Need help opening a .ai Mac file on a PC

[elmorro]

I am a silk screener and all of my art work is done in a Mac. Most of my customers however create their artwork using the Windows version of Illustrator. How can I open artwork created on a PC on my Mac and vice versa?

Thanks in advance,
Elmorro

 

[itchybug]

Elmo:

The Illustrator format is cross-platform, or rather it's platform-independent, so you should not have any significant problems, except one: Fonts.

Fonts are platform-specific, and even if someone using a PC includes the font files with their Illustrator doc, you still can't use them. Unless you have the same font in a Mac version, you're better off asking your clients to outline the fonts before sending you the file (Select the text, then Type>Create Outlines or Ctrl-Shift-O). Make sure to have them include a copy of the live text on a separate layer in case it needs future editing.

HTH

Bert

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[jmgalvin]

One problem that crops up, besides those mentioned above, is encoding problems when attached to an email. This can be the result of teh settings used by an end user or a dial up service. It usually occors on pc to mac and resul;ts in no open or gibberish when yu open. The easiest way around this is to ask the people to zip the ai thing, Zip files will open with a normanl double click on osx since zip is now included in the os.

As Itchbug said, you're probably best off asking people to outline the fonts. You also might be best asking them to send you eps (with fonts outlined). It will open right up in AI and be easily workable, if necessary.



Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[elmorro]

Thanks itchybug and jmgalvin for your prompt response.
Do either of you know if Photoshop is also platform-independent (i.e. MAC to PC or PC to MAC)?

elmorro

 

[itchybug]

Yup.

http://www.itchybug.com