Using AI files in PhotoShop

[[Admin] osborn4]

I got a set of grunge textures for Christmas (I have a great, understanding wife. ). They are in AI files and I don't have Illistrator. I only have PhotoShop CS4.

I can open the files in PS, but then I don't seem to be able to do much with them, e.g. cut out a particular texture that's on a sheet with several others. They seem to open much like PDFs.

What's the best way to use AI files in PS?

Thanks.

[dubya]

If you try to open an .ai file (either by associating with Photoshop through it's properties or by dragging it into Photoshop), Photoshop will bring up an option to rasterize it (transform it from vector to pixels). This is a helpful in that it allows you to choose the resolution and image size that Photoshop will fill with pixels.

If you are working with a raster image and want to add a vector file (.ai, .eps, some .pdf's), go File > Place then select the vector file you want to include. Photoshop will open it as a new layer with a free transform bounding box around it, which gives you the option of scaling it to the size you want as a vector (without distorting the quality), and then transforming it to pixels when you commit the changes.

I'm basing these comments on my use of Photoshop CS1 and earlier. Not sure whether CS4 has improved vector handling when you import different files or not.

[dubya]

If you're new to photoshop, you might consider investing in a NAPP membership. The website (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) is www.photoshopuser.com

For about $99/year you get access to the website, discounts on a whole host of graphics related merchandise, seminars, etc...and the best part is an 8 issue per year subscription of Photoshop User Magazine, one of the best ways to keep up with/learn new techniques and capabilities of Photoshop.

You might also check out Layers Magazine (geared toward all Adobe applications). I'm pretty sure you can browse that website for free -- http://www.layersmagazine.com/

[[Admin] osborn4]

That makes sense. And I could probably use a layer mask to block the parts I don't want shown, to keep the vector intact, rather than rasterizing it to delete the parts I don't want.

I was just opening them, not placing them, and so I didn't have a lot of flexibility.

[dubya]

Originally Posted by osborn4

That makes sense. And I could probably use a layer mask to block the parts I don't want shown, to keep the vector intact, rather than rasterizing it to delete the parts I don't want.

I was just opening them, not placing them, and so I didn't have a lot of flexibility.

Even if you place it, once you press ENTER to finish the placement, Photoshop automatically fills the vector information with pixels, so once it's opened (regardless of the method), it's no longer a vector image.

One thing you may play around with are the limited vector capabilities of Photoshop. Custom shapes, shape layers (complemented by the Pen Tool) are useful for many applications. Sometimes when I open a vector image in Photoshop, I rasterize it at a really large size (20 inches on its longest side @ 300ppp resolution--may by overkill, or at a large size and resolution that your system will support). Using your preferred selection method, isolate the part of the image you want to work with, then in the Paths palette, click on the icon to Turn Selection Into Path, then go Edit > Define Custom Shape and give it a name.

After this, you can access the shape you just made through the Custom Shape tool, and maximize Photoshop's vector capability, such as using a Vector Shape Layer. You can even File > Export > Paths to Illustrator, to generate an Illustrator file of the path, and I'm pretty sure you can export it out as an .eps as well, which can be used with most vector programs.

[[Admin] osborn4]

Thanks. That certainly something I will play with.

I believe that SKStarkiller had a tutorial on making your own brushes with a similar technique. I'll have to take a look at that, as well.