Convert AI to WMF — Free Online Converter
Convert Adobe Illustrator (.ai) to Windows Metafile (.wmf) online for free. Fast, secure image conversion with no watermarks or registration....
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How to Convert
Upload your .ai file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.
Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.
Click Convert and download your .wmf file when it's ready.
About AI to WMF Conversion
AI to WMF conversion transforms Adobe Illustrator artwork into Windows Metafile format, the legacy vector graphics standard that predates EMF and remains supported across Windows applications. WMF uses 16-bit GDI records to describe drawing operations and is understood by virtually every Windows application from the last 30 years, including older versions of Microsoft Office, Corel applications, and enterprise software.
Our converter processes the AI file through ImageMagick, rasterizing the Illustrator artwork and packaging it as WMF. While WMF lacks the advanced features of EMF, its universal Windows compatibility makes it the safest choice when targeting unknown or heterogeneous Windows environments.
Why Convert AI to WMF?
Legacy Windows enterprise applications — document management systems, report generators, label printers, and industrial control interfaces — often accept only WMF as their vector graphics input. These systems predate EMF adoption and have never been updated. Converting AI to WMF makes professional Illustrator designs accessible to these older systems.
WMF is also used as a clipboard format in Windows, meaning graphics converted to WMF can be pasted into applications via clipboard interchange with predictable results. For organizations maintaining mixed-vintage Windows environments, WMF provides the broadest possible compatibility.
Common Use Cases
- Providing vector graphics to legacy Windows enterprise applications that only accept WMF format
- Creating graphics for older document management and report generation systems
- Distributing Illustrator artwork for use in Windows clipboard interchange workflows
- Generating graphics for industrial and manufacturing systems built on legacy Windows platforms
- Supporting mixed-vintage Windows environments where EMF support is not guaranteed
How It Works
WMF (Windows Metafile) is a 16-bit vector graphics format using GDI (Graphics Device Interface) records. Each record describes a drawing operation — SetBkMode, SelectObject, MoveTo, LineTo, Polygon, Ellipse, TextOut — using 16-bit coordinates and a device-dependent color model. WMF files contain a header with bounding dimensions, followed by a sequence of GDI records, terminated by an EOF record. The 16-bit coordinate space limits precision compared to EMF's 32-bit records, and color support is more limited. Our conversion rasterizes the AI content and packages it within the WMF structure.
Quality & Performance
WMF quality is limited by the format's 16-bit coordinate precision and simpler color model compared to EMF. For standard-size graphics (up to ~1000x1000 pixels equivalent), the output is visually clean. Complex AI features like transparency, gradient meshes, and blending modes are simplified or rasterized during conversion. Simple logos, diagrams, and line art convert with good fidelity.
Device Compatibility
| Device | AI | WMF |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Partial |
| macOS | Partial | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Partial | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No | No |
Tips for Best Results
- 1Use WMF only when the target system cannot accept EMF — EMF is superior in every technical dimension
- 2Simplify the AI artwork before converting — WMF's 16-bit coordinate space cannot represent extremely fine detail
- 3Test the WMF output in the exact target application before batch converting
- 4For Office documents, always prefer EMF over WMF unless targeting Office 2003 or earlier
- 5Convert text to outlines in Illustrator before conversion to avoid font dependency issues in the WMF output
AI to WMF provides the legacy Windows vector format needed for older enterprise applications and maximum backward compatibility. While EMF is preferred for modern systems, WMF remains essential for legacy Windows environments.