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rockinrob
rockinrob
Known Participant
August 10, 2020
Question

I cannot see vector files from Illustrator in Photoshop

  • August 10, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 2921 views

Hello, I'm having challenges with Illustrator vectors not showing up in Photoshop. If I copy from Illustrator and paste into Photoshop it acts like it is there - it's a new layer smart object, it just does not show. If I double click the smart object it opens in Illustrator so it's kind of there... just won't show. same thing happens if I open an illustrator eps file. I'm on Photoshop 21.2.1 and Illustrator 24.2.1. Please tell me someone knows what the heck is going on.

3 replies

JJMack
Community Expert
JJMackCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 11, 2020

I do not install AI and do not know how to use it.  Photoshop does not havs support for vector files.  You can Place AI files .ai and .svg file into Photoshop as vector Objects.  These Smart Object Layers have no vector information in Photoshop other  then the vector file in the smart object.  If you open an .ai or .svg file in Photoshop it will be imported as a single raster layer there will be no Vectors in Photoshop at all.    You can Export Photoshop Vector Paths to AI via menu File>Export>Paths to Illustrator... which seems to save a .ai file you can open in AI.  I would think you would also be able to export am AI vector path to Photoshop perhaps save a psd containing a path that Photoshop can open. 

 

The placed in Vector Objects do not have vector Path in Photoshop the smart Object Layer will be transform with vector graphics.  The vector files in the Smart Object will be imported into Photoshop at the correct size for the transform. 

JJMack
War Unicorn
Community Expert
War UnicornCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 10, 2020

Any chance of a screenshot?

 

Adding to what michele said, how many layers are in this particular document? Any chance that maybe you selected a particular layer before the paste? Photoshop will assume you want to paste that object on top of the selected layer, potentially hiding it from view in the workspace (because it's buried in the layer stack).

rockinrob
rockinrobAuthor
Known Participant
August 10, 2020

here is a screenshot - ?!? there's only the plain background and the pasted vector layer

War Unicorn
Community Expert
War UnicornCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 10, 2020

It's hard to see but I noticed there's something in the vector's thumbnail, off to the right. Your document is also zoomed in at 176%; use Cmd + 0 (zero) to fit the document to screen.

michelew83603738
Community Expert
michelew83603738Community Expert
Community Expert
August 10, 2020

Nothing is showing up? Have you tried Command Clicking on the layer to see if anything selects on the layer? Every once in awhile when I copy, if pastes off of the canvas for some reason. Does this happen every time or just this particular time?

rockinrob
rockinrobAuthor
Known Participant
August 10, 2020

I copy in illustrator, paste in photoshop. dialog box comes up, I select smart object, click ok, hit return to finish place. when I command click the vector smart object layer no pixels are selected. if I double click it opens in illustrator...

rockinrob
rockinrobAuthor
Known Participant
August 10, 2020

I have just noticed this: my illustrator seems stuck on cancelling

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