PSD to Illustrator

Hi, precision,

The Adobe Illustrator file extension is .AI

I don't know about older versions of Adobe Photoshop (the PSD file) and the older Illustrator (the AI file) but in versions CS1 and CS2, opening a PSD file in Illustrator is a breeze.  It will ask you about converting PSD layers to AI objects and I usually say, Yes.

Hope this answers your question.

Regards,
Slynky

To make a Photoshop into vectors (depending on the image) you can create paths (I used the magic wand to select them) of each different colored area and export the paths to illustrator (when you do that the path becomes an .ai file that you can put into Illustrator and re-color)

If you need more of a step-by-step, let me know.  Again, some images don't work too well for this process.

DeeDee

Thanks but real question is how can I do a direct conversion from a PDS to a AI file?  Trick is I do not have Illustrator!   Thanks!

CS2 PS will export to Illustrator paths.  Best I can offer.

Basically, since Photoshop cannot create vector art, all the best tools for converting bitmapped images to vector are in the vector programs (Illustrator and CorelDraw have tools for assisting in the conversions -- but they aren't really automated -- they really need an artist to adjust things based on the type of image or the shadings and colors of the image)

To summarize, I don't think there is any "direct" conversion for Photoshop (bitmap or raster) to Illustrator (vector) files.

So, are you trying to deliver a converted file to someone who has Illustrator?  

DeeDee

Asking how to convert a raster image such as a photoshop file into a vector image file is a lot like asking how to convert a sound recording into a live performance. Just as it's easy to record a live performance, capturing a fairly good representation of the original sound and flavor, doing a live act that sounds just like a recording can be sometimes be difficult and at times impossible. (especially if you don't have musicians and singers)

Most vector programs, such as Illustrator, Freehand, and Draw have tools that look for areas with sharp changes in colors and levels (high contrast areas) to take a guess where the edge of an object is. Then it averages the colors within that area and fills it with a solid color. Sometimes this gives very good results, most times not. In my experience, Freehand does the best job, but just barely, and everything depends on the subject mater, the quality, and how high a resolution you have to work with.

For what purpose do you need the conversion?

David B.

Yes, we have a graphic done all in photoshop (psd) now manufacturer needs the file in Illustrator.  I am trying to avoid having graphic designer redo the who thing in Illustrator, so I am trying to see if there is a conversion method.  It seems in my current version of photoshop, when I hit export it says "ai" file type, would that do it?

Thanks in advance...

Do you mind telling more about what the manufacturer needs to do with it?

If they just need an image that they can put in illustrator, you could save as a .tif file or an .eps.  Those are easy for them to place into illustrator.  But if they need an actual vector file, saving or exporting from Photoshop will not work for that.

DeeDee

They are a manufacturer of foam products and they screen images on to various foam products.  Good thought on the tif and eps, seems there are 3 different possibilities of eps when I click on save as....thanks

what version of eps?  Or send them all 3 versions plus the tiff file?

Eps files can be tricky... you might try one of each of those plus the tiff file.

DeeDee

Ok...thanks...!

I hope it works for them (and you don't have to get the file recreated)!

DeeDee