Illustrator - .ai - PDF compatible version

Question

When you create a compatible PDF version of an .ai file, my understanding is that the .ai file will open in Acrobat as it embeds pdf capability into the file.

I want to confirm that:

1. Illustrator does not create a separate PDF file - Y/N

2. If you try to open the .ai file using only Acrobat, it can not do it because it does not read .ai files. Instead you need to right click "open with" then select Acrobat and it opens - this is what seems to work.

3. What is the process of how this should work between the two programs as it is not clear to me that Illustrator or Acrobat are working correctly on my end.

I have researched this online and attempted to contact chat support but not resolved a clear understanding of the process. I can export the .ai files to PDF but the function of a PDF compatible file and how it works, what you get when you ask for it, and how to open it in Acrobat remains unclear.

Thank you for any assisatnce one is able to provide.

Monika Gause · Accepted Answer

Acrobat will open such files.https://youtu.be/rlUiv7HG7w4

Monika Gause · Answer

Illustrator saves a complete PDF into the private data fork of the AI file.

When you open the file in Acrobat (or Photoshop, or place it in InDesign etc.) then the other app opens the PDF from the private data fork.

When you open the file in a compatible version of Illustrator, then it opens the AI part of the file

When you open in a noncompatible version of Illustrator (older version), then it opens the PDF part of the file

When you save an AI file without PDF compatibility, you cannot open anything in any other app (not even older Illustrator). With the exception of CorelDRAW (as long as the AI file has been saved as version 2019 or lower)

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