How to convert Adobe Illustrator (AI) to PDF
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Upload your file
Drag and drop a file or click to select one. Keep this page open while the file uploads and converts.
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Convert Adobe Illustrator (AI) to PDF
NexMedia converts Adobe Illustrator (AI) to PDF on its own servers. Processing time depends on the file size and how busy the queue is.
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Download the converted file
When the conversion finishes, the download appears on this page. Your converted file is kept for 2 hours, then deleted.
About Adobe Illustrator (AI)
AI is the native document format of Adobe Illustrator; modern AI files are based on PDF.
Working files for logos and illustrations made in Adobe Illustrator.
Illustrator's own editing data, such as live effects, is understood only by Illustrator; this service reads AI files and converts the artwork to PDF, SVG or EPS.
Convert AI to PDF online free, no account required — PDF is the fixed-layout document standard.
Change AI to PDF without losing quality — convert AI to PDF free in your browser.
Why does my AI file open differently or not at all outside Illustrator? The native format stores Illustrator layers and effects that other programs only partly understand — exporting a PDF, SVG or PNG version shares the design without surprises.
About PDF
PDF (Portable Document Format) is the ISO 32000 standard for fixed-layout documents that look the same on every device.
Sharing, printing and archiving documents; here PDF is an output format for images, drawings and e-books.
This service only creates PDFs; editing, merging or converting existing PDFs is the job of NexDocs.
Why convert documents to PDF? The layout looks identical on every device and printer, which is exactly why forms, invoices and papers are exchanged as PDF.
What changes when you convert AI to PDF
- Vector conversion is best-effort: shapes stay vectors in the PDF, but effects, fonts and some styling of the AI may be approximated.
Settings you can change
Before you convert AI to PDF, you can adjust: Width, Height, Resolution (DPI), Transparent background, Background, Convert text to paths, and Crop to content.
Limits
Each plan sets a maximum file size and a number of conversions per day, and video and audio files also have a maximum length. Guests can convert files up to 100 megabytes and 5 per day; a free account raises this to 500 megabytes and 25 per day; paid plans go up to 100 gigabytes.
Your converted PDF file is kept for 2 hours, then deleted.
AI to PDF: questions and answers
Does converting AI to PDF reduce quality?
Vector conversion is best-effort: shapes stay vectors in the PDF, but effects, fonts and some styling of the AI may be approximated.
What is the difference between AI and PDF?
AI is Adobe Illustrator's native document format. PDF is the fixed-layout document standard.
Can I change the settings when converting AI to PDF?
Before you convert AI to PDF, you can adjust: Width, Height, Resolution (DPI), Transparent background, Background, Convert text to paths, and Crop to content.
Do I need an account to convert AI to PDF?
No. You can convert AI to PDF without an account; signing in raises the file-size and daily limits.
How long is my converted PDF file kept?
The PDF file you convert from AI is kept for 2 hours, then deleted automatically.
Can I keep editing the PDF as a vector?
Vector conversion is best-effort: shapes stay vectors in the PDF, but effects, fonts and some styling of the AI may be approximated.
Will converting AI to PDF change my original file?
No. The conversion reads your AI and writes a new PDF file, leaving your original AI file untouched.
Works with NexDocs
For document workflows involving Adobe Illustrator (AI), PDF, PDF or other office work, NexDocs handles the full end-to-end op.
Open NexDocs →