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What are AI files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an AI file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your AI files.

What is an AI file?

AI files have multiple uses, and Adobe Illustrator Graphics is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Adobe Illustrator Graphics

AI is the acronym for Adobe Illustrator. Files that have the .ai extension are drawing files that the Adobe Illustrator application has created.

The Adobe Illustrator application was developed by Adobe Systems. The files created by this application are composed of paths that are connected by points and are saved in vector format. The technology used to create these files allows the user to re-size the AI image without losing any of the image's quality.

Some third-party programs allow users to "rastersize" the images created in Adobe Illustrator, which allows them to convert the AI file into bitmap format. While this may make the file size smaller and easier to open across multiple applications, some of the file quality may be lost in the process.

How to open AI files

We have identified three AI openers that are compatible with this specific type of AI file.

Programs that open Adobe Illustrator Graphics files

Last updated: December 22, 2023

All known file formats using extension .AI

While Adobe Illustrator Graphics is a popular type of AI-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .AI file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Ai Archivator Compressed Archive

We know that one AI format is Ai Archivator Compressed Archive. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different AI openers which you will find listed below.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of AI files. Remember, different programs may use AI files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Corel PaintShop ProCorel PaintShop ProUser submitted
Adobe PhotoshopAdobe PhotoshopUser submitted
Adobe AcrobatAdobe AcrobatUser submitted
CorelDRAW Graphics SuiteCorelDRAW Graphics SuiteUser submitted
progeCAD ProfessionalprogeCAD ProfessionalUser submitted
TeXplus ViewerTeXplus ViewerUser submitted
XnViewXnViewUser submitted
MysticThumbsMysticThumbsUser submitted
Adobe ImageReadyAdobe ImageReadyDiscontinued
Picasa Photo ViewerPicasa Photo ViewerDiscontinued

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about AI file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.