AI files exist as 2 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: Adobe Illustrator Artwork
Before, Illustrator used the EPS file format. AI files display vector EPS files and PDFs. Designers can still save, edit, reopen EPS as AI. But EPS don't support transparency like AI.
AI files' smal...
Before, Illustrator used the EPS file format. AI files display vector EPS files and PDFs. Designers can still save, edit, reopen EPS as AI. But EPS don’t support transparency like AI.
AI files’ small size and scalability make them preferred for logos. They stay crisp and legible when scaled. AI also works for print.
You can open AI in Illustrator in Windows and macOS. It fully supports AI formatting. Or open in third parties like Canvas, CorelDRAW, GIMP, Inkscape. But these may not fully support AI or they rasterize it.
The AI format uses a dual path approach to save EPS-compatible files. The specifications provide reference for developers. AI files contain a prolog and script conforming to conventions. The prolog has file interpretation information.
AI is a proprietary vector format by Adobe for EPS or PDF. It uses the .ai extension. You can reportedly view it by renaming .ai to .pdf if you lack Illustrator.
Illustrator primarily creates and opens AI. Acrobat, Photoshop, After Effects also work. Some free AI openers are Inkscape, Scribus, ideaMK’s Viewer, sK1 and browser-based Photopea.
To open an AI to view but not edit, apps supporting PDFs work since AI embeds PDF content by default. To view in Windows, change .ai to .pdf.
To edit, open Illustrator and select the AI file. You can then edit it in the workspace.
Adobe Illustrator
Inkscape
CorelDRAW