Opening an AI File

The AI file type is primarily associated with Illustrator.

AI	File extension: AI
	File type:	image/design

What is an AI file?

AI files mostly belong to Illustrator by Adobe. AI filename extension is mainly associated with vector illustrations, artwork, and designs created with Illustrator vector graphics editor. The contents of such AI files were originally coded in EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file format. However, recent versions of Illustrator typically use the PDF (Portable Document Format) specification to save vector-based drawings in a single-page AI file. Adobe products such as After Effects, Photoshop, and Acrobat can open AI files saved according to the PDF specification. Rise Of Nations video game saves some game data in AI files. OpenEdge integrated database management system and business language programming software uses AI files to store "after-images" used to reconstruct corrupted databases. AI is also the filename extension of data dictionary index files used by Advantage Database Server relational database management system. AI filename extension is further associated with the Internal Chemical Modeller output file used by MOPAC (Molecular Orbital Package).

How can I open an AI file?

You need a suitable software like Illustrator to open an AI file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your AI file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a AI file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online AI File Viewer

Choose your .ai file to view this image

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

✈

Read our privacy guarantee in Filext’s terms and privacy policy

Please allow ads on our site

This helps us keep our servers running. Then re-upload your file to view it.

Click here to see how to disable the ad blocker for filext.com

How to convert an AI file to SVG, PDF, JPG, PNG, ...

You can convert AI files using our online AI file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):

To do this, click the button "Choose your .ai file to view this image" on this page.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then choose the image format (e.g. SVG, PDF, JPG, PNG, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert AI files:

Illustrator by Adobe
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. AI files are often referred to as Illustrator vector images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Advantage Database Server (data dictionary index) by SAP
Advantage Database Server is an embedded, relational database management system with ISAM and SQL support. Its data dictionary index files have AI filename extension. This file format is classified as Database.
AIwin (project) by Procedimientos-Uno, S.L.
AIwin appears to be a program that was used for the installation and distribution of interior air conditioning. It saves project data in AI files. This program appears to be discontinued. This file format is classified as CAD.
CorelDRAW (image) by Corel
CorelDRAW is a graphics design software suite with raster/vector graphics manipulation tools. Its PowerTRACE (formerly CorelTRACE) component can convert bitmaps to vector drawings stored in AI files. You may also import AI files into CorelDRAW. This file format is classified as Vector Image.
EARS (component) by Liberal Democrats
EARS (Election Agents Record System) is a cross-platform program and web client that serves as an electoral register database for storing and accessing political opinions, survey results, contact details, petitions, and casework. This file format is classified as Database.
MOPAC (data) by Open Mopac
MOPAC (Molecular Orbital Package) is a cross-platform program used to implement semi-empirical quantum chemistry computation. Its internal chemical modeler output file is saved in AI format. This file format is classified as Data.
ObjectStore (after-image) by IgniteTech
ObjectStore is an embedded, object-oriented database management system mainly used for C++ and Java application development. The after-image used to reconstruct a corrupted ObjectStore database is stored in an AI file. This program is no longer sold by its developer. This file format is classified as Database.
OpenEdge (after-image area) by Progress
OpenEdge is an integrated relational database management system and fourth generation business language. It uses AI files to store the after-image data used to reconstruct corrupted databases. This file format is classified as Database.
Photoshop (image/design) by Adobe
Photoshop is a raster graphics editing software that is mainly used as a professional photo editor. AI files that contain a PDF stream can be opened with Photoshop. This file format is classified as Vector Image. Related links: https://www.xnview.com/
Rise of Nations (game data) by Microsoft
Rise of Nations is a real-time strategy video game for PC, Mac, and console platforms. Some game data used by Rise of Nations is stored in AI files. This file format is classified as Game.

AI file format details:

The file format determines how the data is stored in the file. The initial characters of a file are called signature, sometimes also referred to as "magic bytes". The signature can be used to infer the file format. However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. Knowledge is power - this also applies when dealing with unknown or faulty files. Our evaluation of the AI files is as follows:

The AI extension is very commonly found and mainly uses a defined AI format. The file formats most commonly found in AI files are:

80% of all AI files store the data in the PDF file format. PDF is short for Portable Document Format, is a file format to present documents, including text formatting and images, in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. A typical file size is 1 MB. This file type is based on cutting-edge technology. Such AI files store data about logo, cmyk, black, white, card, shirt, design, template and front.
10% of all AI files belong to Adobe Illustrator graphics. The content consists of readable text data, which can be read using a text editor. AI files can be up to 73 MB in size, but are often around 7 KB - 780 KB. The files contain the following words: BoundingBox, CreationDate, Title, %%Creator: Adobe, %!PS-Adobe-3.0, EPSF and Adobe Illustrator. Files like these have the following tags: adobe, stock, preview and vector.

The remaining 10% of all AI files are different files with different signatures, the following 4 formats exist: Mac2OSX. The category is back, business, blue, icon, company, tshirt or combo. You can get all the details of your AI file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .ai file to view this image" above.

Technical Data for AI File Extension

File classification:

Vector Image

Related files:

al, ia, a1, eps, cmyk, io, ait, pdf, psd, check, api, curve, zip, ps, ei, ds_store, png, ezd, rgb, per, art, svg

Related links:

XnView, https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Illustrator_Artwork

Mime type:

application/postscript, application/illustrator, application/pdf

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: CorelDRAW.Graphic.11, FileType: CorelDRAW 11.0 Graphic, AppName: CorelDRAW(R)
EXEFile: coreldrw.exe

ProgramID: GraphicsConverterPro.ai, FileType: Adobe Illustrator, AppName: GraphicsConverter-reg
EXEFile: GraphicsConverter.exe

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 8
EXEFile: Paint Shop Pro.exe

ProgramID: PSP7.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro 7 Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 7
EXEFile: psp.exe

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 10 Tryout\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 10.0.3\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.10
EXEFile: D:\Adobe\Illustrator 10\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.11
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.11
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator CS Tryout\Support

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.11
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator CS\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.8
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 8.0\Illustrator.exe

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.9
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 9.0.1\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.9
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 9.0\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 8\Paint Shop Pro.exe /dde

ProgramID: PaintShopPro9.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 9\Paint Shop Pro 9.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP7.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP7.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Paint Shop Pro 7\psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.11
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\illustrator\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.11
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Illustrator CS\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 10\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: PSP6.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PAINTS~1\psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.12
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS2\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: PaintShopProX.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Paint Shop Pro X\Paint Shop Pro X.exe

ProgramID: aifile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\formZ\formZ RadioZity MP v4.1.0\formZ RadioZity.exe

ProgramID: SnapfireI.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Snapfire Plus\Corel Snapfire.exe

ProgramID: aifile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\formZ\formZ RadioZity v4.1.0\formZ RadioZity.exe

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 10 Evaluation\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.13
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS3\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe

Show all 29 listings To Top

an ai image/design is a special file format by Adobe and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with AI files

Associate the AI file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open image/designs. Because only the current version supports the latest AI file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Adobe manufacturer website after an available Illustrator update.
To make sure that your AI file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .AI file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.