Unable to open .cdr file

[karin_newport]

I found an old Corel Draw 9 clipart CD and wanted to look at some of the files in Illustrator, however I get the error message "The file filename.cdr is an unknown format and cannot be opened." Unfortunately I don't have the actual program CD anymore. Is there any way I can import this file into Illustrator CS5? Looking at the file types it seems possible to open cdr files?

Any help much appreciated!

[karin_newport]

Update: I have just downloaded a trial version of Corel Draw and can see the files now. But that's just a 30 temporary solution. Does anyone have any ideas?

[Wade_Zimmerman1]

I believe there is an online service that will convert the cdr to .ai for you can try and use your 30 trial and export as pdf or eps.

[karin_newport]

Thanks for your answer, I have tried the online service, but it doesn't work (php sendmail exception after submitting the file). Also I would like a more permanent solution as the 30 day trial is going to finish and what do I do then? There's thousands of files and I can't possibly convert them all before the trial is up. Maybe it's a bug in Illustrator? It clearly has import options for .cdr files, except it doesn't work? Anyone else had problems?

[JETalmage · Accepted solution]

The Draw files are most likely compressed. Just as with Illustrator, when you save a file from Corel Draw, you have the choice to save it with or without compression. Illustrator can open Corel Draw files, but not if they are compressed when saved. Corel Draw can open Illustrator files, but not if they are compressed when saved.

Open the files in Draw. Save them without compression.

JET

[karin_newport]

Thank you, that's what it is. The files from the CD that I have would most likely be compressed. I tried saving one of the files in CD9 format uncompressed and then it opens fine in Ai. Unfortunately not the long term solution I was looking for but at least I know now why it didn't work.

[bigmikestudios]

Inkscape can open CDR's and save out EPS.

http://inkscape.org/

[stank53998838]

Open Corrupt CDR file software to effortlessly recover and corrupted CDR File. Try CorelDraw CDR Recovery if you encounter data corruption issues affecting the integrity of CorelDraw images. http://www.purchase-software.org/data-recovery/cdr.html