File extensions changed from .ai to .fs after High Sierra upgrade

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File extensions changed from .ai to .fs after High Sierra upgrade

Had a hard drive crash that contained thousands of Illustrator files stretching back 15 years. The files were synced to a DropBox folder. When I re-synced to the new hard drive, every single file was changed from .ai to .fs - shown as "File System Plugin" on Mac High Sierra 10.15.X.

Changing the extension back to .fs does not work. The files were created mostly in Illustrator 8, and none of the more current Illustrators including CS6 and CC will open the file. I've been online with Adobe Tech Support and they cannot open the file.

The only solution I've found is to download a trial version of a CAD program called "SignLab 10" and "Import" these .fs files. That works, but it's a $500 program.

Any other suggestions or solutions would be appreciated.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), macOS High Sierra (10.13.5)

Posted on Jul 2, 2018 10:01 AM

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Answer 1

Randy Harris Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 3, 2018 7:19 AM in response to Randy Harris

UPDATE on previous post:

I was able to mount the crashed drive and download all the files, not re-syncing from DropBox. Here's what I now know for a fact: Either Sierra or High Sierra absolutely changed the file extensions on every Illustrator file from .ai to .fs (File System Plugin).

I don't know how or why this happened, but beware if you upgrade. I would suggest that you backup your files to a local drive, not a cloud drive.

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Answer 2

Jul 3, 2018 8:14 AM in response to Randy Harris

I don't know how or why this happened, but beware if you upgrade. I would suggest that you backup your files to a local drive, not a cloud drive.

Is there anyone on this world that does not make a full backup before a major update?

Oh, wait... 😊

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File extensions changed from .ai to .fs after High Sierra upgrade

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