Can't edit eps converted file to AI

[Joedeee]

I am new to AI and downloaded an image from Freepik which is a an EPS file. I converted the file to AI but I cannot edit the file in AI. A blue cross appears as I hover pointer over image.

[Larry G. Schneider]

The crossed lines indicates that AI thinks the file is a raster image. What did you do to change the file to a .ai file?

[Bill Silbert]

Try simply opening the EPS in Illustrator rather than placing it. If it is actually a vector EPS file then you should be able to see it as linework when viewing it in the Outline mode (View Menu>Outline). If all you see in Outline mode is an empty rectangle then the image is actually a raster EPS (this is an outdated Photoshop format). If it is vector then simply do a "Save As" (not an "Export") and save it as an .ai file.

[michelew83603738 · Accepted solution]

From the image you uploaded, you are clearly placing an image into Illustrator. If you want to edit it, you need to do something to turn it into a vector image. So if it was a vector or .eps, then just do a file open. If it is an image, you need to do an image trace to turn it into a vector image.