Is export paths the only way to open Photoshop paths in Illustrator?

Question

Let's say I have a non-background transparent layer in PS and I draw a square, then later open that PS file in AI with the option convert layers to objects.

If I draw the square as pixels, AI imports it like an image that would need to be traced.

If I draw the square as a shape, AI imports it as an editable object.

If I draw the square as a path, AI doesn't import the layer at all.

I know I can export paths to AI from the menu in PS but is that the only way to open a PS path in AI? In the situations where I need to bring something from PS into AI, the layers are mixed. One may have shapes, another may have something with pixels, another may have paths.

I need to be able to open that file as-is and work with each thing accordingly instead of having to bring paths in separately from everything else. Is there a way to do that? Thanks!

whamalamaboom · Accepted Answer

The workaround I'll use for now is to turn paths into shapes so AI will recognize them like everything else. In case anyone else wants to know how, in my version of PS, when you have a path selected, the menu bar at the top should say make: selection mask shape and you choose shape. That turns the path into a shape layer. Right clicking on the path only gives the option to define a custom shape out of it, which instead adds it to your custom shapes library for drawing.

DRock22 · Answer

You can also save paths as clipping paths, then save the file as an eps. Openeing the eps in Illustrator brings the clipping paths over as well.

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