Importing artwork from Photoshop


    Illustrator supports most Photoshop data, including layers, editable text, and paths. This means that you can transfer files between Photoshop and Illustrator without losing the ability to edit the artwork. You can bring artwork from Photoshop (PSD) files into Illustrator using the Open command, the Place command, the Paste command, and the drag-and-drop feature. The method you choose depends on how you want to use the artwork.

    In cases where Illustrator must convert the Photoshop data, a warning message appears. For example, when importing a 16-bit Photoshop file, Illustrator warns you that the image will be imported as an 8-bit, flat composite. Likewise, Illustrator warns you that images containing non-square pixels (such as those from video applications) will be scaled to a 1:1 ratio and imported as a flat composite.

    Note: Spot colors imported from Photoshop appear gray on-screen and in composite output. However, these colors will separate correctly. If Illustrator detects a swatch conflict when importing spot colors, a warning message appears.

To import a Photoshop file as a single bitmap image:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Choose File > Open, select the Photoshop file, and click Open. (See Opening existing files.)
    • Choose File > Place, select the Photoshop file, deselect the Link option, and click Place. (See Placing artwork.)
  2. If the Photoshop Import dialog box appears, select Flatten Photoshop layers to a single image and preserve text appearance, and click OK.
  3. The converted file retains no individual objects, except for the document clipping path (if one exists). You can create a document clipping path in Photoshop using the Clipping Path command in the Paths palette menu. For more information, see Photoshop Help. Opacity is retained as part of the main image, but is not editable.

To import a Photoshop file with its layers intact:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Choose File > Open, select the Photoshop file, and click Open.
    • Choose File > Place, select the Photoshop file, deselect the Link option, and click Place. (See Placing artwork.)
  2. In the Photoshop Import dialog box, select Convert Photoshop layers to objects and make text editable where possible.
  3. If you want to import image maps or slices that are included in the Photoshop file, select Import Image Maps or Import Slices.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Illustrator preserves as much layer structure as possible without sacrificing appearance. However, if the file includes layer features that aren't supported in Illustrator (including clipping groups, adjustment layers, layer effects, and some blending modes), Illustrator selectively merges and rasterizes them. For more information, see About importing layers from Photoshop files.

    Layer mask in Photoshop (top) converts to opacity mask in Illustrator (bottom), preserving blending mode and transparency.
    Layer mask in Photoshop (top) converts to opacity mask in Illustrator (bottom), preserving blending mode and transparency.

To move part of an image from Photoshop to Illustrator:

  1. In Photoshop, select the pixels you want to move. For more information, see Photoshop Help.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Copy the selection in Photoshop and paste it in Illustrator. If a layer mask is active when you choose the Copy command, Photoshop copies the mask rather than the main layer.
    • Select the Move tool in Photoshop, and drag the selection to Illustrator. Illustrator fills transparent pixels with white.

To move individual paths from Photoshop to Illustrator:

  1. In Photoshop, use the Path Component Selection tool or the Direct Selection tool to select the paths you want to move.
  2. You can select any path or path segment that appears in the Paths palette, including shape vector masks, work paths, and saved paths. For more information on selecting paths, see Photoshop Help.

  3. Either copy and paste or drag the path to Illustrator.
  4. In the Paste Options dialog box, choose whether to paste the path as a compound shape or a compound path.
  5. Note: Pasting as a compound path is faster, but may result in some loss of editability.

To import all paths (but no pixels) from a Photoshop document:

  1. In Photoshop, choose File > Export > Paths to Illustrator.
  2. In Illustrator, open the resulting file.