This article guides you on the top 5 AI to PDF converters online and explains how to edit your output PDF files with the best PDF editor software - PDFelement.
Storing files in the AI format is great if it's a working progress. But there are better ways to present the file when it is finished. AI is not a universal file type. Only a few programs can open it. That said, we recommend converting AI to PDF.
Why is it recommended to convert the file to PDF format? Simple. It's the best way to present a document. PDF is ubiquitous and lossless. Thus, opening them would not be a problem for the recipient of the file. They can use their web browser! Also, sending the file will not compromise its quality.
How to Convert AI to PDF
Overview of AI File
What is an AI file? It stands for Adobe Illustrator and is Adobe's proprietary file type for vector images.
Raster images are made of pixels. They lose resolution when scaled. On the other hand, vector images are built on an infinitely expandable complex graph-like formula. So they don't lose resolution when scaled.
You can open AI files on other programs aside from Adobe Illustrator. However, doing so may convert them from vector to raster images. So, it's advised that you install Adobe Illustrator to open AI files.
Differences Between AI and PDF
The AI format is designed for Adobe Illustrator, the leading graphic design software. It allows graphics to be infinitely scalable without compromising image quality. The problem with that is that you need to use Adobe Illustrator to open the file. Otherwise, the image may be displayed differently between devices.
On the other hand, PDF is designed for document sharing. PDF files appear the same way on different devices and readers. The format will remain the same, as is the image quality.
Many times, you'll find yourself in situations where you need to convert AI files to PDF. Here are the 5 best tools for that.
Tool 1. Convert AI File to PDF With MConverter
MConverter is an online converter tool that lets users convert AI files to other formats. The supported output formats include GIF, BMP, JPG, PDF, and many others. It accepts AI files as big as 1GB. There's also a batch processing option.
MConverter offers more than AI to PDF conversions. This web service also provides you with a PDF compressor. It's useful, especially when sending files to others through emails.
This program is also available as a desktop or Android app.
How To Convert AI Files to PDF Using MConverter
So, how do you convert AI files to PDF files using MConverter? Follow these steps:
Step 1. Launch your preferred web browser.
Step 2. Go toMConverter website.
Step 3. Upload the AI files you want to convert to PDF by:
a. Dragging the AI files and dropping them on the box at the center of the screen
b. Clicking "Browse" to select the file from your computer.
c. Clicking "Paste." This works only if the AI file is in your clipboard.
Step 4. Select "PDF."
Step 5. MConverter will convert the AI file to PDF. Wait for it to finish. Click the Download icon to download the PDF file. Or click the Share icon > "Share" > "Mail" to send the file to others via email.
Pros
Supports conversion of files up to 1 GB.
Offers batch conversion.
Offers a PDF compressor.
Available as an Android or Desktop app.
You are able to send the file directly to others through email.
Safe to use: the connection is encrypted, and MConverter deletes the files after 4 hours.
Cons
You need to upgrade to the Pro version to process big files. The file size limit for free conversions is 100 MB.
No integration with cloud storage systems, meaning you have to have the AI file on your computer.
Tool 2. Convert AI to PDF With File-Converter-Online
File-Convert-Online is a website founded in 2023. In its almost 10 years of existence, File-Convert-Online has helped people convert files for free. This service accepts so many input and output formats! To paint a picture, File-Converter-Online lets you do over 100 types of file conversions.
After converting AI files to PDF using this tool, you can use the other features to improve the PDF. File-Converter-Online lets you combine or compress PDF files.
How To Convert AI Files to PDF Using File-Converter-Online
Follow these instructions to convert AI files to PDF using File-Converter-Online.
Step 1. Open a web browser and visit File-Converter-Online's website.
Step 2. Click "All Converters."
Step 3. Under the "Image" column, find and click "AI to PDF."
Step 4. Click "Choose File" to upload the AI file from your computer. Alternatively, import your AI file from Google Drive, Dropbox, or via a URL.
Step 5. Click "Start Converting."
Step 6. File-Converter-Online will convert the AI file to PDF. Once it is done, a download will automatically start.
Pros
Completely free.
Offers batch processing.
Offers a PDF compressor and PDF combiner, which you may find useful.
Has an integration with cloud storage systems.
Cons
The interface is filled with annoying ads.
You need to get a Premium membership to convert more than 3 files at once.
Tool 3. Use PDFConvertOnline To Convert AI to PDF Online
PDFConvertOnline lets users do what the name suggests, plus a lot more. This tool lets users convert AI files to PDFs for free and without registration. After the conversion, you can use PDFConvertOnline to compress, join, rotate, protect, or even OCR the created PDFs.
Sadly, you can only process documents one at a time. PDFConvertOnline does not offer batch processing. Nevertheless, because it's 100% free, it's one of the best AI-to-PDF converters out there.
How To Convert AI to PDF Using PDFConvertOnline
This is how you convert AI to PDF Using PDFConvertOnline.
Step 1. Open a web browser and go to PDFConvertOnline website
Step 2. Click "Choose File" and upload the AI file you want to convert to PDF.
Step 3. Click "Convert Now."
Step 4. Wait for the process to be done. Then, you will see a box labeled "Output File." Click the file you'll see there to open the PDF on your web browser.
Step 5. Click the download icon at the top-right of your browser's PDF viewer.
Step 6. Rename the file. (Recommended.)
Pros
100% free.
No registration is required.
Offers other PDF tools.
Cons
Does not have batch processing capability.
No direct download button after the conversion.
Renames the output file to a random combination of letters and numbers.
Does not have an integration with cloud storage systems.
Tool 4. AllinPDF AI to PDF Converter Online
AllinPDF was developed by a group of programmers who wanted to resolve the inconveniences they had while working together. Since then, the program has evolved into the amazing online PDF tool that it is today.
To help others overcome the inconveniences that they face in document management, the group released AllinPDF free of charge. Yes, you don't have to pay to use this service. And the service includes a PDF converter, PDF merger, PDF splitter, PDF compressor, and more. That said, you can use AllinPDF to convert your AI file to PDF.
How To Convert AI to PDF USing AllinPDF
Step 1. Open AllinPDF's website on your web browser.
Step 2. Click "Convert" > "AI to PDF."
Step 3. Drop the AI file you want to convert into the blue box at the center of the screen. Or click the folder icon labeled "Choose file" to select the files from your computer.
Step 4. Ensure PDF is selected as the target file format. Click "OK."
Step 5. Optionally, click "Preview" to see how the PDF looks before you download it.
Step 6. Click "Download File Now."
Pros
Free to use.
Comes with other PDF tools you can use to edit the output PDF.
The interface is not filled with ads even though it's a free tool.
Cons
Does not offer batch processing.
No integration with cloud storage systems.
Tool 5. Use Zamzar to Convert AI File to PDF
Zamzar is among the top websites for file conversions. It's been around since 2006, and it is not going anywhere anytime soon. This online converter accepts AI as the input format and PDF as the output format.
You can convert files on Zamzar for free. However, you need to upgrade to the paid tiers to process bigger files, more files per day, or have a faster processing speed.
Sidenote: Zamzar promises to plant a tree for every 10,000 files converted. So, you can help the environment by using this converter.
How To Use Zamzar for AI to PDF Conversions
Step 1. Launch a web browser and visit Zamzar's website.
Step 2. Click "Converters" > "Image Converters."
Step 3. In the "Popular Image Formats" table, select "AI to PDF."
Step 4. Import the AI files that you want to convert. You can click "Choose Files" or drop the files to the button if it's on your computer. Alternatively, upload from URL, Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.
Step 5. Click "Convert Now."
Step 6. Click "Download."
Pros
Offers batch processing.
Has an integration with cloud storage systems.
Can send the output file via email.
Cons
Does not offer other PDF tools other than the converter.
There's a file size limit of 50 MB for free users.
There's a limit to how many files a free user can process per day.
[Bonus] Edit Your Output PDF Files Easily Like Word With PDFelement
Some of the tools above also provide you with PDF mergers and splitters. But sometimes, you need to do more than that. You may need to add text or links to the document. Or maybe you need to sign the document to prevent others from stealing your work. Password-protecting the file is also a great idea.
Therefore, having reliable PDF software installed on your computer is wise. We recommend using Wondershare PDFelement. It is a robust tool jam-packed with very useful features. You can OCR, compress, merge, and split PDFs just like the PDF tools mentioned above. On top of that, PDFelement lets you add images, text, links, comments, signatures, and others to the document.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit, 32-bit)
For macOS 10.14 or later
If you are still wondering about the other features of PDFelement, you are free to watch the video below.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit, 32-bit)
For macOS 10.14 or later
Why are we recommending PDFelement above other PDF software? It's very cost-effective. Additionally, PDFelement boasts a clean and intuitive interface, so it's very easy to use.
Conclusion
The 5 easy-to-use AI-to-PDF tools above let you convert files very quickly. They are fairly the same, with some minor differences. Choose a service based on whether or not it suits your needs.
After converting the file, you may want to edit the output PDF. Wondershare PDFelement is one of the best tools to use for that. Its rich collection of robust features, user-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness make it so reliable. Also, PDFelement offers security features that help prevent others from stealing your work.
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