Batch converting .ai files to .svg format without opening Adobe Illustrator interface

Other Questions ai employee
1

I’m trying to convert multiple .ai files to .svg format without having to open Adobe Illustrator manually for each file. I need a way to do this through command line or batch processing.

I tried using Inkscape with this command:

inkscape input.ai output.svg

But the results aren’t what I expected.

For Illustrator, I attempted this approach:

"C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS6 (64 Bit)\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe" "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CC 2018\Presets\en_GB\Scripts\BatchConvertToSVG.jsx"

However, I get an error saying No documents are currently open!

Here’s my script code:

try {
    if (app.documents.length > 0) {
        var outputFolder = null;
        outputFolder = Folder.selectDialog('Choose destination for SVG files.', '~');
        
        if (outputFolder != null) {
            var exportSettings, index, currentDoc, outputFile;
            
            exportSettings = this.getSVGSettings();
            
            for (index = 0; index < app.documents.length; index++) {
                currentDoc = app.documents[index];
                
                outputFile = this.createOutputFile(currentDoc.name, '.svg', outputFolder);
                
                currentDoc.exportFile(outputFile, ExportType.SVG, exportSettings);
            }
            alert('Conversion completed successfully');
        }
    } else {
        throw new Error('No documents are currently open!');
    }
} catch(error) {
    alert(error.message, "Error Alert", true);
}

function getSVGSettings() {
    var settings = new ExportOptionsSVG();
    return settings;
}

function createOutputFile(fileName, extension, folder) {
    var finalName = "";
    
    if (fileName.indexOf('.') < 0) {
        finalName = fileName + extension;
    } else {
        var dotPosition = fileName.lastIndexOf('.');
        finalName += fileName.substring(0, dotPosition);
        finalName += extension;
    }
    
    var outputFile = new File(folder + '/' + finalName);
    
    if (outputFile.open("w")) {
        outputFile.close();
    } else {
        throw new Error('Permission denied');
    }
    return outputFile;
}

How can I make this work for batch conversion without opening the Illustrator interface?

2

Adobe Illustrator’s CLI doesn’t auto-load your files - that’s the real problem. When you run the script through command line, Illustrator opens but stays empty, which triggers that “No documents are currently open” error.

I fixed this by modifying my script to handle file loading during execution. Don’t rely on pre-opened documents. Instead, add a file selection step at the start of your script. Ditch the document length check and write code that opens files from your target directory first.

Here’s what everyone else missed: add proper error handling for corrupted AI files. I found out the hard way when my batch processing died halfway through because of one bad file.

Also, Illustrator’s memory management sucks during batch operations. Process files in smaller chunks instead of loading everything at once.

Your CLI path looks right for CS6, but double-check that the script path actually exists. Adobe’s installer sometimes skips creating all the expected directories.

3

Been fighting this exact problem for years with client files. Adobe’s command line doesn’t preload documents before running scripts - that’s your issue. Your batch script setup looks good, but you need to load the AI files first. The error happens because Illustrator starts up but there’s nothing open when your script hits app.documents.length. I fixed this with a two-stage approach: first stage opens all your AI files from the source folder, second stage processes them. Just add the file loading before your conversion loop. Watch out though - Illustrator will crash if you load too many big files at once. Break it into smaller chunks if you’re working with heavy artwork or tons of files. Also double-check that your Illustrator version actually supports CLI properly - some builds have busted command line features.

4

Adobe’s command line is a nightmare. I’ve dealt with this exact problem when our design team had hundreds of AI files to convert every month.

Your script fails because you’re not opening any documents first. Adobe’s CLI is garbage for this stuff.

I ditched Adobe’s approach and built an automation flow instead. It watches a folder for AI files, runs them through conversion, and spits out clean SVGs.

Why it’s better: set it up once and forget it. No command line errors, no scripting headaches. You can add logic for different file sizes or export settings based on filenames.

I use triggers that process files the moment they hit the watched folder, or run scheduled batches. Everything happens in the background - Illustrator never even opens.

For your setup, create a workflow that grabs your AI files, converts them, and dumps SVGs in your target folder. Way cleaner than fighting Adobe’s broken CLI.

5

Had this exact headache last year processing 2000 AI files weekly. Adobe’s CLI is broken by design.

Your script runs but Illustrator hasn’t loaded any documents yet. You need to open each AI file before your conversion loop starts.

Here’s what works - create a wrapper script that opens files first:

var inputFolder = Folder.selectDialog('Choose AI files folder');
var files = inputFolder.getFiles('*.ai');

for (var i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
    app.open(files[i]);
}

// then run your existing conversion code

Honestly, after months fighting Adobe’s terrible scripting, I switched to automated workflows. Way more reliable than dealing with Illustrator’s quirks.

This video shows the whole batch conversion process step by step:

6

your script’s fine, but Illustrator needs documents loaded first. try this - modify it to open ai files from a folder before converting. add app.open(new File(inputPath)) before the conversion loop. this worked for me during bulk conversions last month. just double-check Illustrator’s installed and your paths are right.