When a designer sends you an .ai file but you don't have Illustrator installed, converting it to PDF is the fastest way to open it. This tool turns .ai files into PDFs you can open anywhere, so you can review mockups, send them to a print shop, or share their contents without any software.
When Adobe Illustrator saves an .ai file with the 'Create PDF Compatible File' option turned on, it embeds PDF data inside the file. This tool simply pulls out that embedded PDF data and saves it as a PDF file. In other words, it isn't an AI-based or automatic conversion engine — it extracts the PDF that's already inside the file. Files up to 200MB are supported.
Conversion happens entirely inside your browser, and your file is never sent to a server. Even leak-sensitive files like unreleased design mockups or original logo artwork can be converted with peace of mind.
How to Use
- 1
Select an .ai file
Load the Illustrator file you want to convert. Files up to 200MB are supported.
- 2
Run the conversion
Click the convert button and your browser extracts the PDF-compatible data inside the .ai file to build a PDF.
- 3
Download
Download the finished PDF and open it on any device.
When It's Useful
Open without Illustrator
On a PC that doesn't have the software, convert a designer's .ai mockup to PDF and check it right away.
Share mockups & get feedback
Send a PDF instead of an .ai file so clients or teammates can open it on any device and give feedback.
Send to a print shop
Produce a mockup in the PDF format print shops ask for, to hand over for review and proofing.
Bundle multiple mockups
Convert each .ai mockup you received to PDF, then use 'Merge PDF' to combine them into one file for an at-a-glance review.
Tips
- The converted PDF is for viewing and sharing. To edit the design, you'll need the original .ai file and Illustrator.
- If conversion fails, ask whoever saved the file to re-save it with the 'Create PDF Compatible File' option enabled. Without that option there's no embedded PDF data to extract, so it won't convert.
- Files saved in Adobe Illustrator CS or later are supported. Very old formats may not convert.
- If you received several mockups, convert each to PDF and then bundle them into one file with 'Merge PDF' for easier review.
- If you want to reuse what you see in the PDF as images, use the 'PDF to Image' tool to export pages as JPG or PNG.
- If it's headed to a print shop, it's safest to verify that the colors and resolution in the converted PDF came out as intended.
FAQ
Does 'AI' here mean artificial intelligence?
No. Here, AI refers to the Adobe Illustrator (.ai) file format. It has nothing to do with AI-based conversion — the tool extracts the PDF data embedded inside the .ai file.
Does it really work without Illustrator?
Yes — that's exactly what this tool is for. You can convert an .ai file to PDF and open it with just your browser, no extra software required.
Will every .ai file convert?
Only files saved with the 'Create PDF Compatible File' option enabled will convert. Files saved with that option off have no embedded PDF data, so they won't convert. Adobe Illustrator CS and later are supported.
How does the conversion work?
When the 'Create PDF Compatible File' option is on, an .ai file stores PDF data inside it. This tool pulls out that embedded PDF data and saves it as a PDF file.
Does my design file get uploaded to a server?
No. Conversion runs 100% inside your browser, and the file is never sent anywhere. Even unreleased mockups stay safe.
Can I turn the converted PDF back into an .ai file?
This tool only supports one-way .ai → PDF conversion. To turn a PDF into an editable .ai file, you'll need to open it directly in Illustrator.
Is layer information preserved?
PDF is a viewing format, so the layer structure is flattened. The result shown on screen looks identical to the original.
Is there a limit on the file size I can upload?
You can convert .ai files up to 200MB at a time.