Importing svg into photoshop without rasterizing it

[kerenduchan]

Is there a way to import an svg into photoshop with the result being that each path in the svg is converted into a fill layer with a vector mask?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

No. 

At least not by default, but I suspect it might be possible to create a plugin or Script to do that. 

If the svg is very simple it might work out to do it manually by pasting the paths in Photoshop. 

What is this about anyway? Why would you need such a functionality? 

[kerenduchan]

In order to add texture and shading to clean vector objects in photoshop. Tom Froese creates his illustrations in photoshop using vector masks on fill layers and then adds texture and shading using raster brushes. It would be easier to create the vector shapes in a vector software like Adobe Illustrator and then continue working on it seamlessly in photoshop without losing the vector information.

https://www.tomfroese.com/

[c.pfaffenbichler]

If you place the svg as Smart Objects they will maitain sharpness in Photoshop anyway. 

»It would be easier to create the vector shapes in a vector software like Adobe Illustrator and then continue working on it seamlessly in photoshop without losing the vector information.«

But that’s not possible unless you (or someone else) invests the time to create the software for the transfer. 

Photoshop’s vector tools are in some limited aspects superior to Illustrator’s anyway. 

[JJMack]

There is an add-on Svg Layers that can import Svg files into photoshop as shapes layers, most of the possible thing an SVG file can contain is supported not all.  The extension actually uses Photoshop scripting to read the text information in the .svg file to create the layers.  So if the .svg file is large and very complex importing SVG layers may take some time.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I stand corrected, someone has already taken the time. 

[kerenduchan]

Thank you! I will check it out.