Creating a vector logo in AI after designing it in Photoshop

[Phil Personal Acct]

Hi guys, 

Sorry if this is a repost, but I couldn't find the answers to it anywhere. 

I recently designed a logo in Photoshop - I am reasonably proficient in PS. I then put it into Illustrator because i want to make it vector so i can scale and size it wihtout brutalising the details. So I have a few questions.

What's the best way to bring it in to AI to maintain the layers. The logo is text plus shapes. And they are different colors... So I can't just bring it in as a pNg and then edit the whole thing in AI - I need to edit each layer individually. 

What should I export it from AI so i can use it in other aps without it losing its beautiful vector qualities. If I put it in Final Cut and scaled it up for example?

Thanks in advance all you master designers !!!

P x 

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

Have you tried properly opening the psd with Illustrator? 

[jane-e]

Hi @c.pfaffenbichler 

I didn't see your post while I was creating mine 🙂

Jane

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Well, my post was a lot less instructive and detailled. 

[jane-e · Accepted solution]

What's the best way to bring it in to AI to maintain the layers.

By @Phil Personal Acct

In Photoshop, save your PSD. If you are in Windows, close it — on macOS it doesn't matter.

In Illustrator:

• Create a file with the same size in pixels (or larger) as the PSD
• File > Place > Select the PSD > Set options for Place
  Link: off
  Show Import Options: On
  You may have to click "Options" to toggle this area to show/hide
  
  Click "Place" after options are set.
  
  
• In the dialog that pops up, choose "Convert Layers to Objects" (Flatten is the default) > OK
  
• Object menu > Ungroup as many times as needed (I had to do it three times with this image)
  Layers panel, expand the Layers
  
  
• It also made a composite for me. This is after ungrouping several times.
  
• The Options are sticky and you might want to put them back to the Defaults.

Photo Credits:
The thimble was created in 3D for the current bi-weekly Photoshop Challenge by @davescm . He also created the safety pin for an earlier challenge
https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/something-for-the-weekend-part-169-ke...

~ Jane

[Phil Personal Acct]

Hey Jane E, 

Thanks for your very detailed reply. I followed the instructions and i opened the Ps logo into Illustrator. But what I have ended up with is a pixelated version of the image from PS into Illustrator. What I am looking to achieve is a vector image that I can then edit and save out and use in programs like PS or FCPX etc without pixelation problems. 

Am I right in thinking that I have to therefore build the logo in Illustrator? So it begins life as a vector? I am sorry for the miscommunication here. I will have another go at building it in Illustrator and then ask any questions here if I get stuck.

Sorry for all the bother. And thank you for helping me with your time / skills.

P x

[jane-e]

@Phil Personal Acct 

Hi Phil,

Bringing a raster file from Photoshop into Illustrator does not make it vector, as you saw. I wasn't sure how much to write in my first post or how much you knew. You have two choices to make it vector:

• Use the Pen tool to draw around each of your shapes. It works almost exactly like the Pen tool in Photoshop, with 2-3 minor exceptions. The Direct Selection tool (white arrow) is for editing.
• Select one object with the Selection tool (black arrow) and use Image Trace. There are a few presets in the Image Trace panel, all of which can be customized. When done, Expand the shape (Control panel), which will delete the raster shape and leave the vector path. Repeat for the others.
  https://www.linkedin.com/learning/illustrator-2021-essential-training/using-image-trace
  https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/image-trace.html
• You can also use the drawing tools (rectangle, ellipse, etc.), if you need to recreate those shapes.

To keep the file in vector, save it in one of two formats:

• Illustrator
• Scaleable Vector Graphics (SVG)

Layers aren't like Photoshop. All shapes can be on one layer if you want, or you can create additional layers if needed.

One more thing: I saw who marked the two answers "correct" and it wasn't you. Let us know if it's okay to leave it or if you want them both unmarked for the time being.

Jane

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible?