How to Convert AI to BMP Format? Best Ways Explained

Mark Regan
Published: March 10th, 2025 • 7 Min Read

In various instances, users need to convert AI to BMP format for cross-platform accessibility and uncompressed high-quality images. If you are also finding the solution for the same, then this blog is crafted with all the information that is required to overcome the problem.

AI files are vector-based images that use mathematical formulas to store the image data. Secondly, these files are only accessible by specific platforms. However, on the other side, the BMP file format is a raster image. Means BMP image stores every detail in the form of pixels and can be accessed easily using generic applications like the Windows paint application.

Now let us have a walkthrough with the pain points for the need to export Illustrator to Bitmap file format. Thereafter, we will discover the free and automated solution to batch convert AI files to BMP format.

General Instances to Export Illustrator to BMP Format

Editing in Non-Vector Software: As we have discussed previously, the AI file format is the vector-based format. However, on a common ground, not all users have access to vector file editing software. While on the other hand, BMP is a raster-based format and supported by generic applications such as Microsoft Paint. Therefore, users often require to edit the AI file in a non-vector software. Here, users need to convert Illustrator files to BMP format.

Archiving Purposes: The BMP file is an uncompressed raster file designed to store high quality images. Some image quality-oriented users might convert AI to BMP format for archiving purposes. However, some users who just need to archive may convert AI to PDF. Additionally, the advantage of choosing BMP as the archiving format is that it is widely supported by the Windows Paint application irrespective of version change.

Printing Requirements: In certain printing requirements, raster format is preferred over vector format. Here, BMP is the most optimal option as it is uncompressed raster format. So, users can print the designs without losing quality and sharpness. Additionally, some printer applications directly support BMP format for printing as they can seamlessly process pixel data rather than AI file vector data. Therefore, users need to export Illustrator to Bitmap format.

How to Export Illustrator File to BMP format Using Adobe Illustrator?

At the start, download and run the Adobe Illustrator Application on your PC.
Next, locate the AI file on your desktop storage and right-click and select open with as Adobe Illustrator.
After that, go to the File tab and click on Export option & choose Export As.
Then, from the Save As Type option choose BMP format from the drop-down menu.
Thereafter, adjust the AI to BMP export settings like, PPI (pixel per inch), color mode, background color, etc.
Finally, after adjusting all these settings, click on Ok to export Illustrator to BMP format.

Note: To convert Illustrator file to BMP using the Adobe Illustrator, you must have the licensed version of the software application. Unless the above method will not work.

DIY Way to Convert AI file to BMP Format without Illustrator

To simplify AI to BMP conversion for non Adobe Illustrator users, we may use the combination of Inkscape and the Microsoft Paint application. Since the open-source Inkscape application does not directly support AI to BMP export. Therefore, initially we will convert AI to PNG using Inkscape and then use Microsoft Paint to export PNG to BMP format. Now let us look forward to the actual working process of AI to BMP conversion in a detailed step-by-step guide.

How to Save AI to BMP Format Manually? Detailed Working Steps

Phase 1: Open the Illustrator file using Inkscape.

At the start, download and launch the Inkscape open-source application on your PC.
Now, open the Illustrator file in Inkscape application.
After that, go to the File >> click on the Export option.
Next, from the right-side panel adjust settings like size, DPI, background, storage path, etc.
Finally, click on the export option to export AI image into Microsoft Paint compatible format.

Phase 2: Convert to BMP Using Microsoft Paint Application

Initially, launch the Microsoft Paint Application on your local desktop.
Next, open the file exported from Inkscape in Microsoft Paint.
After that, go to the File tab, choose Save As >> BMP Picture.
Now, select the file name, storage path, and click on the Save button.

Till now we have seen how to use Inkscape and Microsoft Paint Application to convert AI file to BMP file format. However, it has some of its limitations, let us discuss the most common disadvantages of the manual approach.

Drawbacks of Using the Manual Solutions

Compatibility Issues: The AI files 9.0 and below versions are not compatible with the Inkscape application. To go with this manual solution, it is essential to have the AI file version after 9.0.

No Batch Conversion: Another notable drawback of choosing the manual approach is that it does not directly support batch AI to BMP conversion.

Time Consuming & Multi-Step Process: The DIY techniques is very time consuming and have multiple steps in different applications. Therefore, it is complicated for professional users to go with this method.

Bad Result Output with Complex AI File: This method is well tried and tested with simple AI files, but it may not result in a bad output for a complex AI file. Therefore, for users who require to preserve the quality of the AI file after conversion to Bitmap. This approach is suggested by experts.

Pro Solution to Batch Export Illustrator to BMP Format

One can use the BitRecover AI Converter Tool to batch convert AI files to BMP format without having any AI file size and version limitations. Another major factor which makes this solution best for AI to BMP conversion is its offline working capabilities. Users can use this utility on their desktop without internet connectivity to maintain the AI file data security and integrity. Now let us discuss the working steps of this advanced solution.

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How to Bulk Convert AI to BMP Using Automated Utility?

First, download and run the AI to BMP converter on your desktop.
Next, click on the Select Files or the Select Folder option to load AI files.
After that, to selectively batch convert AI to BMP, enable required AI files.
Now, go to the saving options menu and choose BMP as the saving format.
Thereafter, click on the browse folder icon option to choose destination location.
Finally, click on the convert button to export Illustrator to BMP format.

Concluding Words

To wrap up the above blog on the topic of how to batch convert AI to BMP format. Initially, we have discussed the common scenarios for AI to BMP conversion. Secondly, we have seen the Adobe Illustrator approach to export AI to BMP format. However, this method requires a license version of the Adobe application.

To overcome this limitation, we have seen the mixed approach using Inkscape and Microsoft Paint as the manual technique. However, this manual approach has its drawbacks. Therefore, we have seen the pro solution to save AI file to BMP format. Finally, we have discussed the step-by-step tutorial for the advanced method to convert AI to Bitmap format.