Shapefile to AI (Adobe Illustrator) converter
Upload your Shapefile file and get AI, which opens in Adobe Illustrator in a couple of minutes: osm2cdr reads the geometry of your file and hands you a ready AI straight away. Processing runs on our servers, the result is ready to download as soon as it finishes, and files up to 50 MB are supported. And if you have no file of your own, or need a fresh map of an area, osm2cdr builds AI straight from the OpenStreetMap map: you simply pick an area on the map, choose the AI format and download the result with up-to-date OSM data — with layers for buildings, roads, water and features.
How Shapefile differs from AI
| Format | Extension | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shapefile | .shp | GIS | ArcGIS, QGIS, spatial analysis, cartography |
| AI | .ai | Vector | Cartographic design, map layouts for magazines, creating map-based logos, print production |
How to get AI on osm2cdr
- 1Select an area on the map on the osm2cdr home page
- 2Choose the AI format and, if needed, a style and CRS
- 3Click Export and download the ready AI file
AI format properties
| Extension | .ai |
| Type | Vector |
| Purpose | Cartographic design, map layouts for magazines, creating map-based logos, print production |
When you need AI
The main scenario is simple: you already have a Shapefile file — upload it and osm2cdr returns AI, ready to use in a dedicated program (editing, printing, analysis, embedding in a project). The alternative is for when you have no file at hand or need a fresh map of an area: the same AI is then built straight from up-to-date OpenStreetMap data for your chosen area, split into layers for buildings, roads, water and features.
What changes when going Shapefile → AI
Drop in a Shapefile file and osm2cdr reads its geometry and returns AI; and with no file of your own, the same AI is built straight from the OpenStreetMap map for your chosen area. Either way the data model changes. Going Shapefile → AI, the data becomes styled vector graphics: attributes and tables are lost, but objects stay editable curves and layers fit for print and design. osm2cdr builds AI straight from OpenStreetMap geodata, with no intermediate Shapefile file.
Upload your own Shapefile file → AI
No need to hunt for a third-party converter anymore: drop your Shapefile file in the form above and osm2cdr will read the geometry and hand you a ready AI. Files up to 50 MB are supported; processing runs on our servers and the result is ready to download as soon as it finishes.
FAQ: Shapefile → AI
Can I upload my Shapefile file?
Yes, now you can: upload your Shapefile file right on this page and osm2cdr will read the geometry and convert it to AI. Files up to 50 MB are supported. If the data comes from OpenStreetMap, you can skip the upload entirely — we'll export the map straight into AI.
Is it free?
Yes, exporting an OpenStreetMap map to AI on osm2cdr is free. Select an area, the AI format and download the result.
Which programs open AI?
The AI format opens in dedicated programs for its category. See the AI format page for the full list and details.
Why is this better than an online Shapefile → AI converter?
An online converter caps the result quality at the quality of the source Shapefile file. osm2cdr takes data from the OpenStreetMap source and builds AI with correct layers directly — with no loss on an intermediate Shapefile file.