Adobe Illustrator is a software program. It is required to create vector-based designing and drawing purposes. It is an efficient tool for designers as they can use it for designing a single element as well as a full project.
It was launched in 1985 by Adobe Inc. since then it has gained popularity among designers and has become the industry standard requirement for graphic designing.
Adobe Illustrator(AI) and Encapsulated PostScript(EPS) are two formats used in the program. User can use these file formats to save the work he/she does in the program.
AI vs EPS in Adobe Illustrator
The difference between AI and EPS in Adobe Illustrator is that AI is the very own Illustrator format designed by Adobe for the representation of vector-based drawings of a single page in EPS and PDF formats. EPS is a format that preserves graphic elements created with Illustrator and the files can be reopened and edited.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | AI Format | EPS Format |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Format | It is a proprietary format. Source code is not available | It is an open-source format. Source code is available |
| Transparency | AI format supports transparency | EPS format does not support transparency. |
| Support | AI format supports more complex object types. | EPS format comparatively supports less complex object types. |
| Use | Its is mostly used for logos, symbols, icons and print media | It is mostly used for printing high-resolution images in graphics format |
| Graphics | AI can handle only vector graphics and not bitmap graphics. | EPS can handle both vector and bitmap graphics. |
| File Name | Files are stored with the extension of ‘.ai’ | Files are stored with the extension of ‘.eps’ |
| Size | AI files are comparatively smaller. | EPS files are larger than AI files. |
| Future | AI format is futuristic. It is the native Illustrator format in Adobe Illustrator | EPS format is dying and is mostly used for creation of old vector graphics. |
What is AI Format?
Adobe Illustrator Artwork (AI) is an exclusive document design created by Adobe Systems for speaking to single-page vector-based drawings in either the EPS or PDF designs.
Graphics made using AI format can be used with utmost precision because these graphics retain their details at the maximum zoom level. AI files contain rich and editable information.
Rather than utilizing bitmap picture information, this format uses vector. Due to this reason, the designs created never lose their quality whenever amplified.
AI can contain only one page while this one page can contain multiple artworks. It is a proprietary format which supports transparency and to its credit has a smaller size.
What is EPS Format?
Encapsulated Postscript (EPS) file format, is used by Adobe Illustrator as a graphics format for vector images. It is a Document Structuring Conventions–adjusting (DSC) PostScript record design usable as an illustrations record design.
An EPS record is a PostScript program. EPS file projects can show a preview on the screen. Because of its capacity to utilize inserted contents, Microsoft eliminated uphold for EPS records in Microsoft Office programs in May 2018.
An EPS document can contain any blend of text, designs, and pictures. Since it is a PostScript document, it is one of the most adaptable records. EPS-documents
EPS is an open-source program which can support both vector and bitmap graphics although it does not support transparency.
Main Differences Between AI and EPS Formats in Adobe Illustrator
- AI Format files are comparatively smaller in size as compared to EPS Format files. This result in AI being efficient files compared to EPS files.
- As far as the future is concerned, the AI format has a brighter future as compared to EPS format. As EPS format is mostly used for old vector graphics while AI format has become the native Illustrator format in Adobe Illustrator.
References
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-60384-6_3
- https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/eps-vs-ai/td-p/1758034
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I am Sandeep Bhandari; I have 20 years of experience in the technology field. I have various technical skills and knowledge in database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about me on my bio page.
