it. There’s no import process like what you get in Inkscape. If you have CorelDRAW, you can open AI files by going to File > Open. ![]() CorelDRAWĬorelDRAW is professional vector design software that’s probably the closest alternative to Adobe Illustrator. If you want to edit something individually, hit F2 to select the Edit Nodes tool and then click on the element you want to work with. When Inkscape opens an AI file, all of the elements will be grouped together. Generally, the EPS format is more appropriate for files that will be printed and SVG is better for images that will be used online. Both of those formats are widely supported. If you’ll be sharing the file with someone who uses a vector editing app other than Adobe Illustrator, you may want to save the file in EPS or SVG format for greater versatility. As long as you continue to use Illustrator, there’s no need to use a different file format. The AI format is the best choice for the working copy of your files when you’re designing in Illustrator. Likewise, saving in formats other than AI will typically flatten the image, losing the layers. If you were to save the file in SVG format, only the active artboard would be saved, and anything that’s not on the active artboard would be lost. ![]() When the file is opened in Illustrator in the future, all of the data in the file is accessible, and all layers are intact. When you use the AI format, all of the information and features from the file will be retained. There are other vector formats and file types like EPS, SVG, and PDF, but if you’re working in Adobe Illustrator, it makes sense to save your files in the AI format. Illustrator users typically save their graphics in AI format, primarily because it’s the default option when you’re saving an Illustrator file. That work is typically saved in AI format, but Illustrator users do have the option to save or export to other file formats as well. Graphic designers typically use Illustrator to create logos, icons, illustrations, drawings, and other digital artwork. Vector.ĪI files are single-page documents, as opposed to the PDF format, which can be used for multi-page documents. For more details on the differences, please see Raster vs. Raster or bitmap images, on the other hand, that use pixels will become blurry and lose sharpness if they’re enlarged beyond the original size. Instead, vectors use lines, shapes, curves, and colors to create scalable images that will remain sharp at any size. As a vector format, AI files do not use pixels. ai) is the proprietary format of Adobe Illustrator, the design industry’s leading software for creating professional vectors and illustrations. Have you been given an AI file by a designer or colleague and you’re not sure how to open it or what to do with it? You may be asking yourself, “What is an AI File?” We’ll answer all the common questions surrounding the AI file format to help you access them and use them as intended.
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