Trusted source for Illustrator CS5 license?

[Sveinbjorn Palsson]

I need to buy an Illustrator CS5 license to open old Macromedia Freehand files, and as I understand it I'd have to buy it from third parties.

Do you recommend anyone who's legit?

Sv.

[Bill Silbert · Accepted solution]

You can actually load Freehand files using CS6 and all versions of Creative Cloud using the plug-in from Tensai AI Plugins . If you have a subscription to Creative Cloud then you automatically have access to CS6 and all versions of Creative Cloud.

[JonathanArias]

wow Bill, how do you know so much?  you are machine.

you need to start answering in form of a question next.lol

[Jacob Bugge]

Bill,

Is this new version breaking news that makes all the old version stuff superfluous?

I believe this has been the case up to now:

AI CS2 is able to open FH4 - FH9

AI CS3 - CS5/C5.5 are able to open FH7 - FH11

AI CS6 - CC are unable to open FH files, but you can do it if you get the FHImport interface plugin, as well as a copy of the original FHImport plugin.

You can read on here:

http://www.tensai.co.uk/ai/fhi/how.php

[Bill Silbert]

According to the Tensai website the plug-in is vetted through CC 2018 Illustrator.

Edit: I was answering the question from the point of view that I surmised that the OP has been using a later version of Illustrator than CS5 (CS6 or above) and was only trying to find CS5 to convert the Freehand files. The info about the plug-in refers to that. As far as your info about how even earlier versions of Illustrator convert Freehand files, I have no new information.

[Jacob Bugge]

Bill,

Apologizing for my being slow in the uptake, are you saying that the new plugin can convert all Freehand file versions from FH4 on, thus completely removing the need for older AI versions in the process (for the old FH versions)?

[Bill Silbert]

I can't tell from the Tensai website as they don't seem to say what versions of Freehand the plug-in converts which would lead me to assume that it will handle all. But, as with most things related to computers, I would never put full reliance on an assumption.

[Monika Gause]

Their website says they convert FH7 and up.

Tensai AI Plugins - FreeHand File Conversion Service

CorelDraw reads versions 4 to 7

[Jacob Bugge]

Sveinbjorn,

As I (mis)understand it, to open FH7 and newer, you can use the Tensai plugin linked to by Bill in the first post.

Since FH7 is also the oldest you can open with AI CS5 and AI CS4 and AI CS3, there is no reason for trying to get an old AI CS version, unless you need to open FH6 or older, and that will require AI CS2 (down to FH4) or older.

Unfortunately, AI CS3 is the oldest version you can download legitimately as a free trial, which is all you need in order to get the relevant original

Getting a legitimate old AI version is a matter of luck, knowledge, and trust.