Help. ai files try to convert to pdf's

[bckueser]

Hello.

I am fairly new to Ai and I am hoping this has an easy solution. I have a few files uploaded to dropbox and someone sent me some Ai files but when I try to download them from either dropbox or my email they try to automatically convert to pdf's and I get a 'postscript conversion error'.  I don't want pdf formats. They are files I need to alter and so I need them to remain '.ai' files. How do I download them so they stay ai files?

I have AiCC2017.

Thanks for any help!

[Test Screen Name · Accepted solution]

First thing to check: SAVE/DOWNLOAD the files from your email or dropbox: DO NOT OPEN THEM. Once the file is saved, start Illustrator and use File > Open. Does it now work as expected?

[bckueser]

I went to 'get info' for another ai file and under 'open with' selected ai and 'change all'. I was then able to download from my email. It didn't open but added to the extension '.ai.ps' but I did as you suggested and used Ai to open the file. Worked! I was also able to manipulate and save the file after which it dropped that '.ps' extension so thanks for the help!

[Monika Gause]

Try to Zip them before uploading. Should be the easiest way to avoid trouble.

[angie_taylor]

This may be to do with the File Type association on your (or theirs?!?!?) system. Have you checked to see if your system preferences are set to have Illustrator open AI's?

[Ton Frederiks]

I have experienced this often.

Check the extension of the downloaded file, sometimes a .ps is added.

Remove the .ps and keep only .ai as the extension.