AI file viewer
AI file viewer: see Illustrator artwork without Illustrator
A logo or a print file arrived as .ai? Drop it here to see the artwork. The AI file viewer draws each artboard in your browser and can save a PNG, without Illustrator and without an upload.
No viewer on their side? Save it as an image above, then share it as a tracked link.
Where to open AI files
Open an .ai file in three steps
For logos, brand kits, signage and print artwork from a designer.
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Step 1
Choose the .ai
Most files saved by Illustrator CS and later open here.
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Step 2
See every artboard
Each artboard is drawn sharply at screen size, one after another.
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Step 3
Save a PNG
Save the first artboard as a PNG for a document, slide or email.
What an AI file is
AI is Adobe Illustrator's native format for vector artwork: logos, icons, illustrations and print layouts that stay sharp at any size. Since Illustrator 9, an .ai file saved with Create PDF Compatible File (on by default) carries a complete PDF version of the artwork inside it. That PDF part is what other programs read, and the Library of Congress keeps a record of the PDF format family it belongs to.
How the viewer opens it
The viewer reads that PDF-compatible content with Mozilla's open-source pdf.js, the same engine Firefox uses for PDFs, and draws each artboard as a page. Colours are shown on screen in RGB, so a CMYK print file can look slightly different from its printed result. Layers, swatches and editable paths are not available here.
Files that will not open
An .ai saved with PDF compatibility switched off, or saved by Illustrator 8 or earlier, is PostScript-based and only Illustrator can read it. The viewer recognises these and tells you, instead of showing a blank page. Ask the designer to save it again with Create PDF Compatible File ticked, or to export a PDF or SVG.
Converting AI to JPG, PNG or PDF
- Here: open the file and press Save as PNG for the first artboard.
- To PDF: because a PDF-compatible .ai already contains a PDF, renaming a copy from .ai to .pdf often lets any PDF reader open it.
- In Illustrator: File, then Export, then Export As saves JPG, PNG or SVG at any size.
- Free editors: Inkscape imports PDF-compatible .ai files for editing.
FAQ
AI file viewer questions
Where can I open AI files?
In Adobe Illustrator to edit them, and in this viewer, Preview on a Mac or any PDF reader (after renaming a copy to .pdf) to see them.
How do I convert .AI to JPG?
Open it here and save the first artboard as PNG, then convert to JPG in any image editor if you need JPG. In Illustrator, use Export As.
Can I convert an AI file to PDF?
A PDF-compatible .ai already contains a PDF: rename a copy to .pdf, or use Save a Copy as PDF in Illustrator.
What is the best free software to open AI files?
For viewing, a browser viewer like this one or Preview on a Mac. For editing, Inkscape imports PDF-compatible .ai files.
Why does my AI file not open?
It was saved without PDF compatibility, or by a very old Illustrator version. Only Illustrator can read those files.
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