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What Is an AI File?

How to open, edit, and convert AI files

By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 15, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

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Expand Jump to a Section What Is an AI File How to Open AI Files How to Convert an AI File More Information on the AI Format Still Can't Open the File? Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

An AI file is an Adobe Illustrator Artwork file. Open one with Illustrator or for free with Inkscape. Convert to PNG, JPG, SVG, etc. with Zamzar or those same programs. This article explains what AI files are, how to open one, and how to convert one to a different format like SVG, JPG, PDF, PNG, etc. so that it's compatible with other software.

What Is an AI File

A file with the .AI file extension is most likely an Adobe Illustrator Artwork file created by Adobe's vector graphics program called Illustrator. It's a proprietary file format developed and maintained by Adobe Systems. Instead of using bitmap image information, AI files store the picture as paths that can be resized without losing quality. The vector image is stored in either the PDF or EPS format but the AI file extension is used since the Adobe Illustrator program is the primary software that creates files in this format. AIT files are similar but are Illustrator Template files used for making multiple, similarly designed AI files. If your AI file isn't an Adobe Illustrator Artwork file, it might instead be a Battlefield 2 Artificial Intelligence file. If so, it has nothing at all to do with vector images but is instead a plain text document that holds the properties for how certain game elements work. AI is also the common abbreviation for artificial intelligence, but it, of course, has nothing specific to do with Adobe Illustrator.

How to Open AI Files

Adobe Illustrator is the primary program used to both create and open AI files. Some other applications that can work with Adobe Illustrator Artwork files include Adobe's Acrobat, Photoshop and After Effects programs, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, Canvas X, and Cinema 4D.
If the file doesn't have PDF Content saved within it, and you're using Photoshop to open it, you might get a message that says something like "This is an Adobe Illustrator file that was saved without PDF Content." If this happens, return to Adobe Illustrator and make the file again, but this time choose the Create PDF Compatible File option. Some free AI openers include Inkscape, Scribus, ideaMK's Ai Viewer, and sK1. Another is Photopea, a free image editor that runs in your browser (no download necessary). So long as the file is saved with PDF compatibility, some others include Preview (the macOS PDF viewer) and Adobe Reader. Battlefield 2 is used to open AI files associated with that game, but you probably can't open the file manually from within the game. Instead, it probably resides somewhere special so that the software can refer to the AI file on an as-needed basis. That said, you can most likely edit it with a free text editor.

How to Convert an AI File

The AI openers from above can convert an AI file to a number other similar formats. Use Illustrator's File > Save As menu to save the AI file to FXG, PDF, EPS, AIT, SVG or SVGZ, or File > Export if you want to convert AI to DWG, DXF, BMP, EMF, SWF, JPG, PCT, PSD, PNG, TGA, TXT, TIF, or WMF. Photoshop lets you open an AI file through File > Open, after which you can save it to PSD or any other file format supported by Photoshop. If you don't want to buy or download a dedicated AI file viewer, you can still convert it with an online tool like Zamzar. With that website, the file can be converted to JPG, PDF, PNG, SVG, GIF, and a number of other formats.

More Information on the AI Format

Some programs can only open AI files that are older than a certain version. For example, the free Inkscape program can import Adobe Illustrator 8.0 files and below only with UniConvertor installed. The AI format used to be called PGF but isn't related to the Progressive Graphics File format that uses the .PGF file extension.

Still Can' t Open the File

The .AI file extension is really short and contains two very common letters. This makes it easy to confuse it with other similarly spelled file extensions that have nothing to do with either Adobe Illustrator or Battlefield 2. AIR is one example, as is the INTUS Audio Archive format that uses the IAA file extension. Neither of these file formats has anything to do with formats that use the AI file extension. Another example is AIA; this one can be a little confusing. This file extension might be used for MIT App Inventor Source Code files used with MIT App Inventor or it might actually be an Adobe Illustrator Action file that's used to automate steps in Illustrator. FAQ How do you create an .AI file? Open Adobe Illustrator, and select File > New to create a new project. Once you're finished creating, head to file File > Save to save your project as an .AI file. What are .AI files used for? Vector files like .AI files are most often used in graphic design in the context of graphics and logo creation. Artists create graphics in Illustrator in the form of .AI files and then export them to common filetypes like .PNG for actual use. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire AIT File (What It is and How to Open One) DWG File (What It Is and How to Open One) FH10 and FH11 Files (What They Are and How to Open Them) WPD File (What It Is & How to Open One) SVG Files: What They Are and How to Open & Convert Them ACV File (What It Is & How to Open One) ARW File (What It Is & How to Open One) PCT File (What It Is & How to Open One) GRD File (What It Is & How to Open One) AC3 File (What It Is & How to Open One) What Is a GIF? EPS File (What It Is and How to Open One) EAP File (What It Is and How to Open One) What Is a Gerber (GBR) File & How Do You Open One? DDOC File (What It Is & How to Open One) 9 Best Free Image Converter Software Programs Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies