Placed AI file turns to PDF in InDesign

[Brian_Schlueter@adobeforums.com]

We are using Illustrator 10 and InDesign 2. When an Illustrator drawing is created and saved as an AI file, then placed into InDesign, it comes in as a PDF graphic.

#1 Should Illustrator drawings (that are destined for placement in InDesign) be saved as AI or EPS?

#2 Why does an AI file change into a PDF when placed in InDesign?

Thanks, Brian

[Bob_Levine]

AI files are actually a flavor of PDF. What's happening for to ask this
question?

Bob

[Brian_Schlueter@adobeforums.com]

Bob,

I'm preflighting a brochure before sending it out to print, and in the links and images portion of the preflight window, the file type column shows some AI files as EPS type and some AI files as PDF type. The Illustrator 10 files seem to be the ones that show as PDF. Older AI file show as EPS.

I'm not having any problems with the graphics on screen or on printing proofs, just curious as to the the pros and cons of AI, EPS, or PDF when saving from Illustrator to ID.

-Brian

[Bob_Levine]

There are no problems then. AI files after version 8 (IIRC) use a type
of PDF as the file format. Before that they used EPS.

Bob

[mikewitherell_at_jetsetcom_dot_net]

That's right. AI is really PDF under the hood. InDesign supports older EPS, and now also PDF and AI files (which must be PDF compatible, or no go in InDesign). Think: Illustrator IS pdf. No problems.

Mike Witherell in Washington DC