About saving and exporting artwork
When you save or export artwork, Illustrator writes the artwork data to a file. The structure of the data depends on the file format that you select. There are four basic file formats--AI, PDF, EPS, and SVG--that store vector data in such a way that it can be reopened and edited in Illustrator. There are also a variety of non-native formats that let you export data for use outside of Illustrator. Keep in mind that when you choose a non-native format, Illustrator will not be able to retrieve all of the data if you reopen the file in Illustrator. For this reason, it is recommended that you save artwork in AI, PDF, EPS, or SVG format until you are finished creating it, and then export the artwork to the desired format. You can use the following methods to save and export artwork: - Choose File > Save to save artwork to its current AI, PDF, EPS, SVG, or SVGZ file. If you haven't previously saved the artwork, or if the current file is not an AI, PDF, EPS, or SVG file, the Save command functions in the same way as the Save As command.
- Choose File > Save As to save artwork to a different AI, PDF, EPS, SVG, or SVGZ. In the Save As dialog box, select a location for the file, enter a filename, choose a format from the Save as Type (Windows) or Format (Mac OS) pop-up menu, and click Save.
- Choose File > Save a Copy to save an identical copy of the artwork while leaving the original file as the active file. In the Save a Copy dialog box, select a location for the file, enter a filename, choose a format from the Save as Type (Windows) or Format (Mac OS) pop-up menu, and click Save.
- Choose File > Export to export artwork using a non-native format. In the Export dialog box, select a location for the file, enter a filename, choose a format from the Save as Type (Windows) or Format (Mac OS) pop-up menu, and click Save. If the format you want to use is not available, install the format's plug-in module. (See Using plug-in modules.)
- Choose File > Save for Web to optimize artwork for Web display using the JPEG, GIF, PNG, SVG, and SWF formats. (See Optimizing images.)
- Use the Clipboard and the drag-and-drop feature to export selected portions of artwork. (See Using the Clipboard to copy artwork, and Using the drag-and-drop feature to copy artwork.)
For more information on specific file formats, see About graphic file formats.
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