Is illustrator the only software that can open .ai files?

[syph007]

I'm just asking because it's ridiculously expensive.  I just wanted to start fiddling around and open some of the vector art files available on the web, but was wondering if the only program that works is illustrator?

[Ryglore]

As far as I know Illustrator is the only program you can use for it. .ai basically means adobe illustrator....

[Trebeck]

You can open them with Photoshop as well but it's not really editable anymore.

[Ond]

Corel Draw can import and modify illustrator files, you may be able to come by that more cheaply.

[Ryglore]

You can open them with Photoshop as well but it's not really editable anymore.

ya actually the file you are opening in Photoshop of the .ai file is a pdf copy of the file.

[Epyx]

@Syph007

You have a few options. I open .AI files in the free program Inkscape

You can do this one of two ways:

1)  Use a translator program to convert the .AI file into .SVG

http://sk1project.org/modules.php?name=Products&product=uniconvertor

or

2) Install plugins for Inkscape to open .AI files.


Other utilities to accomplish this:

http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Tools#ai2svg.py

NOTE: These aren't perfect but its worked for me to open at least a dozen or so arcade files (marquees etc) with no issues in Inkscape.

[Blanka]

I have to say that .AI is not .AI!
There's a zillion versions of .AI. If I would put .AI on the web, I would either do it as version 8 or lower of .AI (about the last real AI version) or as editable PDF (currect style AI) with PDF extension.
AI version 8 can be read by many vector packages like Inkscape, Freehand, CorelDRAW. Editable PDF as well, but it might loose layer-information.
If you have a modern AI that does not open, try renaming it as PDF, as that is actually what it is.

[syph007]

Thanks for the help guys.  So far I'm finding inkscape pretty good to use.  And ive used that python script to convert ai files to svg.  So far so good.

[Epyx]

Ya that has worked for me so far as well...im a total newb to vector based programs but so far so good.

[syph007]

Im not a computer newb, but a total artwork newb.  All I'm trying to do at this point is design my CP layout for a drilling template, then art comes after.  I got the shapes i wanted at the right scale, but now when i hit print only 1 page is printed, its to teh right scale, but i just get one corner of the CP being printed.  I expected it would have all been sent to the printer and Id have to tape it together.  Am I missing something stupid?

[Epyx]

Likewise...im an IT guy but most of any artwork I have done has been photoshopped (although would probably qualify as chopped hehe).

As for printing depends on the program...but you likely have it set in page setup to just print 1 page.  Most programs will let you adjust the printing so you can print out in tiles/multiple pages. 

[syph007]

ah I finally found a solution.  Inkscape doesnt yet support multi page print, so what I did was export to a png file and print from another application.  Now I can finally mess around with control placements and do real world tests.

[syph007]

cool! it works.  I was trying to do my layouts and was using existing templates I found in svg format.  Well when printed none of them were quite right.  So I decided to make my own templates with careful measurements and create an svg file for each control i have.  Here is my test with the U360 mounting plate.  Worked perfect!   I know this isnt too exciting to you guys who know how to do this, but im pretty happy I tought myself inkscape today and that it actually worked out.  I'll make my svgs available if whem Im done.  If there was an existing good u360 template, i sure couldnt find it.

[solid12345]

If I could make a suggestion as well

One thing about illustrator, it has not progressed much in literally the last decade, most .ai files are usually exported in at least version 9 and up if not lower. If you can find an old copy of illustrator on ebay or craigs list you are good to go. If you can't find any that route, even try calling some of your local design agencies, I know when I interned at one the owner had been in business for so long he had boxes of old versions of software just sitting there doing nothing.

[syph007]

If I could make a suggestion as well

One thing about illustrator, it has not progressed much in literally the last decade, most .ai files are usually exported in at least version 9 and up if not lower. If you can find an old copy of illustrator on ebay or craigs list you are good to go. If you can't find any that route, even try calling some of your local design agencies, I know when I interned at one the owner had been in business for so long he had boxes of old versions of software just sitting there doing nothing.

Ya I think they must have mostly been from old ai versions as the converters I found had no problem converting them to svg.