Format
Last updated on
Oct 24, 2026
Learn about export settings and available options for supported Illustrator file formats.
Illustrator supports multiple export formats for print, web, CAD, and image workflows. This reference explains the available export options for each supported format.
Supported export formats
Adobe Illustrator supports the following formats for exporting artwork:
|
|
Extension |
Best for |
Key characteristics |
|
AutoCAD Drawing |
DWG |
CAD workflows |
Vector graphics maintain editability in AutoCAD. |
|
AutoCAD Interchange File |
DXF |
CAD workflows |
Drawing interchange format for AutoCAD compatibility. |
|
BMP |
BMP |
Windows applications |
Standard Windows raster format. |
|
Enhanced Metafile |
EMF |
Windows applications |
Vector format for Windows; may rasterize some data. |
|
JPEG |
JPG |
Web, photography |
Lossy compression maintains color information. |
|
Macintosh PICT |
PICT |
macOS graphics applications |
Effective for large areas of solid color. |
|
Photoshop |
PSD |
Photoshop workflows |
Preserves layers and editability where possible. |
|
PNG |
PNG |
Web, transparency |
Lossless compression preserves transparency. |
|
SVG |
SVG |
Web, responsive graphics |
XML-based vector format. |
|
Targa |
TGA |
Video production |
Designed for Truevision video boards. |
|
Text Format |
TXT |
Text extraction |
Exports text content only. |
|
TIFF |
TIF |
Print, cross-platform |
Flexible bitmap format with compression options. |
|
Windows Metafile |
WMF |
Windows applications |
16-bit vector format; use EMF when possible. |
|
WebP |
WEBP |
Web |
Modern format with superior compression. |
|
|
|
Universal distribution |
See Create Adobe PDF files for complete details. |
Note
You can export multiple artboards only to SWF, JPEG, PSD, PNG, and TIFF formats.
AutoCAD export options (DWG and DXF)
|
Option |
Description |
|
AutoCAD Version |
Specifies the version of AutoCAD that supports the exported file. |
|
Scale |
Enter values for Scale Units to specify how Illustrator interprets length data. |
|
Scale Lineweights |
Scales the lineweights along with the rest of the drawing. |
|
Number of Colors |
Determines the color depth of the exported file. |
|
Raster File Format |
Specifies whether rasterized content is saved in PNG or JPEG format; PNG supports transparency. |
|
Preserve Appearance |
Preserves appearance by outlining text and rasterizing unsupported effects. |
|
Maximum Editability |
Preserves editable objects where possible. |
|
Export Selected Art Only |
Exports only selected artwork. |
|
Alter Paths For Appearance |
Changes paths in AutoCAD to maintain the original appearance. |
|
Outline Text |
Converts all text to paths to maintain visual fidelity; eliminates text editability. |
|
Always Export Group as Block Reference |
Exports groups as blocks in DWG/DXF format. |
Note
By default, white strokes or fills export to AutoCAD formats as black, and black strokes or fills export as white.
BMP and Targa export options
|
Option |
Description |
|
Color Model |
Determines the color model of the exported file. |
|
Resolution |
Determines the resolution of the exported raster file. |
|
Antialiasing |
Smooths jagged edges in rasterized artwork. |
JPEG export options
|
Option |
Description |
|
Color Model |
Determines the color model of the JPEG file. |
|
Quality |
Controls the balance between image quality and file size. |
|
Compression Method |
Baseline Standard - Maximum compatibility. Baseline Optimized - Smaller file size with optimized color. Progressive - Displays progressively while downloading. |
|
Resolution |
Determines the JPEG file's resolution. |
|
Antialiasing |
Removes jagged edges; deselect to maintain hard edges in line art. |
|
Imagemap |
Generates code for image maps; select Client-side (HTML) or Server-side map. |
|
Embed ICC Profiles |
Saves ICC profiles in the JPEG file for color management. |
Note
Saving a JPEG multiple times can introduce compression artifacts. Export JPEG files from the original artwork whenever possible.
Photoshop export options (PSD)
|
Option |
Description |
|
Color Model |
Determines the color model; changing models may cause unexpected changes in transparent areas. |
|
Resolution |
Determines the resolution of the exported file. |
|
Flat Image |
Merges all layers and exports as a rasterized image. |
|
Write Layers |
Exports groups, compound shapes, and nested layers (up to 5 levels) as editable Photoshop layers. |
|
Preserve Text Editability |
Exports horizontal and vertical point type as editable Photoshop type. |
|
Maximum Editability |
Converts top-level Illustrator layers into Photoshop layer sets. |
|
Antialiasing |
Removes jagged edges; deselect to maintain hard edges in line art. |
|
Embed ICC Profiles |
Creates a color-managed document. |
PNG export options
|
Option |
Description |
|
Resolution |
Determines rasterized image resolution; higher values increase quality and file size. |
|
Antialiasing |
Removes jagged edges; deselect to maintain hard edges in line art. |
|
Interlaced |
Displays low-resolution versions as the file downloads in a browser. |
|
Background Color |
Transparent - Preserves transparency. White - Fills transparent areas with white. Black - Fills transparent areas with black. |
SVG export options
|
Option |
Description |
|
Styling |
Internal CSS uses style tags with CSS classes for smaller files; Inline Style uses style attributes per tag; Presentation Attributes uses separate XML attributes (required for Android Studio). |
|
Font |
Determines font representation; Outlines preserve path definition and maximize compatibility. |
|
Images |
Choose embedded (within document) or linked (external files). |
|
Object IDs |
Specifies how object IDs are generated: Layer Names, Minimal, or Unique. |
|
Decimal |
Specifies coordinate precision; higher values increase fidelity and file size. |
|
Minify |
Optimizes file size by removing empty groups and spaces; reduces code readability. |
|
Responsive |
Ensures SVG scales within browsers without absolute size values. |
|
Show Code |
Opens exported content in the default text editor. |
|
Show in browser |
Displays the image in the default web browser. |
TIFF export options
|
Option |
Description |
|
Color Model |
Determines the color model of the exported file. |
|
Resolution |
Determines the rasterized image's resolution. |
|
Antialiasing |
Removes jagged edges; deselect to maintain hard edges in line art. |
|
LZW Compression |
Lossless compression that preserves image detail; produces smaller files. |
|
Embed ICC Profiles |
Embeds the ICC profile in the exported file. |
WebP export options
|
Option |
Description |
|
Lossless |
Preserves all image details but results in a larger file size. |
|
Lossy |
Reduces file size at the cost of some detail loss. |
|
Quality |
Determines quality when using Lossy compression; higher quality preserves more detail with larger file sizes. |
|
Resolution |
Determines the rasterized image's resolution. |
|
Antialiasing |
Removes jagged edges; deselect to maintain hard edges in line art. |
|
Background Color |
Fills transparent areas with the selected color. |
|
Embed ICC Profiles |
Creates a color-managed document. |
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