Skip to main content
S
Sugardaddy
Participant
November 10, 2017
Answered

.ai to PDF

  • November 10, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 787 views

How to turn a .ai file into a PDF and have the PDF logo on it when I place it in Mail.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Dov Isaacs

The only reasonable way to create a PDF file from an Adobe Illustrator (.ai) file is to open the .ai file in Adobe Illustrator and then “save a copy” as a PDF file. You will receive a dialog that will provide a wide array of options in terms of PDF version, color spaces, image compression and downsampling, etc. Choose wisely! 

Although Acrobat DC does provide an ability to “open” a .ai file, behind the scenes, such files are uploaded to Adobe and saved as PDF with the caveats that (1) fonts may be substituted if you aren't using standard system fonts or fonts in Adobe's libraries, (2) colors may not necessarily be output as expected, (3) and referenced images in the .ai file (i.e., images placed by link into the .ai file) will be lost.

The PDF logo on the file's icon depends on which program in your system “owns” the .PDF file suffix.

          - Dov

2 replies

Dov Isaacs
Dov IsaacsCorrect answer
Legend
November 10, 2017

The only reasonable way to create a PDF file from an Adobe Illustrator (.ai) file is to open the .ai file in Adobe Illustrator and then “save a copy” as a PDF file. You will receive a dialog that will provide a wide array of options in terms of PDF version, color spaces, image compression and downsampling, etc. Choose wisely! 

Although Acrobat DC does provide an ability to “open” a .ai file, behind the scenes, such files are uploaded to Adobe and saved as PDF with the caveats that (1) fonts may be substituted if you aren't using standard system fonts or fonts in Adobe's libraries, (2) colors may not necessarily be output as expected, (3) and referenced images in the .ai file (i.e., images placed by link into the .ai file) will be lost.

The PDF logo on the file's icon depends on which program in your system “owns” the .PDF file suffix.

          - Dov

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
Loic.Aigon
Loic.Aigon
Legend
November 10, 2017

You need to open that ai file preferably inside Adobe Illustrator or at worst with Acrobat Pro. For the former, just save as AI PDF.

For the latest, then, just save.

With mail, you should google that.

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices