A program to open the .ai file. What is the AI format

The AI format is a special extension that stores information about an image in vector form. This is not a simple file, you can interact with it only through separate programs.

The AI format is a drawing saved in Adobe Illustrator (vector image editor). It consists of individual lines connecting dots, not a bitmap graphic.

AI format - what does it mean

Most often, such drawings are used to create logos or in the activities of print media. In such situations, it is the AI format that will be a priority. It was developed by Adobe Systems to display one-page vector images in EPS or PDF extension.
Since AI images are saved as vectors, they can easily be enlarged without losing quality. A whole range of third-party programs can work with the extension, but some of them rasterize the image (all vector information is converted to bitmap form).
File formats are organized in this way: first, an identifier string is written, then there is a heading, and at the end, the main part, in which definitions of graphic elements are entered. In the primary technology of the development company, the title is called "Prologue". It is composed of elementary and structuring comments. Further, after the "Prologue" comes the "Script Settings" part. It contains commands that specify the elements that make up the picture. Then there are the sections "Addition of the page" and "... document".
At the end of the files are a structuring comment. It announces to the program or display device that the information describing the object being rendered has ended.

Important! Opening a file is not so easy. In order to open an image in Adobe Photoshop, the file must first be saved with PDF content. If this does not happen, then some problems will arise. The editor, when trying to open it, will display a standard message: "This is an Adobe Illustrator file that was saved without PDF content." To work with other programs, the AI format must be re-saved through Illustrator with the additional note "Create PDF compatible file".

This is interesting! Initially, when developing the format, it was called not AI, but PGF. After that, a sufficient level of interoperability was achieved by embedding a full copy of the PGD information in the PDF format. A similar situation occurs when saving files that are compatible with the EPS extension (available in the latest versions of Illustrator software). The main advantage of the format is the preservation of the quality inherent in all vector images.

Additional uses for AI:

Artificial intelligence in the shooter game Battelfield 2. This is a game file in the AI extension used in the work. This military first person shooter stores all the data and instructions on how the PC and elements move and interact during the process. Saving takes place in text form. Scope of application: Games
In the Advantage Database Server dictionary as an index file. The specified program is a wide-functional, easy-to-use, server-side, relational database management system. It provides the user with an indexed version of sequential access based on tables and SQK, as well as access to information from Sybase (developer). Scope of application: other

How to open AI file? Programs for work

The method for opening files depends on the operating system you are using. Thus, when working with Windows and Mac OS with an extension, it is easiest to work through Adobe Illustrator. After all, it was designed specifically for this program. Interaction is also allowed through other developer applications (Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop CC).
Programs to open in Windows:

ideaMK AI Viewer
Serif Draw Plus
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X
IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe
inkscape
ACD Systems Canvas and others

On MacOS:

apple preview
ghostscript
inkscape
IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe v and others

The list of programs for opening AI on the Linux platform is not so large:

inkscape
skench
ghostscript

For iOS devices - Adobe Debut.

Is it possible to open AI online

Opening the file in a browser is quite problematic. That is, everything is different. The user visits a site that does not open the file, but converts it to another, more popular and readable format, such as PDF.

Online AI file converters

Most converters convert the AI file format into more readable and popular ones, most often JPG and PDF. Also, in such a situation, loss of quality is not ruled out (JPG - raster format, PDF - vector).
Converters:

Zamzar
Convertio and others

Working with AI in Adobe Illustrator: video

The video will help you quickly understand the system of work and opening files:

We hope we helped you solve the problem with the AI file. If you do not know where you can download an application from our list, click on the link (this is the name of the program) - you will find more detailed information regarding the place from where to download a safe installation version of the required application.

What else can cause problems?

There can be more reasons why you cannot open an AI file (not just the lack of an appropriate application).
Firstly- AI file may be incorrectly linked (incompatible) with the application installed to support it. In this case, you need to change this connection yourself. To do this, right-click on the AI file you want to edit, click the option "To open with" and then select the program you have installed from the list. After such an action, problems with opening the AI file should completely disappear.
Secondly- the file you want to open may simply be corrupted. Then, the best solution is to find a new version, or download it again from the same source as before (maybe for some reason in the previous session the download of the AI file has not been completed and it cannot be opened properly).

Do you want to help?

If you have additional information about the AI file extension, we will be grateful if you share it with the users of our site. Use the form provided and send us your information about the AI file.

The most common problem that prevents users from opening this file is an incorrectly assigned program. To fix this in Windows, you need to right-click on the file, in the context menu, move the mouse over the "Open with" item, and select the "Choose a program ..." item from the drop-down menu. As a result, you will see a list of installed programs on your computer, and you can select the appropriate one. We also recommend checking the box next to "Use this app for all AI files".

Another problem that our users also encounter quite often is that the AI file is corrupted. This situation can arise in many cases. For example: the file was not fully downloaded as a result of a server error, the file was damaged initially, etc. To fix this problem, use one of the recommendations:

Try to find the desired file in another source on the Internet. You may be lucky to find a better version. Google search example: "File filetype:AI" . Just replace the word "file" with the name you want;
Ask to send you the original file again, it may have been damaged during transfer;

- The extension (format) is the characters at the end of the file after the last dot.
- The computer determines the file type precisely by extension.
- By default, Windows does not show filename extensions.
- Some characters cannot be used in the file name and extension.
- Not all formats are related to the same program.
- Below are all the programs with which you can open the AI file.

XnView is a fairly powerful program that combines many functions for working with images. It can be a simple viewing of files, and their conversion, and minor processing. It is cross-platform, which allows it to be used in almost any system. The program is also unique in that it supports about 400 different image formats, among which there are both the most used and popular, and non-standard formats. XnView can batch convert images. True, they can only be converted into 50 formats, but among these 50 formats there are all popular extensions.

Blender is a 3d graphics program that differs from other utilities in that it is open source. This program was developed in one of the studios involved in 3d modeling, but after this studio went bankrupt, the program began to be distributed for free. Blender can run on almost any operating system. There are versions of the program even for little-known systems. The package itself includes tools that allow you to work with skeletal animation, layers, architectures, textures, etc. We must warn you that to work with this program, you must have basic knowledge of English ...

XnConvert is a useful utility for converting and pre-processing photos and images. Works with 400+ formats. Supports all popular graphic formats. With simple XnConvert tools, you can adjust brightness, gamma, and contrast. In the application, you can resize photos, apply filters and a number of popular effects. The user can add watermarks and retouch. Using the application, you can remove meta-data, crop files and rotate them. XnConvert maintains a log in which the user will see all the details of their recent image manipulations.

IrfanView is a free graphic file viewer that stands out for its small size and functionality. IrfanView supports a large number of formats, has a clear interface and the necessary set of functions. So, with its help, you can not only view images, but also rotate them at any angle, do a little color correction, remove red-eye from photos, etc. Also, using IrfanView, you can take screenshots (both of the entire screen and of individual areas), rip out icons and icons from various files, rename files according to a predefined template, and...

UniConvertor is a great app for people who draw in vector programs. The program is capable of converting vector image formats. Among the most significant vector formats UniConvertor can work in CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator. The utility supports work through the command line. sK1 object model was chosen for conversion. UniConvertor is actively used in Inkscape, Scribus projects as an external application for importing *cdr files. The program actively supports file import formats: *.cdr, *.cdrx, *.cmx, *.ps, *.ai, *.svg. Exports images to popular formats.

Zoner Photo Studio is a very useful editor for various images. Allows you to copy photos from any camera and immediately edit. Has a set of basic functions. Helps eliminate the "red-eye effect". Allows you to create vivid panoramic views and colorful calendars. The program helps to create your own photo gallery. Performs a quick search for the desired processed photo. Allows you to print pictures, send to social networks, by e-mail. It has four tabs that allow you to manage the program. Imports images, allows you to manage the archive of images on your computer.

Inkscape is an open source vector graphics editor similar in functionality to Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw, or Xara X and uses the W3C standard called Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). The program supports such SVG features as shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha channel, transformations, gradients, textures and grouping. Inkscape also supports Creative Commons metadata, node editing, layers, complex path operations, bitmap vectorization, text on a path, text wrapped in a shape, editing XML data directly, and more. It imports files in formats such as JP...

We will now discuss what the AI format is. We will deal with the purposes for which it was developed, and also talk about programs that will allow you to open it. The material will be useful to people working with vector graphics.

About extension

The AI format has files that are vector graphics created using the Adobe Illustrator software product. Because these images can grow without loss of quality, they are widely used in advertising, logos, and print media.

Separately, it should be noted that the AI format can be opened with programs such as Adobe InDesign or XnView. But in this case, the image will be converted to a raster format, which will lead to a loss of quality if the scale is changed. Adobe Reader and Adobe Photoshop support AI vector format only if the desired image was originally created in a PDF-compatible solution. About the programs necessary for interacting with the files of interest to us, we will talk further in more detail.

Unexpected meeting

In addition to the main one, it has an AI format and an additional interpretation. Although in this sense he is known only in special circles, he is also worthy of mention. Some files of the game called Battlefield 2 have this extension. This is a modern military first-person shooter.

Such a file contains settings, as well as instructions on how the units should behave in the created specific gameplay. This saves the material in a convenient text format, which allows you to modify it to make changes to the current gameplay.

AI format: how to open similar files

Since interaction with files of the second type takes place directly in the conditions of the game itself, we will dwell in more detail on the consideration of programs that allow AI to work with vector graphics. Of course, it’s worth starting with the already mentioned Adobe Illustrator.

The main purpose of this program is to develop layouts for a variety of printed products with a view to their subsequent publication. Thanks to the broad program has evolved into a universal product suitable for web developers, artists and designers. Among the strengths of the program: a clear, intuitive interface, the creation and collaboration of the required number of workspaces, a help system covering several sites that are completely dedicated to Adobe Illustrator, three-dimensional special effects, a variety of drawing tools. Implemented a large set of features that allow you to work with text. There are in-depth features for optimal printing.

Other programs

CorelDRAW can also work with the format we are interested in. This is a powerful graphics that was developed by Corel. With the help of the program, the user can work with various images, as well as create drawings, diagrams, graphics and diagrams.

Special mention deserves the ACD program, which will also help solve the problem. This software solution is a professional graphics package, its main specialization is vector graphics. Using the set of professional tools implemented in the product, you can perform any actions with your images. A special driver makes it possible to print any of their projects on any device while maintaining all the settings of the selected image.

Among other programs that support the desired vector format, it should be noted: Serif DrawPlus, Ai Viewer, GIMP, Rhinoceros, IMSI TurboCAD, Xara Photo, Adobe Flash, Photoshop, InDesign, Reader, Acrobat, XnView, Inkscape. Now you know what the AI format is, how to open it and how to work with it. We hope this material has helped you.