Convert AI to SHP

What is AI file?

The AI file extension is used as a native file format in Adobe Illustrator. It contains vector graphics, text, bitmap images, and other elements that can be used in various editing sessions. The AI file format is platform independent and widely adopted as an industry standard for publishing data. [ ⏩ ] AI file extension

What is SHP file?

The SHP file extension is a computer file used to store vector-based graphical shapes, such as points, lines, and polygons. It is commonly used in a wide range of GIS (geographic information system) software typically developed by Esri Global. Files with SHP file extension are created in the .SHP format, then stored in the .DBF or .SHX format. The files concerned with SHP typically include the SHX shape index, SHP shape format points, and DBF dBase database. [ ⏩ ] SHP file extension

How to convert the file from AI to SHP?

To successfully convert the AI file to SHP, you should install one of the applications from the list. After installing the software, open the program and select the file you want to convert (file-name.AI). The next step is to select the target format from the list, in this case SHP (usually converters allow you to convert to several different formats, so check out their features - maybe one of the available formats will suit you more than SHP).

What is a file conversion?

A data conversion is normally an automated process to some extent. The effect of the operation of one program is automatically the input product of another application. If that does not happen we need to help the process a little bit and convert the file on our own, e.g. AI to SHP. To obtain a matched structure of the data, it is necessary to use an appropriate converter.

Program for converting AI files to SHP files is a kind of a "binary code translator" compensating for the differences in the code or translating it in such a way so that another application could use it. For us, as users, the visible change will be only another file extension. (After converting the file, it will be the extension SHP, while before this step we had the AI file). For the programs, the difference is on a much higher level – either the application will be able to open a new SHP file, or not.

Other AI and SHP file conversions