Shortcut Creative Cloud Apps

[westdr1dw]

Currently several steps required to move files between AI and Photoshop. A feature to quiclly move files between the two apps would be an awesome addition.

[Monika Gause]

Which "several steps" are you referring to?

Step 1: Save the AI file

step 2: Place it in Photoshop?

Or

step 1: Copy artwork from Illustrator

step 2 : paste in Photoshop?

[Conrad_C]

How would you like to move them, exactly? Is there an example of a project and how it needs to work within that?

Because there are already many ways to move graphics between Illustrator and Photoshop.

It’s possible to simply import a file from the other program, and both Illustrator and Photoshop can already import the other program’s native file format as a linked or embedded file, with no conversion or export needed.

That import can be done through the File > Place commands that both Illustrator and Photoshop have.

That can also be done by simply dragging a document by one application, and dropping it into a document window in the other application, and that works both ways between Illustrator and Photoshop. There are also some more recent enhancements that let you drag and drop individual layers between Illustrator and Photoshop. So you can now drag and drop both whole documents and individual layers between Illustrator and Photoshop.

In Illustrator and Photoshop, it’s possible to add an object to Creative Cloud Libraries, switch to the other application, and add that same Library item to its document.

It’s also possible to copy and paste graphics between Photoshop and Illustrator, but that is often not the best way.

Is there another way that you need to do this, that isn’t already listed here?

[westdr1dw]

Absolutely !

How about a added menu item to move between the apps?

I can get to my PS Plugins quicker than moving a file between PS-AI/AI-PS. Litterally in two clicks I can have an image in Topaz ready to work. When done back in PS and drive on.

Just a thought. If you take offense at a suggestion are you not stifling users. Really should consider CRM (Cust Rel Mgt) in your line of work.

[Monika Gause]

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@westdr1dw  schrieb:

Just a thought. If you take offense at a suggestion are you not stifling users. Really should consider CRM (Cust Rel Mgt) in your line of work.

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This forum is 95% volunteers answering questions in their spare time. We cannot know what you know about Illustrator. We do not know anything about your workflows. And again: the current workflow requires 2 steps - which several are you referring to?

Also: If you have a feature suggestion, please post it to https://illustrator.uservoice.com 

[westdr1dw]

Monika; Thanks for the link. I was not aware of the site you provided the link for. I thought this was where you posted the suggestions under Tools. While watching two prolific authors on Youtube last week I posted a question IRT a shortcut navigating between PS and AI. They both agreed they were unaware of a shortcut and thought it may be a great idea to add one. One of them also has done complete courses in AI and PS. In any case thanks for the link. 

[Monika Gause]

I still do not know what kind of shortcut you are expecting. What is the workflow problem that you need solved? Without that information nobody will be able to even start thinking about it.

I've been writing books about Illustrator since 2005. Teaching Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.

[westdr1dw]

Monika; A little surprising since the guys hosting the Youtube video knew immediately what I was asking. They both squandered the question and came to the same conclusion, there is not a shortcut. May want to take a look at the video to provide perhaps better insight. While working in PS and I want to send an image over to Topaz SAI to selectivly sharpen. I can select the app from the Plugin menu on the ribbon. If I wanted to increase the size of the image I could select another Topaz app on the file menu. The bottom line is AFAIK there is no current method in either PS or AI which allows the two apps to interact with each other. I posted this over in the link you provided. Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z6dtzVD-iY&t=2545s you can see the question around the 36:20 mark in the video. Thanks

[Monika Gause]

That is a workflow around typical image editing tasks in two apps that circle around image editing. 

But what is your desired Photoshop/Illustrator workflow? You placed a file in Photoshop as a Smart Object? Just double click it in Photoshop's layer panel in order to edit it in Illustrator. Tah save and close to go back to Photoshop. Or what is it that you want to do? 

You must have some workflow to solve. If you want to have this stuff as a feature that would be the first questions any coder would ask you. What is it that you want to do? Which workflow problem do you need to solve? Do you have an example?

[westdr1dw]

I may be missing something in your solution "You placed a file in Photoshop as a Smart Object? Just double click it in Photoshop's layer panel in order to edit it in Illustrator. Tah save and close to go back to Photoshop" Double clicking on a layer thumbnail opens the layer in a new window.

Workflow: Image Trace in AI, Save as a SVG, and move to PS. Would be nice to go directly to PS and/or PS-AI.. I have already provided examples of how this could be added to the File or Plugin menu. Albeit may be Plugin by title only may not be the right place based on semantics?

[westdr1dw]

Appreciate the dialogue as this keeps me learning.

[Monika Gause]

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@westdr1dw  schrieb:

I may be missing something in your solution "You placed a file in Photoshop as a Smart Object? Just double click it in Photoshop's layer panel in order to edit it in Illustrator. Tah save and close to go back to Photoshop" Double clicking on a layer thumbnail opens the layer in a new window.

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Smart objects can keep all their Live features while still being in a Photoshop composition. But the Photoshop file format cannot keep those Illustrator effects and brushes and all kinds of live effects and live objects (enfelopes, repeats, intertwines, live paiont, you name it). So the file is packaged as a Smart object. And of couse the Photoshop content in not inside, because Illustrator cannot keep that editable. 

Workflow: Image Trace in AI, Save as a SVG, and move to PS. Would be nice to go directly to PS and/or PS-AI.. I have already provided examples of how this could be added to the File or Plugin menu. Albeit may be Plugin by title only may not be the right place based on semantics?

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I don't think I'll ever understand the necessity of tracing when later on you will go back into Photoshop with it, effectively rasterizing it again. But again: What do you want to do with it? Apply effects to it? Use it in a mockup? 

You can export a PSD from Illustrator. The only thing you need to do is open that in Photoshop. Other than that: select all, copy and paste. Or put into your CC library to move it over.

They are two different apps after all. The workflows and the demands are so diverse that it will be very difficult to find a one size fits all solution. Finding a space in the menu for the command is the simplest step in developing this.

[westdr1dw]

Awesome thank you for the in-depth explanation.

However a little perplexed when you state you do not understand the necessity of moving an Image after traving to PS. Are you stating the image reverts back to original form and no gains? I see a major difference. If you magnify the image beyond 200% you will begin to see some pixelation or aliasing. Most users who use PS find it far easier to navigate in PS than AI. I think this is inherent in the design. Only way I can describe is moving from a relational database to hierachial database. Having worked in both databases a referential is a lot easier to navigate. As always appreciate your insight. If you are intrested would like to share a story with you while working at Ford and working with a Ford dealer in Cologne GE.

[Monika Gause]

When you edit that traced image in Photoshop, it gets rasterized. What are you gaining with that workflow? That makes no sense. If you have successfully vectorized an image, then stay in vector with it. Otherwise the step of vectorizing it is fruitless. You just have to learn how Illustrator works, because Photoshop will probably never work vector based.

But also: If you enlarge the vectorized image, in most of the cases it will look as bad as a low resolution pixel image. So if you need to increase the size of an image beyond what's possible, I would rather use some of the advanced image resizers (some of them based on artificial intelligence) than vectorizing.

[westdr1dw]

Monika;

I have attached two files of the same image. One of the files was exported from AI and opened in PS. I set the one with a rez of 72 ppi to save space. There is a major difference when comparing the two images. The image Minnie Mouse Vector is much more detailed. You will see some white space at the outer edges of the image. I can clean these up easy enough. 

[Monika Gause]

This is the typical image that after vectorizing you wouldn't want to rasterize again and keep in Illustrator for further editing.

[westdr1dw]

I perform the cleanup in PS. I do not think AI is capable?

[Monika Gause]

After you have vectorized it, you import it in Photoshop for cleaning up?