Trying to open an AI file

It is my understanding from reading Corel 13 help files that I can open any AI file.

I have an AI file that is 1853kb (is that big???) ....but it wont open/import

I have tried opening up corel and doing an import.....

and also going to my folder/ the ai file/open

nothing...

corel doesnt do anything

Any suggestions?

OK, first of all, the file isn't too big. (Large for an upload or web file, but not for a regular graphics file.) Second, Corel X3 can open only SOME AI files. It is my understanding that CGS X3 came out before the latest versions of Illustrator, so can't open AI files from the last version or so. Try to get whoever sent you the AI file to save it to an earlier version or save it as an EPS or PDF. If you can't do that, maybe you can find someone on the list who has a recent version of AI who would be willing to help you out. (I don't own any version of Illustrator or I'd do it for you. Sorry.) Hope that helps at least clear up a few things. Val P.

 

I have Illy CS2, you're welcome to send me the file and I'll give it a shot for you.

She has Illustrator CS 2

Is Corel 13 ai files compatible????

 

sent me the file and we'll find out............probably not, if it won't import for you.

 Worst case, I'll open the file in Illy for you and re-save it back to a lower Illy version.....that will definitely open for you in Corel.

 To be honest, I much prefer fooling with .eps files...................ai files are just too finicky.

 

Diane

X3 can open any .ai file up to CS2. (I have it as well)

-Do you get any sort of error message ?

 

Ted

Diane,

I appreciate the offer but we are having our packaging redone so there will be many, many files like this....I need to find a way to do this on my end.

Ted,

Looks like Im out of luck as she has the CS2 version...

No error message...my mouse thingy just keeps spinning and spinning.....like corel is thinking about it but it never gets past that...

Will need to go a different route.

When saving from CS2, make sure that the option to create a PDF compatible file is selected. It's turned on by default. More details about Importing Illustrator files can be found in the CorelDRAW X3 online help. In the help, click on the search tab and search for "Illustrator". Also have a look at the technical notes about that file format in the help. 

I meant that X3 can open up to and including CS2. Check Gérard's reply for more tech. specs.

Ted

Try to rename .ai file to .pdf file (it is basically the same thing), and then import as pdf (for .ai version CS2 and newer). Works for me from time to time. Anyway, you will have problem if there is some Illustrator-specific effect is used in .ai file.

 One thing that can help sometimes, is to choose in the file format field: ai.
And not just choose All files.
This sometimes helps.
Try to use both import and export.

Stefan Lindblad:

 One thing that can help sometimes, is to choose in the file format field: ai.
And not just choose All files.
This sometimes helps.
Try to use both import and export.

 

Hola, Esteban (Hi, Stefan), saludos desde España (greetings from Spain), un gusto verte de nuevo (nice to see you again)
 

Sometimes, the "correct"  file format is not AI. The CS / CS2 Illustre format, is PDF native, and you must choose .PDF· in the file list. Also, to rename the AI file can help, but can loose some information.

 

best regards

Ariel 

Another thing you can try is to save the file as a PDF after you open it in Acrobat Reader, then try importing it. If that doesn't work, go to an online conversion site like Zamzar (www.zamzar.com) and convert that PDF file to PS (post script). Then, import it into corelDRAW. 

tifusar:

Try to rename .ai file to .pdf file (it is basically the same thing), and then import as pdf (for .ai version CS2 and newer). Works for me from time to time. Anyway, you will have problem if there is some Illustrator-specific effect is used in .ai file.

 

 

you can also rename it to .eps and try it 

 OK, I am new here, but have been using Corel Draw since 1996 or so.  To "open" an .AI file, you have to use the IMPORT function.  Then select the .eps, .ai interpolated filter.  That works on ever .ai file that I have ever used.  Hope this helps.

Eric