
When you hit Export, the Photoshop Export Options window will open. In the Format area, select Photoshop (PSD) to export the file as a PSD file. To do this, once the file is open in Illustrator head to File > Export > Export As. This means you’ll need to export the file correctly from Illustrator, saving it as a PSD file to allow Photoshop to easily read it.

The other method of opening an AI file in Photoshop will correctly preserve the different layers of the AI file and allow Photoshop to recognize each layer in the project. Option 2: Save The AI File As A PSD To Preserve Layers

However, if your project has multiple layers, you will not be able to edit the specific layers in Photoshop using this method. If your project only had one layer in Illustrator, this is not a problem, as you can continue working on the layer almost as you were. You cannot edit the individual elements and layers created in AI. However, you’ll notice that this project will open as a single rasterized layer, meaning that all the layers from the AI file are condensed into one. The file will open as a new project in Photoshop. Select the AI file from your folders, and edit any settings you may wish to in the Import window that appears. Once you’ve exported your project from Illustrator, open up Photoshop and click Open on the welcome page, or head to File > Open. The quickest way to open an AI file in Photoshop is to simply open the file in Photoshop. Option 1: Opening An AI File As A Rasterized Layer Let’s take a look at the two different options for opening an AI file in Photoshop. The quality and editing capabilities of an AI file opened in Photoshop rely on how you export and open the file. Certain methods will give you better quality and allow you more control over editing your AI file in Photoshop. In some cases, the layers may not translate correctly into Photoshop and the project will appear in a single layer.

These differences also mean that opening an AI file into Photoshop can be tricky. AI is best for creating graphics and logos, or even cartoons and fonts while keeping file sizes fairly small. Illustrator allows you to create high-quality, easily mutable graphics using advanced mathematical equations this means that you can resize them and they won’t lose their quality. The Illustrator file format, AI, is a vector format, meaning the files are made of dots connected by an algorithm. Admittedly, there’s not much you can do about that as a photographer! Illustrator File Format The only potential issue is that pixel-based images tend to lose a bit of quality when resized. Photoshop is commonly used for photo editing too-the program’s capabilities give you control over how each individual pixel in an image behaves and appears. Raster files are commonly used for working with photos, and as they are often layered, the files can get quite big. The file format Photoshop uses is PSD, which is a raster file, meaning the files in this format are composed of pixels. So, while Photoshop is great for working with images that have already been created, such as photos, Illustrator is great for creating graphics. However, the files differ in what they are composed of-pixels or vectors. While Illustrator and Photoshop may seem similar at first glance-both allow you to create and edit images using a wide variety of tools-a closer look at their respective file formats reveals how the two programs differ, as well as which programs are best for working on different types of projects.īoth Illustrator and Photoshop allow you to edit and create different projects. Let’s explore the different ways to do this, and which purpose each can serve. However, it is important to know the different options for opening an Adobe Illustrator file in Photoshop, because certain methods will result in better quality and more editing capabilities once the file is exported. To preserve layers between Illustrator and Photoshop you must export the AI file as a PSD. With that said, the AI file will open as a rasterized document making it impossible to access your original layers. You can open an Illustrator file in Photoshop like any other file by going to File > Open.

#AI TO PHOTOSHOP HOW TO#
While they each serve a specific purpose and offer different capabilities, understanding how to move a project between them will give you endless possibilities for your project. Two of Adobe’s most popular programs in the digital art world, Photoshop and Illustrator, are both excellent tools for artists to have in their toolkits.
