Using Photoshop with Illustrator

As you know, Photoshop is a pixel-based application. This means that all the graphics you create in Photoshop are resolution dependent. Illustrator, on the other hand, is a vector-based application that allows you to create graphics that are based on a series of mathematical curves, not pixels. Vector graphics always print nice and sharp, and are not resolution dependent. This means that you can size them as large or as small as you want in a layout without having to worry about how well they will output. It is possible however, to work with vector information in Photoshop, and work with pixelbased images and effects in Illustrator. Photoshop’s Type and Shape layers are both vector-based, while many of the filters and effects in Illustrator, such as Drop Shadow, Outer Glow, and Inner Glow, are pixel based. So how is this possible?

Well, Photoshop can interpret vector information to a degree, but in most cases (especially when working with QuarkXPress), the file must be flattened in order to place it in a layout application. Doing so rasterizes any vector information in the file (such as Type and Shape layers) by converting them to pixels. This softens the graphic’s overall appearance and ultimately makes it resolution dependent. The only way around this is to place layered PSD files in InDesign—something you can do with QuarkXPress 6.5 or higher, but with limited access to layers, because Xpress cannot interpret Type or Shape layers in imported PSDs.

When transparent raster effects are applied in Illustrator (or InDesign and XPress), they are rasterized when the file is output. Depending on the transparency flattener setting you’ve chosen to apply when outputting the layout (that is, printing to a device or exporting to PDF), the vector information should remain sharp while all the raster information should remain soft. So Photoshop and Illustrator do have some things in common. They both speak PostScript language, and as a result, you can share paths, shapes, and type, and even layers between the two applications.

Importing and Exporting Paths
Photoshop comes with a vast array of custom shapes. However, despite the slew of choices that Photoshop gives you, you may still want to work with a custom shape that was created in Illustrator, such as a simple logo, end mark, or icon. It’s also not uncommon for a designer to want to base a vector illustration on a path that was originally created in Photoshop. Thankfully, shapes and paths can be shared between the two applications.

Copying and Pasting between Applications
To copy and paste a path from Photoshop into Illustrator, select the path with the Path Selection tool and copy it to the Clipboard (F/Ctrl+C). Then in Illustrator with the document open, apply the Paste command (F/Ctrl+V). APaste Options dialog box appears, offering two options: Paste As Compound Shape (fully editable) or As Compound Path (faster). Choose the preferred paste option and click OK to work with the path in Illustrator. When you copy and paste a path from Illustrator into Photoshop, the Paste dialog box appears, giving you the option to import the path as a smart object, a rasterized image layer (pixels), a vector path (added to the Paths palette), or a Shape layer. Choose an option and click OK. If you’re planning to create a clipping mask from the imported path, you should definitely import as a Shape layer, because it will save you several steps.

Bringing Photoshop Paths into Illustrator
Besides copying and pasting, there are two other ways that you can transport a Photoshop path into Illustrator:
Dragging and Dropping With both applications open, select the Photoshop path with the Path Selection tool and drag it onto the Pasteboard of the Illustrator document. Imported Photoshop paths remain fully editable in Illustrator.
Export Command In Photoshop, choose File --> Export --> Paths To Illustrator. In the Export Paths dialog box that appears, choose the path from the Write drop-down list (Mac) or the Paths drop-down list (Windows), and then select a Save As destination and click Save. You can then open the AI file in Illustrator, where the path will be fully editable.

Opening AI and PSD Layered Files
Layered Illustrator documents can be opened in Photoshop (with layers preserved), and vice versa.
Opening Layered Illustrator Files in Photoshop
To open a layered Illustrator document in Photoshop, you must export the AI file as a PSD. Choose File --> Export to access the Export dialog box, and select PSD from the Format dropdown list. Select a Save As destination and click Export. In the Photoshop Export Options dialog box that appears, choose a color mode (RGB, CMYK, or Grayscale). You must also choose a screen resolution for items that will be rasterized (300ppi for print graphics). To preserve layers, enable the Write Layers option with Maximum Editability selected. To edit live text in the exported PSD, enable the Preserve Text Editability option. If you’re using color management, you should also embed the ICC profile. Click OK and open the PSD file in Photoshop. Note that editable text layers are converted to Type layers, and all exported paths and layers are rasterized with layers preserved. The items that usually don’t convert well from Illustrator are transparency masks and some effects.

Opening Layered Photoshop Files in Illustrator
When opening a layered PSD in Illustrator, the Photoshop Import Options dialog box appears, giving you two options :
- Convert Photoshop Layers To Objects and Make Text Editable Where Possible
- Flatten Photoshop Layers To ASingle Image and Preserve Text Appearance
To preserve editability in Illustrator, choose the first option. This converts all image and shape layers to object layers in Illustrator, and keeps live text editable. All converted image layers are treated as embedded graphics. Choose the second option to flatten all Photoshop layers into a single embedded image. Doing so prevents you from being able to make any edits to the file in Illustrator.