Vector conversion
Convert AI to BMP
Updated Jul 2026
AI is the vector file format used by Adobe Illustrator, and BMP is a plain, uncompressed image format that old Windows software still expects. To convert AI to BMP, open the file in a converter and export it as a bitmap at the pixel size you need. Doing this on your own computer means the artwork never has to leave your machine.
- Extension
- .ai
- Type
- Vector
- Typically
- Illustrator files
- Transparency
- None
- Extension
- .bmp
- Type
- Images
- Typically
- Legacy Windows images
- Transparency
- None
Convert AI to BMP on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert AI to BMP
- Open Morphjet and drag in the AI file you want to convert. You can add a single file or a whole folder of artwork at once.
- Choose BMP as the output format and set the pixel dimensions you want the image rasterized at.
- Convert. The BMP is written next to your original, and nothing is uploaded anywhere.
AI vs BMP: what actually changes
| AI | BMP | |
|---|---|---|
| Editable shapes | Yes, paths and objects stay editable | No, it's flattened to pixels |
| Resizing | Scales to any size with no quality loss | Fixed size, gets blurry if scaled up |
| File size | Small to moderate | Large, since BMP stores pixels uncompressed |
| Opens everywhere | No, needs Illustrator or another vector app | Yes, especially older Windows software |
| Transparency | Yes | No, standard BMP has no transparency |
| Quality | Lossless as a vector | Lossless at the resolution you export, but locked in |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert AI to BMP when you need a plain raster image for old Windows software, a legacy system, or a workflow that specifically calls for an uncompressed bitmap instead of a vector file.
Keep the AI original if you'll ever need to edit the shapes again or resize the artwork, because once it's a BMP those paths are gone for good.
Why not just use an online converter?
Illustrator files are often unreleased logos, packaging, or client work that hasn't shipped yet. Sending one through an online converter puts that artwork on a server you don't control, even if only for a few seconds. Converting on your own computer means the file, and whatever it shows, never travels over the internet.
Questions
Does converting AI to BMP lose quality?
The pixels themselves aren't compressed, since BMP is an uncompressed format. But going from vector to raster means you're locking the artwork into one fixed resolution, so you lose the ability to scale it up cleanly afterward.
Why is the BMP file so much bigger than the AI?
BMP doesn't compress its pixel data the way PNG or JPG do, so even a simple image can turn into a large file. That's normal for the format, not a sign anything went wrong.
Can I still edit the artwork after converting to BMP?
No. A BMP is just a grid of pixels, so the individual paths, layers, and objects from the AI file are gone. Keep the original AI if you might need to edit it later.
Why would anyone want BMP instead of PNG?
Mostly compatibility with older Windows programs or systems that were built around BMP before PNG and JPG were common. For most modern uses, PNG is the more practical choice.
Can I convert AI to BMP without uploading the file anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet rasterizes the file locally on your own computer, so the artwork never touches an outside server. It works fine with no internet connection at all.
Morphjet converts AI, BMP, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.