Design
AI files are the native vector file type for Adobe Illustrator. With an AI file, designers can scale their graphics, drawings, and images infinitely with no impact on resolution. Learn more about the pros and cons of the AI image format and discover how you can create, open, and edit them.
AI, which stands for Adobe Illustrator, is the proprietary Adobe file type for vector images. Other common vector image file types include PDF, EPS, and SVG. Unlike raster files made from pixels, vector files don’t lose resolution when scaled because they’re built on a complex graph-like formula that is infinitely expandable.
AI files render Illustrator drawings, logos, and illustrations in a high degree of detail. Their small file sizes and easy scalability make them a popular choice for many designers and illustrators. They’re also very versatile, allowing for layering and transparency where other file types don’t.
Because AI is a proprietary Adobe file type, you’ll need to use Illustrator to create, edit, and save an AI file. But you can view AI files on several third-party programs, though those won’t give you full editing functionality.
Adobe introduced the AI image format with Illustrator 9 in 2000. Before, Illustrator used the EPS file format.
AI files were designed to display vector-based EPS files and single-page PDFs. The previous EPS format combined both vector and raster image data.
Today, designers can still save, edit, and reopen EPS images as AI files, though EPS files don’t support transparency in the same way that AI files do.
Because of their small size and easy scalability, many designers prefer to use Adobe Illustrator files for their artwork. Typically, designers will use AI files for:
AI files designed in Illustrator give logos clarity and scalability so they can be used in everything from a business card to a billboard in Times Square. Plus, AI is great for laying out typography that will remain crisp and legible at any size.
AI files are perfect for printing digitally designed images, drawings, and graphics because they retain detail and clarity at different sizes. This distinguishes them from raster images, which can appear grainy and pixelated in print when scaled beyond their intended size.
Unlike Illustrator’s previous EPS format, AI files allow for transparency. This makes AI a great starting place for creating web graphics that need to layer on top of different backgrounds.
Depending on your project, the AI file format may work better in some scenarios than others. Here’s what you need to know:
To open an AI file in Illustrator, choose File > Open and select the file from your computer. Ensure that your file has the .AI extension. You can also open PDF, EPS, and SVG files.
Note that, while you can open AI files in other applications, this may convert your image from vector to raster.
Follow these easy steps to create an AI file in Adobe Illustrator.
Unlike raster files made from pixels, vector files don’t lose resolution when scaled because they’re built on a complex graph-like formula that is infinitely expandable. Because raster images contain a set number of pixels, they can become grainy or “pixelated” when scaled beyond their intended size. Vector images, on the other hand, can scale to any size without any loss in quality.
Find out more about the differences between raster and vector images.
Package your files, fonts, and images to easily email your AI file. Here’s how:
Select File > Package and a location for your folder. Select Package and attach the folder to an email. Alternatively, you can save your full image as a PDF and send it via email.
