Two of Adobe’s most popular programs in the digital art world, Photoshop and Illustrator, are both excellent tools for artists to have in their toolkits. While they each serve a specific purpose and offer different capabilities, understanding how to move a project between them will give you endless possibilities for your project. You can open an Illustrator file in Photoshop like any other file by going to File > Open. With that said, the AI file will open as a rasterized document making it impossible to access your original layers. To preserve layers between Illustrator and Photoshop you must export the AI file as a PSD. However, it is important to know the different options for opening an Adobe Illustrator file in Photoshop, because certain methods will result in better quality and more editing capabilities once the file is exported. Let’s explore the different ways to do this, and which purpose each can serve.
Can Illustrator files be opened in Photoshop?
Pixel based Adobe Photoshop Layer – Firstly I am going to create a pixel based Adobe Photoshop layer from my Adobe Illustrator Artwork, this is the easy one! Go to File>open and browse to the Adobe Illustrator file that you would like to open. You will then see a dialogue box which enables you to specify the size that the file is rasterised in Adobe Photoshop. Because we are going from an Adobe Illustrator Vector in to a pixel based Adobe Photoshop layer we can specify any size we like big or small. When you click Ok you will then have an Adobe Photoshop file with the artwork on its own layer, all you need to do is press enter to confirm the size within the layer.
Is AI File editable in Photoshop?
Two of Adobe’s most popular programs in the digital art world, Photoshop and Illustrator, are both excellent tools for artists to have in their toolkits. While they each serve a specific purpose and offer different capabilities, understanding how to move a project between them will give you endless possibilities for your project. You can open an Illustrator file in Photoshop like any other file by going to File > Open. With that said, the AI file will open as a rasterized document making it impossible to access your original layers. To preserve layers between Illustrator and Photoshop you must export the AI file as a PSD. However, it is important to know the different options for opening an Adobe Illustrator file in Photoshop, because certain methods will result in better quality and more editing capabilities once the file is exported. Let’s explore the different ways to do this, and which purpose each can serve.
How to edit AI files without Illustrator?
What Programs Edit AI Files? How to Open AI Files Without Adobe Illustrator
- AI files are native Adobe Illustrator files. When you save a file in Adobe Illustrator, it is saved as a “.ai” file by default. Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editing program. Vector graphics are made up of points of data that determine shapes, colors, lines, curves, and more.
- Vector vs. Raster: Most digital images are raster images. These images are made up of a series of colored pixels. When you zoom in or enlarge a raster image, you start to see the pixels. This makes the images look fuzzy and jagged. Because vector graphics are made up of points of data instead of pixels, they retain their clarity no matter how much you zoom in or enlarge the image.
Advertisement
- Yes, but there are limitations. While other vector graphics programs can open and edit AI files, they may not look the way they’re supposed to. This is because some features that are native to Adobe Illustrator may not be supported by other programs. Also, different programs handle files differently. For example, the way Adobe Illustrator processes transparencies and gradients may not be the same as how CorelDRAW processes these features. Some aspects of the image may need to be rasterized when opened in another program.
- Saving files in SVG format will ensure the best compatibility with other vector graphics programs, like Adobe Illustrator.
- 1 Adobe Illustrator is the best program for editing AI files. AI is the native file format for Adobe Illustrator. It is the software that is best equipped to edit AI files and save files in AI format. Adobe Illustrator supports all features needed to open and edit AI files accurately. The downside to using Adobe Illustrator is that it requires a subscription fee to use.
- 2 CorelDRAW can also edit and export AI files. CorelDraw is Illustrator’s biggest competitor. It can open AI files. It is one of the few third-party programs that can export files in AI format. However, AI files may not look the same in CorelDRAW as they do in Adobe illustrators. CorelDRAW also requires a subscription fee.
- You can start a free 15-day trial of CorelDRAW at,
- You can open AI files the same way you would open any other vector file in CorelDRAW. To export the file in AI format, click File followed by Export, Select ” AI – Adobe Illustrator ” next to “Save as Type.” Then click Export,
- 3 Gravit Designer is a cloud-based program that can edit AI files. The Pro version of Gravit Designer is capable of importing and editing AI files. However, they may not look entirely accurate when imported into Gravit Designer. Also, Gravit Designer cannot save files in AI format. So you will need to save the files in a different format. The Pro version of Gravit Designer requires a subscription fee, but it’s cheaper than Illustrator or CorelDraw.
- 4 Affinity Designer is another graphics editor that can edit AI files. Affinity Designer can edit both vector and raster graphics. It requires a subscription fee, but it is cheaper than Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. While Affinity Designer can import and edit AI files, it cannot save or export files in AI format.
- As with other programs, AI files imported into Affinity Designer may not look entirely accurate.
Advertisement
- Inkscape is the best free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. Inkscape is a free vector graphics editor. You can use Inkscape to open and edit AI files. However, Inkscape does not have the ability to save or export files in AI format. So you will need to save the file in an alternate format, such as SVG, or EPS.
- You can download the latest version of Inkscape for free at,
- AI files may not be 100% accurate in Inkscape as certain features supported by one program may not be supported by the other.
- Yes, but only in raster format. You can open AI files in raster graphics editor programs like Photoshop or GIMP, but they will be converted to a raster image. You can then use the tools to edit the image in raster format and save the files as a raster image. Also, AI files that have multiple layers will only have one layer when imported into Photoshop or GIMP.
- Photoshop is best equipped to handle AI files. While it’s not a vector graphics program, AI files imported or placed in Photoshop will look more accurate than AI files imported into non-Adobe programs, like GIMP.
- In Photoshop, you can place an AI file as a smart object in a new Photoshop layer. This allows the file to retain the clarity of a vector graphics image inside the layer.
Advertisement
Yes, there are a number of websites that can convert AI files to a different format. You can convert AI files to a different vector format or to a raster format. However, AI files converted to a different format may not be entirely accurate. The following are a few websites that can convert AI files to a different format:
Ask a Question Advertisement Written by: wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer,, Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design.
- Co-authors: 3
- Updated: January 20, 2022
- Views: 24,688
Categories:
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 24,688 times. : What Programs Edit AI Files? How to Open AI Files Without Adobe Illustrator
What version of Photoshop has AI?
About this article – Adobe Photoshop 2021 claims to be the ‘most advanced AI tool available for creatives’ so far. They have successfully adopted the latest research in AI and have added as tools in its latest version — Adobe Photoshop 2021. Here we will take a look into the top 5 functionalities in the app that are facilitated by the advancements in AI and also have a look at the underlying AI research papers which we saw last year.
- Neural Filters
- Select Item
- Sky Replacement
- Content aware fill
- Discover panel and Quick actions
What is AI Format in Photoshop?
What is an AI file? – AI, which stands for Adobe Illustrator, is the proprietary Adobe file type for vector images. Other common vector image file types include PDF, EPS and SVG, Unlike raster files made from pixels, vector files don’t lose resolution when scaled because they’re built on a complex graph-like formula that is infinitely expandable.
AI files render Illustrator drawings, logos and illustrations in a high degree of detail. Their small file sizes and easy scalability make them a popular choice for many designers and illustrators. They’re also very versatile, allowing for layering and transparency where other file types don’t. Because AI is a proprietary Adobe file type, you’ll need to use Illustrator to create, edit and save an AI file.
But you can view AI files on several third-party programmes, though those won’t give you full editing functionality.
Where can I open an AI File?
How to open an AI file. – To open an AI file in Illustrator, choose File > Open and select the file from your computer. Ensure that your file has the,AI extension. You can also open PDF, EPS and SVG files. Note that, while you can open AI files in other applications, this may convert your image from vector to raster.
How do I edit an AI image in Photoshop?
How Do I Edit an Image in Illustrator With Photoshop? Editing an Illustrator image in Photoshop is easy. Just select the “Image” option at the top of the screen and this will open up a list of options that you can use to edit the Illustrator image in Photoshop. This will open up a list of image editing tools that you can use to edit the Illustrator image.
The first one that you may want to edit in your Illustrator image is the Mode, Photoshop offers a wide variety of options that you can choose from such as Grayscale, Indexed Color, RGB Color, CMYK Color, and many others. The availability of other color modes may also be subject to the type of image uploaded.
You may also choose the Adjustments options in the Image menu where you can adjust an image’s settings such as Brightness, Contrast, Levels, Curves, Exposure, Vibrance, Color Balance, Shadows, and many others.
You can also choose to apply automatic adjustments to your Illustrator images such as Auto Tone, Auto Contrast, and Auto Color,
Finally, you can resize your Illustrator image in Photoshop by selecting the Image Size option which will open up the Image Size window.
This will let you adjust the Dimensions and Resolution of your image.
PRO TIP: If you are planning to edit an image in Illustrator with Photoshop, there are a few things you need to know. First, you need to have a good understanding of both programs. Second, you need to make sure that the image you want to edit is in a format that both programs can read.
- Third, you need to make sure that the settings in both programs are compatible.
- Otherwise, you may end up with an image that looks distorted or blurry.
- Conclusion: To edit an image in Illustrator with Photoshop, first, open the image in Photoshop and then follow these steps: Select the “Image” option from the top menu.
This will open up the image editing options in Photoshop. Here you can change the Mode of the image into Grayscale, Indexed Color, RGB, CMYK, and many others. You can also make some adjustments to the image’s settings such as Brightness, Contrast, Exposure, Vibrance, Color Balance, Shadows, and many more, using the Adjustments menu.
Automatic adjustments can also be applied to your Illustrator images such as Auto Tone, Auto Contrast, and Auto Color. Finally, you can resize your Illustrator image in Photoshop by selecting the Image Size option where you can adjust the dimensions and resolution of your image. If you’re a designer, there’s a good chance you’re proficient in both Photoshop and Illustrator.
However, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to edit an Illustrator file in Photoshop. Can it be done? If you’re a designer, there’s a good chance you’re proficient in both Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Both are widely used programs in the design world and offer a variety of features and capabilities.
- Sometimes, however, you may need to edit an Illustrator file in Photoshop.
- If you’re a web designer, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to take an Illustrator file and turn it into a Photoshop file.
- While this may seem like a daunting task, it’s actually not that difficult.
- In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of importing an Illustrator file into Photoshop.
If you’re a designer, there’s a good chance you’re proficient in more than one design program. After all, being able to use multiple programs gives you a wider range of options when it comes to creating designs. However, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to open an Illustrator file in Photoshop.
- There are a few different ways that you can create an illustration in Photoshop.
- One way is to use the pen tool to draw your own vector shapes.
- Another way is to use the brush tool to paint your own raster image.
- One of the great things about Photoshop is its versatility.
- Not only can you use it to edit photos and create graphics, but you can also use it to create illustrations.
In this article, we’ll show you how to turn an image into an illustration in Photoshop. There are a few different ways that you can convert an Illustrator file to Photoshop. One way is to simply open the file in Photoshop. You can also use the “Save As” function in Illustrator and save the file as a Photoshop document.
What is the difference between an AI File and Photoshop?
The Difference Between Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator 08/31/17 | Posted by LeAnn Troutner | Posted in Digital Creativity files/blog/full/image141.jpg” alt=””> Two fabulous programs utilized strongly by artists is Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. These two programs have a lot in common but their differences are bigger than their similarities. Photoshop is based on pixels while Illustrator works using vectors. files/blog/full/image238.jpg” alt=””> Photoshop is raster-based and uses pixels to create images. Photoshop is designed for editing and creating photos or raster-based art. When the program was developed it was for photographers, but over time the program has grown to help all kinds of artists to do many different kinds of work. Now Photoshop is known to create interface designs, web pages, banner ads, video graphics, and the original use of editing and creating images for print. Photoshop is known to be able to do so much and be so easy to learn that it is looked at as a one stop shop, but Photoshop is not the best program for all types of artwork and design. files/blog/full/image329.jpg” alt=””> Illustrator works off vectors, these are points used to create perfectly smooth lines. This program is for creating and editing vector-based work such as graphics, logos, and other design elements. Vectors are scalable images that can be sized as small or as large are you need them to be, but look the same when it comes to clarity and resolution. Illustrator is not ideal for creating multi-page documents and using the program this way would create some drawbacks. Illustrator doesn’t have a way to setup master pages the way that InDesign does. This is a necessary tool when you’re building documents that use templates. Illustrator also doesn’t allow you to automate page numbers. This is another feature InDesign supports, which can be especially useful when dealing with larger documents. Photoshop is a bad program to use when creating logos, it will do nothing but cost you time and money. Creating a logo in Photoshop cannot be enlarged or manipulated in the same manner that an Illustrator based logo can. Type will print clearest at vector-based rendering. The Adobe Creative Cloud Package has many different programs to create different art in separate practices. Leave a comment Back to blog listing
Should I learn Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop?
Choosing Between Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator – If you know that you will not need to edit images and if most of your projects focus on drawing and creating logos, then Adobe Illustrator is the right tool for you. In this case, you will not need to buy Adobe Photoshop.
What other programs can open Adobe Illustrator files?
What Programs Edit AI Files? How to Open AI Files Without Adobe Illustrator
- AI files are native Adobe Illustrator files. When you save a file in Adobe Illustrator, it is saved as a “.ai” file by default. Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editing program. Vector graphics are made up of points of data that determine shapes, colors, lines, curves, and more.
- Vector vs. Raster: Most digital images are raster images. These images are made up of a series of colored pixels. When you zoom in or enlarge a raster image, you start to see the pixels. This makes the images look fuzzy and jagged. Because vector graphics are made up of points of data instead of pixels, they retain their clarity no matter how much you zoom in or enlarge the image.
Advertisement
- Yes, but there are limitations. While other vector graphics programs can open and edit AI files, they may not look the way they’re supposed to. This is because some features that are native to Adobe Illustrator may not be supported by other programs. Also, different programs handle files differently. For example, the way Adobe Illustrator processes transparencies and gradients may not be the same as how CorelDRAW processes these features. Some aspects of the image may need to be rasterized when opened in another program.
- Saving files in SVG format will ensure the best compatibility with other vector graphics programs, like Adobe Illustrator.
- 1 Adobe Illustrator is the best program for editing AI files. AI is the native file format for Adobe Illustrator. It is the software that is best equipped to edit AI files and save files in AI format. Adobe Illustrator supports all features needed to open and edit AI files accurately. The downside to using Adobe Illustrator is that it requires a subscription fee to use.
- 2 CorelDRAW can also edit and export AI files. CorelDraw is Illustrator’s biggest competitor. It can open AI files. It is one of the few third-party programs that can export files in AI format. However, AI files may not look the same in CorelDRAW as they do in Adobe illustrators. CorelDRAW also requires a subscription fee.
- You can start a free 15-day trial of CorelDRAW at,
- You can open AI files the same way you would open any other vector file in CorelDRAW. To export the file in AI format, click File followed by Export, Select ” AI – Adobe Illustrator ” next to “Save as Type.” Then click Export,
- 3 Gravit Designer is a cloud-based program that can edit AI files. The Pro version of Gravit Designer is capable of importing and editing AI files. However, they may not look entirely accurate when imported into Gravit Designer. Also, Gravit Designer cannot save files in AI format. So you will need to save the files in a different format. The Pro version of Gravit Designer requires a subscription fee, but it’s cheaper than Illustrator or CorelDraw.
- 4 Affinity Designer is another graphics editor that can edit AI files. Affinity Designer can edit both vector and raster graphics. It requires a subscription fee, but it is cheaper than Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. While Affinity Designer can import and edit AI files, it cannot save or export files in AI format.
- As with other programs, AI files imported into Affinity Designer may not look entirely accurate.
Advertisement
- Inkscape is the best free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. Inkscape is a free vector graphics editor. You can use Inkscape to open and edit AI files. However, Inkscape does not have the ability to save or export files in AI format. So you will need to save the file in an alternate format, such as SVG, or EPS.
- You can download the latest version of Inkscape for free at,
- AI files may not be 100% accurate in Inkscape as certain features supported by one program may not be supported by the other.
- Yes, but only in raster format. You can open AI files in raster graphics editor programs like Photoshop or GIMP, but they will be converted to a raster image. You can then use the tools to edit the image in raster format and save the files as a raster image. Also, AI files that have multiple layers will only have one layer when imported into Photoshop or GIMP.
- Photoshop is best equipped to handle AI files. While it’s not a vector graphics program, AI files imported or placed in Photoshop will look more accurate than AI files imported into non-Adobe programs, like GIMP.
- In Photoshop, you can place an AI file as a smart object in a new Photoshop layer. This allows the file to retain the clarity of a vector graphics image inside the layer.
Advertisement
Yes, there are a number of websites that can convert AI files to a different format. You can convert AI files to a different vector format or to a raster format. However, AI files converted to a different format may not be entirely accurate. The following are a few websites that can convert AI files to a different format:
Ask a Question Advertisement Written by: wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer,, Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design.
- Co-authors: 3
- Updated: January 20, 2022
- Views: 24,688
Categories:
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 24,688 times. : What Programs Edit AI Files? How to Open AI Files Without Adobe Illustrator