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Exporting artwork in Photoshop format


    Exporting to the Photoshop file format retains layers, masks, transparency, compound shapes, slices, image maps, and editable type when possible. This makes is easy to share artwork between Illustrator and Photoshop.

    If your artwork contains data that cannot be exported to Photoshop file format, Illustrator preserves the appearance of the artwork by merging the layers in the document or by rasterizing the artwork. As a result, there may be times when layers, sublayers, compound shapes, editable text, slices, or image maps are not preserved in the Photoshop file, even though you selected the appropriate export option.

To save artwork in Photoshop format:

  1. Export the artwork as described in About saving and exporting artwork. Choose Photoshop (PSD) as the file format.
  2. In the Photoshop Options dialog box, set the export parameters, and click OK:
  3. Color Model

    Determines the color model of the exported file. (See Color modes and models.)

    Note: Exporting a CMYK document as RGB, or vice versa, may cause unexpected changes in the appearance of transparent areas, especially those that include blending modes.

    Resolution

    Determines the resolution of the exported file. (See About resolution in bitmap images.)

    Anti-alias

    Removes jagged edges in the artwork by supersampling it. Deselecting this option helps maintain the hard edges of line art when it is rasterized.

    Write Layers

    Exports each Illustrator top-level layer as a separate Photoshop layer if doing so does not compromise the appearance of the artwork. Nested layers are flattened into the top-level layer during export, unless the Write Nested Layers option is also selected. If Write Layers is deselected, all layers are flattened into a single Photoshop layer.

    Note: If the objects inside a layer have blending modes other than Normal applied to them, Illustrator may not be able to export the layer. To avoid this problem, isolate the blending modes. (See Isolating blending modes.) If this does not produce the desired results, try applying the blending mode to the layer instead of to the individual objects.

    Write Nested Layers

    Writes each top-level sublayer to a separate Photoshop layer if doing so does not compromise the appearance of the artwork. Top-level layers become Photoshop layer sets. This option is only available if the Write Layers option is also selected. If more than 100 Photoshop layers result, an alert reminds you that Photoshop 5.5 and earlier will not be able to open the document.

    Write Compound Shapes

    Creates a Photoshop shape layer for each compound shape in a top-level layer if doing so does not compromise the appearance of the artwork. To write compound shapes with solid strokes, change the Join type to Round. (See Using the Stroke palette.)

    Note: Illustrator cannot export compound shapes that have styles, dashed strokes, and brushes applied to them.

    Editable Text

    Exports horizontal and vertical point type in a top-level layer to editable Photoshop type if doing so does not compromise the appearance of the artwork.

    Note: Illustrator cannot export area type and type on a path to Photoshop as editable text.

    Include Hidden Layers

    Exports hidden layers in the artwork to hidden Photoshop layers.

    Write Slices

    Exports slices in the artwork to Photoshop slices if doing so does not compromise the appearance of the artwork.

    Write Image Maps

    Exports image maps in the artwork to Photoshop image maps if doing so does not compromise the appearance of the artwork.

    Embed ICC Profile

    Creates a color-managed document. (See Embedding profiles in saved documents.)