Adobe Illustrator/CorelDraw file compatibility

From:	Carl (CSEWELL)	25 Aug 2006
To:	ALL	1 of 12

4694.1
All; Does anyone know what versions of Adobe Illustrator files for the Mac can be successfully imported into CorelDraw v12? A local artist has requested that I print his artwork, but he's not very computer literate and, for some reason, he will not send me an AI file from his Adobe Illustrator v10 Mac stating that Mac's and PCs are not compatible. I even sent him an exported AI file from CorelDraw, which he successfully opened. I'm planning on visiting him on Monday with a 10lb sledge hammer unless someone can give me some different ammunition. Does the Mac version of AI have a "Save As" to be compatible with non-Mac PCs? Thanks. Carl Guntersville Laser Engraving Guntersville, AL http://www.GuntersvilleLaser.com

From:	gnocchi	25 Aug 2006
To:	Carl (CSEWELL)	2 of 12

4694.2 In reply to 4694.1

Carl,

Illustrator is cross platform, it doesn't matter where it is created as long as the file being imported isn't newer than the program being used.
I prefer to work in illustrator but my laser prefers to work with corel, all I do is save from illustrator as a version 3 .ai file. I have not had a problem with this method.

Hope this helps
Mark

Gnocchi
Waverley Trophies & Engraving

From:	Dave Jones (DAVERJ)	25 Aug 2006
To:	Carl (CSEWELL)	3 of 12

4694.3 In reply to 4694.1

I believe the only part that is incompatable between Mac and PC with Illustrator 10 is the preview image if he has not selected TIFF as the preview image. By default earlier versions of Illustrator on the Mac (AI10 is pre CS-1) used PICT as the preview image. The objects within the rest of the file should be compatable. And if he selects TIFF as his preview image then that should also be compatable.

I know nothing about CD12 compatability though.

From:	laserman (MIKEMAC)	28 Aug 2006
To:	Carl (CSEWELL)	4 of 12

4694.4 In reply to 4694.3

Carl,

We have never had any issues with version 7. All of our Mac guys save there illustrator files as IBM PC EPS Version 7. And we have never had any problems importing them into corel.

CEM- Sales and Service of Universal Lasers, Versa Lasers, and Meistergram / H-square engravers.
2800 S. Main St.,Unit C
Santa Ana, Ca 92707
714-444-2385

From:	bruce (BBSD)	29 Aug 2006
To:	laserman (MIKEMAC)	5 of 12

4694.5 In reply to 4694.4
Try exporting eveything as an Adobe EPS (legacy) vers 8 for compatability in Illustrator. Corel 9 and adobe CS will open both. select type in illustrator and choose type and convert to outlines. Select text and choose arrange and convert to curves. then export from either.

From:	Carl (CSEWELL)	29 Aug 2006
To:	bruce (BBSD)	6 of 12

4694.6 In reply to 4694.5
Bruce; I think your reply was for me. Is there a "Save As" in the Mac version of Illustrator 10? Or does he need to go through the Export (File>Export?) to get to the "Adobe EPS (legacy)...."? I exported (Save As) a file from CorelDraw v12 to the Mac version 7 of AI and he was able to open it and modify it but he could not save the changes, "Cannot save changes on this old format". Does AI default to the same version that it was read in as? I told him try to Save As (if it exists in AI) but he hasn't gotten back to me. I guess I need to run over there and see if I can figure it out. Thanks. Carl Guntersville Laser Engraving Guntersville, AL http://www.GuntersvilleLaser.com

From:	Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY)	29 Aug 2006
To:	Carl (CSEWELL)	7 of 12

4694.7 In reply to 4694.6
The changes he made may not be in the older version. Corel Draw has that problem as well as any others that have added new features. The new features cannot be saved in the old format. Rock & hard place. Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem) When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

From:	Dave Jones (DAVERJ)	29 Aug 2006
To:	Carl (CSEWELL)	8 of 12

4694.8 In reply to 4694.6
Usually when AI gives that warning it is because whatever changes he made use features that the older version didn't have. His edits used features that the AI 7 file format can't save. When he received that error he should have been given the option to save in a newer format. Chances are that newer format will work fine in your CD 12.

From:	Carl (CSEWELL)	29 Aug 2006
To:	Dave Jones (DAVERJ)	9 of 12

4694.9 In reply to 4694.8
Okay, thanks. That seems backwards to me. AI saves in the same format that the file was opened as? Is that a Mac thing? Carl Guntersville Laser Engraving Guntersville, AL http://www.GuntersvilleLaser.com

From:	Dave Jones (DAVERJ)	29 Aug 2006
To:	Carl (CSEWELL)	10 of 12

4694.10 In reply to 4694.9

No, that's true with the PC version too. It assumes that if you open and edit an older version you might need to give the edited copy back to somebody with that old program.

But if you make changes using new features and it can't save them in the old format it will say so, and should give you the option to save in a newer format.

With SaveAs you are making a new file, so it defaults to saving it in the latest version.

EDITED: 29 Aug 2006 by DAVERJ

From:	Carl (CSEWELL)	29 Aug 2006
To:	Dave Jones (DAVERJ)	11 of 12

4694.11 In reply to 4694.10
Exellent. Thanks! Carl Guntersville Laser Engraving Guntersville, AL http://www.GuntersvilleLaser.com

From:	bruce (BBSD)	29 Aug 2006
To:	Carl (CSEWELL)	12 of 12

4694.12 In reply to 4694.6

in corel, I can't control nor do I know which level is saved as or exported as EPS but you can choose postscript level.