If you’re a designer or illustrator using Adobe Illustrator, you may often find the need to export the artwork you’ve created in the AI format. The AI format, short for Adobe Illustrator Artwork, is a native file format for Adobe Illustrator, and is widely used for storing and exchanging vector graphics. In this article, we’ll discuss how to export AI files from Illustrator to share your work with others or use it in other applications.
Exporting AI files from Illustrator is a straightforward process, and there are several options for doing so. Whether you’re creating logos, icons, infographics, or other vector graphics, exporting AI files allows you to preserve the editable nature of your artwork and share it with others who may also be using Adobe Illustrator.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to export AI files from Adobe Illustrator:
Step 1: Open your artwork in Adobe Illustrator
Before you can export your artwork as an AI file, you need to have a file open in Adobe Illustrator. You can either create a new file or open an existing one.
Step 2: Choose the ‘Save As’ option
Once your artwork is open, go to the ‘File’ menu and select ‘Save As’. This will open a dialogue box where you can specify the file name, location, and format for the export.
Step 3: Select AI as the file format
In the ‘Save As’ dialogue box, choose “Adobe Illustrator (*.AI)” as the format for the export. This will ensure that your artwork is saved in the AI file format, preserving its vector nature and editability.
Step 4: Adjust the export options
After selecting the AI format, you may have the option to adjust export settings such as artboard range, compatibility, and PDF compatibility. You can choose to preserve Illustrator editing capabilities or optimize for smaller file size depending on your needs.
Step 5: Save the file
Once you’ve adjusted the export options, click ‘Save’ to export your artwork as an AI file. Your artwork will now be saved in the AI format, ready to be shared with others or used in other applications that support Adobe Illustrator files.
In addition to the ‘Save As’ option, you can also use the ‘Export As’ feature in Adobe Illustrator to export your artwork as an AI file. This option provides more flexibility in choosing export settings and allows you to export specific elements within your artwork.
By following these steps, you can easily export AI files from Adobe Illustrator, preserving the editability and vector nature of your artwork. Whether you’re sharing your work with colleagues, clients, or other designers, exporting AI files allows you to ensure that your artwork can be easily edited and utilized in other projects.
