CAD tip # 10903:

Question

CAD

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How to import an Illustrator file (.AI) into AutoCAD (.DWG)?

Most vector files from Adobe Illustrator can be directly read into AutoCAD with the function for attaching or importing PDFs. Newer versions of the .AI format have internally the PDF format (must be saved with the Illustrator option "Create PDF Compatibile File").

So you can just rename them from the extension .AI to .PDF and then use the command PDFATTACH or PDFIMPORT in AutoCAD. The file name should not contain spaces. So you can import logos, sprites or other graphical motives and pictures created in Illustrator or other vector editor.

See also: PDF/AI -> DWG

Another option is saving (exporting) the DWG or DXF file directly from Illustrator. In the export options, try the options "Preserve Appearance" or the opposite "Maximum Editatibility" for optimization of transferring text and complex splines (curve segmentation).

ACADACLTInventorRevitmax

*CAD

14.5.2016 53757×

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applies to: AutoCAD · AutoCAD LT · Inventor · Revit · 3ds Max ·

See also:
Tip 14472:	Overview of CAD formats supported in Inventor 2026 (import/export/AnyCAD).
Tip 14347:	PDFIMPORT - No objects were imported.
Tip 14075:	Overview of CAD formats supported in Inventor 2025 (import/export/AnyCAD).
Tip 13622:	Bulk import pages from a multi-page PDF into AutoCAD.
Tip 13286:	Markup assistant with intelligent character recognition.

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