Can't open the .ai file ...

[Cédric281174164tq1]

Hello, I have received this AI file (atatched) I need to send to a professional for printing, but their tool can not open it (I think it is Adobe Illustrator ...) - I have also no tool nor being faliliar with this file type ... ;-(

Could someone please try to open it using adobe and confirm the file is not corrupted ?

https://www.aht.li/3759941/separations_50cmx50cm__dc-hotel-restaurant_suggestion.svg

https://www.aht.li/3759942/Separation_-_Vertorise_dc-hotel-restaurant-groot-wit.ai

(I have got an svg as well as ai file but both do not open ...)

Many thanks for your support.

[John Mensinger]

The svg file opened here (in Illustrator), but it is not a vector graphic. It's a raster image wrapped in a clipping frame. (The SVG format supports inclusion of raster elements, and this is what you get if you simply save a raster image as .svg.)

I suspect your source may possess a limited understanding of format requirements, and simply renamed (a copy of) this raster-based .svg fiile with the Illustrator .ai extension. It's not an .ai file.

[Cédric281174164tq1]

and is there a way you can "convert" the svg file into a real ai file ?

I assume not as the svp doesn't look good neither ?

Many Thanks !

[John Mensinger]

There is no single-click conversion. A person skilled in the use of Illustrator's bezier tools could manually trace the logo elements to produce a viable vector version. There are also automatic tracing features in Illustrator but the typical result is not worthy of brand mark reproduction. There is no doubt the original designer of the logo was working in vector format, and the owner of the brand should have it or be able to obtain a copy.

[Cédric281174164tq1]

I really appreciate your support.

Is there a way we can have a look at what this "ai" file really is ?

I just got confirmation from the vendor that this is what he got from the design company he worked with, but that was like 3 years ago ...

I am not sure if newer versions of adobe do not recognize this ai anymore, or whatever, but i there any tool allowing to recognize the file and maybe go from there ?

[Cédric281174164tq1]

P.S. I have other files like pdf, png, jpg ... but looks like the printer needs a vertorized file (ai or svg) ) so not sure if we can vectorize those formats  neither

[John Mensinger]

dc.pdf is vector-based, but does not include the longhand "HOTEL RESTAURANT" below the "DC" mark. I suspect that can simply be retyped in the correct font and matched up from there, by someone who knows how.

[Cédric281174164tq1]

So only the "DC" is vectorizes I u.derstand, but not the "Hotel restaurant" ? If this is the case, is it possible to add with adibe the "hotel restaurant" using the correct or similar font ?

[John Mensinger]

Ideally, you'd want to obtain the entire composition in its original, vector format. But yes, as I mentioned in my previous reply, someone who knows how to do it properly should be able to retype it in the correct font (not a 'similar' one), and make the kerning adjustments necessary to match it up 100%.

[Cédric281174164tq1]

ok but do you confirm the "DC" is vectorised ?

The printer company this morning seem to say that if they can find the similar font for "hotel restaurant" they could have the full vectorised file they need ...

[Met1]

Your "professional for printing" doesn't sound very professional. I'd recommend you find someone who actually knows Adobe CC suite, design and printing and can sort this out for you.

[Cédric281174164tq1]

I do not understand ... he was proposing to look for another font, but obviously we could certainly find a "similar" but not the original one 

;-(

He needs a vectorized, and tells me he can not do anything with the "pictures" I provided him ... I believe it is a printing machine requirement !

[Cédric281174164tq1]

I found oin the web "eps" would also be vectorised ... is this attached eps file vectorised and can be open with AI ?

I am sorry I am just in between my sponsor providing the logos and not being professional on that domain, and my printing company who needs a vectorized ...

wouldm attached eps be vectorised and be transformed in an .ai ?

[John Mensinger]

Just for your own knowledge, the .eps format can include vector data, raster data, and/or a mix of both.

In this case, the .eps file you posed does indeed contain the entire logo in a 100% vector build, and will satisfy the printer's requirements with proper handling.

[John Mensinger]

I think Met1's point is that it should be the exact font, and that a skilled person should handle the execution with full respect for the brand's integrity. As I hinted in previously replies, "a similar font" should not be the objective, and anyone suggesting that would be acceptable is incorrect. I don't know how far removed all this activity is from the owner of the brand, but that owner is actually remiss in allowing these threats to brand inegrity. No brand logo should be reproduced from anything but the brand's official artwork.

Yes, I confirm that as it stands, the file you posted named 'dc.pdf' contains 100% vectors comprising the "DC" monogram portion of the logo.

[Cédric281174164tq1]

IT is obviously not the purpose to do "something similar", just trying to find out the best way to do it.

So the attached "DC.pdf" is vctorised you say (but is not containing the needed text below).

Can you say about the attached eps file ?

[Met1]

It's vector, although RGB.

[Cédric281174164tq1]

Super thanks !! It should make the job. For my information how do you see it is vectorized or not ? It is via AI ?

[John Mensinger]

Is there a way we can have a look at what this "ai" file really is ?

I opened the file in a text editor to get a look at its header. I can't say I would know going in exactly what should be there, but comparing it to other .ai files I've viewed this way, it is effectively empty. The header is sparse; incomplete at best, and nothing follows it. (A complete .ai file would have 100's, at least, or 1000's of characters in its code makeup.) Whatever it is, there's nothing there for Illustrator to read and parse—nothing to print.