.ai files not previewing on Mac?

[Chris@Sekem]

Why are .ai files not previewing with quick preview function on Mac? I've had this issue confirmed by several other users.

The quick preview app on Mac is essential tool for scrolling though and identifying image files. For it to no longer work with AI files is disastrous!

Help please!

[Ton Frederiks]

Are the .ai files saved with PDF compatibility?

[Chris@Sekem]

Yes all my files are saved PDF compatable but that shouldn't affect quick preview. I have litterally thousands of .ai files which have accumulated over many years and always previewed without issue, no matter how they were saved.

Seems to me a bug in latest versions of AI. It just started happening a month or so ago and many other designers I know are having the same issue. All that shows in preview is the AI icon.

[Monika Gause]

The Quick Look preview is based on embedded PDF content on the Mac.

[Chris@Sekem]

Yeah, I know. It relies on PDF compatibility being enabled when saving files. Doesn't answer my question why Preview still not working with AI files. VERY Frustrating!

See save pane below and interesting to note in Preview pane also below, 'Open in Preview' option not available.

[Monika Gause]

Preview also relies on the embedded PDF. Apple Preview can't open AI files. It can only open PDFs.

[Chris@Sekem]

Thanks for your response but as I’ve stated, all my .ai files are saved with PDF compatability.
While the ‘Quick Preview’ on my iMac only shows the AI icon, if I right click I can actually select ‘open in preview’ and it does then preview the content. Your advise on that is therefore incorrect.

I have a second iMac, late 2013, and all .ai files display fine in quick preview.

As a graphic designer creating and using thousands of AI files, Quick Preview has always been an integral part of my day to day workflow. I’ve never had this issue before and am desperate to resolve it.

--
Kind regards,
Chris Gray
Senior Graphic Designer
(personal details removed by moderator)

[Monika Gause]

So I'm still not sure what you point is.

In one post you write that

"'Open in Preview' option not available."

Then in your next post

"if I right click I can actually select ‘open in preview’ and it does then preview the content. "

Are you just keeping me busy or what is your point?

[Chris@Sekem]

The quick look/preview usually works on any file in finder windows, icons should all display thumbnail of content. This is not the case with AI files on my iMac. If you look atmy screen captures, you'll see the AI icon, if I right click and go > open in preview it will open and I can see thumbnail. That's simply not workable for me, I need to view in Quick Look.
I've initiated a case with Adobe and waiting for response from specialist.

Thanks for your interest and assistance on this, hope I haven't waisted your time!

Regards,

Chris.

[Monika Gause]

They will tell you that you have to save "PDF compatible" for this to work.

If you want this to work without "PDF compatible", you will need to make a feature request that Illustrator embeds a small preview image.

[Ton Frederiks]

What Mac OS? It works fine on mine; 10.14.6 Mojave.

But those without PDF compatibility never previewed.

[Chris@Sekem]

I'm using 10.15.7 Catalina.

I had thought maybe OS was the issue but mine is a late 2013 27" iMac so can't upgrade OS further.

I no longer think it's OS issue.

[Laura325339114i38]

Did anyone get to the bottom of this? Still happening for me and agree very frustrating having to open every file to view!

[Ton Frederiks]

You need to save them with PDF capability, if not, you can use Adobe Bridge to preview them.

[Dodfaefife]

Not solved. I can spacebar/preview .ai files on my late 2023 M2 macbook air with no problem. The same file does not scapcebar-preview on my late 2023 M2 Ultra Mac Studio. Cant be an illustrator setting as they are the same file. So, what's the difference in settings? 

[Monika Gause]

Are they AI files or are they EPS?

[Dodfaefife]

Hi.

They are .ai files

[Monika Gause]

And you are sure that you saved them with "PDF compatibility"?

The files are on your local drive?

[Dodfaefife]

Yes. to both.

[Monika Gause]

If you save a new AI file with PDF compatibility, does it then show a thumbnail?

While I have a Mac, I still do not have Sonoma (for obvious reasons, when reading through this forum), so I can only stab in the dark. The question is whether Sonoma can not do it any longer, just works differently or changed something so that it just can't do it on older files.

[Dodfaefife]

Not really. Both my macs are exactly the same sonoma versions. Up to date adobe ver. Same file diff quick preview results

[Monika Gause]

In that case maybe it's caused by some malfunction of that one Mac? That it can't correctly read your files or whatever it needs to do with them. You might want to contact Customer Care. Perhaps they can help you. They can login to your system. https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html

[Dodfaefife]

Seems unlikely but thaks for trying to help. Appreciate it.

[Monika Gause]

It's disappointing. Sorry for that.

Maybe @Anubhav Majumder has some more clues? 

[Scott Falkner]

Try restarting the Finder. Hold Option as you click on the Finder in the Dock and select Relaunch.