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I use only about 1% of the Adobe Illustrator as I only need to use it occasionally to view an .ai file someone has emailed to me. I cannot use the creative part of it at all as I do not understand how to create or edit with it, and I do not need to learn those skills. To pay USD20 per month on an ongoing contract is not an option for me, therefore I would like to ask if you could please introduce another option of payment for a basic user like me. Or in the alternative create a version of the program that only allows viewing of files without the added features of creating and editing. If I still have to pay for it, then an ad hoc basis payment (not too high please) or a much lower premium per month like USD2 per month would be more fair. Thank you that I may ask.
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SOME programs are available Monthly instead of Annual https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1926342
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I am already referring to the monthly payment. The annual payment is even more out of the question for a basic user like me. Thanks for your interest to answer.
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If all you need it to view the files, in most cases you can view AI files with Acrobat Reader. (As long as the file was saved with PDF compatability)
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I have already tried that, with no success. The only option I get when I try to open an .ai file, is a pop up to inform me that my trial period has ended and that I need to either pay about USD20 per month or annually on an ongoing contract to make use of the program. Thanks for you contribution.
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Various options here to try:
1. You can use Preview.app if you are on Mac to open it, but only wotks if the file was saved with the create compatible PDF file option checked.
2. Manually change the .ai extension for .pdf extension to try open it with Acrobat Reader
3. May be you can try Inkscape, it is a free software (do almost the same as illustrator) with it you can open and view native .ai files
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Thank you for your suggestions, all of them well worth a try. I have tried all three options: some of them do not open in Inkscape (only one or two did), ones not saved with the pdf option, do not open together. I only managed to open the last one I have received when I upgraded the installed Adobe Illustrator on my PC and it gave me the gift of another 7 days trial period. I almost cried of relief as I could then open all the .ai files I had on my PC. I only need to check if the .ai file is the correct replica of a logo we need to use for branding. I can send a jpg or pdf image to the branding department, but they need a vector format of that logo for the branding. I have to check that the .ai format is a correct replica of the logo before I can submit it to the branding department, therefore I only need access to the program to open die file and view it. Thanks for your interest to help.
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https://forums.adobe.com/people/Mario+Arizmendi schrieb
3. May be you can try Inkscape, it is a free software (do almost the same as illustrator) with it you can open and view native .ai files
Inkscape can't open native AI files. CorelDraw can (but only up to CS6). But since it is a conversion to the CDR format, I wouldn't rely on a correct conversion.
Some web based ecovery tools can as well. But it will cost money for each file.
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Since Adobe is immovably determined to extract continual rent for its software; and since software is…well, software: Perhaps Adobe would simply rent its software to you by the duration of time you actually use it. I mean, it's software. It loves to "phone home" all the time. Why should you be paying rent for it while you are asleep?
😉
JET
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I do not mind to pay a basic fee on an ad hoc basis for limited access as I am only using about 1% of the program occasionally. Thanks for your contribution.
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yeah I use my apartment only part of the day/month but the ownership is in my name and thus I pay for that privilege. (as though I never left the rental)
I would recommend using Adobe Bridge (free) or Adobe acrobat as others mentioned (also free)
Adobe Bridge is your best route --
Digital asset management software | Download free Adobe Bridge CC trial
you can flag stuff and embed metadata for others to see (with adobe photoshop/illustrator etc) They can then make meaningful revisions and you can view their work/updates in bridge.
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If it's the final file that you're interested in, maybe the artists could export a .pdf for you to review.
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