How to move from Illustrator to Photoshop without rasterizing (the easy way)

Default avatar.
May 06, 2013
How to move from Illustrator to Photoshop without rasterizing (the easy way).

I've always had trouble getting large groups of shapes from Illustrator over to Photoshop without rasterizing them all in the process. Up until recently the only way I knew how was to copy and paste each shape one by one – a process which soon becomes tedious.

However, recently I discovered a method which takes less than a minute, regardless of how many shapes there are in your file. The only catch is that it involves using Adobe Fireworks.

Here's a simple three step guide on how it's done.

Step 1

Once you're ready to convert your Illustrator file into a fully editable PSD make sure all strokes are outlined. To do this select all of your strokes and click Object > Path > Outline Stroke. Don't worry about text as it will remain editable across all formats.

After you've done that open your Illustrator file in Adobe Fireworks and the following dialogue box will appear:

Step 1

Make sure all of your settings match the image above and click OK.

Step 2

Now that you have your file open in Fireworks you can convert it to a PSD by clicking File > Save As and then selecting the format Photoshop PSD (.psd) from the dropdown menu.

Step 2

Once you've done that, click Options and make sure Maintain Edibility over Appearance is selected from the dropdown menu.

Step 2

Click OK followed by Save and then select where you want to save your file.

Step 3

Find your recently saved PSD, open it up in Photoshop and there we have it – a fully editable PSD in a matter of seconds.

Step 3

Don't forget if you need a something a little more organised you can rename your layers or paths at any time.

Did you find this helpful or do you have an alternative trick up you sleeve? What other tips would you share for working with Illustrator and Photoshop? Let us know in the comments.

Sam Jones

Sam Jones is a Freelance Designer whose work spans multiple disciplines such as brand identity, design for print, web design and illustration. As well as being the owner of one man design studio, Sivioco, he's also an advisor for Mostash. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @Sivioco.

Read Next

30 Most Exciting New Tools for Designers, 2023

As we near the end of 2023, we wanted to take a look back over all the tools we collected over the past year, to pick…

3 Essential Design Trends, December 2023

While we love the holidays, too much of a seasonal theme can get overwhelming. Thankfully, these design trends strike a…

10 Easy Ways to Make Money as a Web Designer

When you’re a web designer, the logical way to make money is designing websites; you can apply for a job at an agency,…

The 10 Most Hated Fonts of All Time

Remember when Comic Sans wasn’t the butt of the jokes? Long for the days when we actually enjoyed using the Impact…

15 Best New Fonts, November 2023

2023 is almost over, and the new fonts are still coming thick and fast. This month, we’ve found some awesome variable…

Old School Web Techniques Best Forgotten

When the web first entered the public consciousness back in the 90s, it was primarily text-based with minimal design…

20 Best New Websites, November 2023

As the nights draw in for the Northern hemisphere, what better way to brighten your day than by soaking up some design…

30 Amazing Chrome Extensions for Designers and Developers

Searching for a tool to make cross-platform design a breeze? Desperate for an extension that helps you figure out the…

Exciting New Tools for Designers, November 2023

We’ve got a mix of handy image helpers, useful design assets, and clever productivity tools, amongst other treats. Some…

The Dangers of Doomscrolling for Designers and How to Break Free

As a creative professional, navigating the digital realm is second nature to you. It’s normal to follow an endless…

From Image Adjustments to AI: Photoshop Through the Years

Remember when Merriam-Webster added Photoshop to the dictionary back in 2008? Want to learn how AI is changing design…

3 Essential Design Trends, November 2023

In the season of giving thanks, we often think of comfort and tradition. These are common themes with each of our three…