Export to Other File Formats


Illustrator has four native vector file formats to which you can save files: Illustrator (AI) format, Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) format, Portable Document File (PDF) format, and Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG or SVG compressed) format. Save to any of these formats by choosing File Save As and choosing a format from the Save As dialog box. (The specific options available vary depending on your operating system.)

There are advantages and disadvantages to using each of these formats.

  • Illustrator s AI files open fully editable in Illustrator. If you use the File Export dialog box to save to an older version of Illustrator, you ll create a version of the file that can be opened in the older version. In general, all of the features that you have assigned are preserved in the down-versioned file, but some features, such as transparency, will not be editable. Therefore, if you save to an older version of Illustrator, you should save a separate version of the file in Illustrator CS.

  • Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) files also open fully editable in Illustrator. This format is more widely supported than Illustrator s AI file format. Your print shop or desktop publisher is likely to prefer EPS files to AI files.

  • Portable Document File (PDF) files preserve only some of the features and effects assigned in Illustrator, and they are not fully editable. PDF files are very widely supported and can be opened and read by anyone with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

  • Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) files (or Compressed Scalable Vector Graphics SVGZ files) are used with XML and web publishing and are not editable in Illustrator.

When you save to either EPS or PDF formats, you can generate a thumbnail (a small preview version of the illustration). Saving to either of these formats also allows you to embed fonts with the file so that it can be opened even if the recipient s system does not have all the fonts in the document.

All four of the native file formats preserve the scalability and reduced file size typical of vector graphics.

Caution  

If you save a file without embedding fonts, and if the recipient does not have those fonts on his or her system, the recipient will be prompted to substitute a different font when opening the file.

More Export Options

Along with supporting popular generic raster file formats, Illustrator also allows you to export to various proprietary formats, including Adobe s own Photoshop format. However, you can open Illustrator files right in Photoshop, so in most cases that s a simpler and more effective option.

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Export to Raster Formats

It's generally preferable to maintain a vector format for Illustrator artwork. However, sometimes publication specs require a file to be submitted in a raster format such as TIFF (Transport Independent File Format) or PICT. Saving Illustrator artwork to raster formats is covered in Chapter 23.

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Illustrator CS has added the Save for Microsoft Office option to the File menu. Microsoft s Office suite (including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) uses the PNG format as its native compressed image format. While most Office installations can import or use dozens of graphic file formats, PNG is the standard and most widely supported, even for users who have elected to do minimal installation for Office. When you choose File Save for Microsoft Office from the menu, Illustrator saves your open document in PNG format.

Other supported file formats include the CAD format used in technical design programs such as AutoCAD, the TGA (Targa) format used in video production, and the Windows Metafile (WMF) format that incorporates vector images into Windows documents.




How to Do Everything with Illustrator CS
How to Do Everything with Adobe Illustrator CS
ISBN: 0072230924
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2002
Pages: 175
Authors: David Karlins

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