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ellie_kort
Participant
April 11, 2020
Question

Problems placing layered photoshop art into Illustrator

  • April 11, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 4498 views

I'm having an issue where I've created a layered photoshop document and saved it as a .psd. I open illustrator and select to Place the photoshop file into the document. As I place the .psd art, only one layer from the photoshop file is showing up versus the full piece of art.

The first image shows my photoshop file with layers, the second photo shows me trying to place it into illustrator. I'm using '20.

 

2 replies

M
Myrte31336264owpa
Participant
August 5, 2024

This is still a problem. Does anyone know why, and how it can be solved?

 

When opening an PSD file in AI, and you check the option 'convert layers to objects' it doens't actually do that. It just makes random combinations of the layers. It used to work great, but from one day to the next it's merging layers together so you can't move them around seperately any more. It used to work great!

Y
yovern
Participating Frequently
September 25, 2024

So I too just today discovered this issue. After a bunch of fiddling and head scratching I discovered the issue and a partial solution.

Illustrator doesn't have the same blending modes as Photoshop (subtract, divide, and a bunch of others missing in Illustrator). If you have any layers with those blend modes it will merge them with layers below it to maintain the document's appearance. I've also found that for some reason, all layer opacity is discarded when importing Photoshop. I am almost certain it was working in the past.

    divas27962573
    divas27962573
    Participant
    July 21, 2025

    Thank you so much! I discovered the issue right after reading this comment. After deleting the layers with blending mode it can be imported successfuly. Hopefully Adobe can fix this soon as it bugs me a lot while working back and forth from Ps to Ai.

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 13, 2020

    Hi

     

    Is it only this file or all files? Try this:

     

    1. Save and Close your PS file.

    2. In Illustrator, choose File > Place and select your image. Uncheck Link, Check Show Import Options. If you don't see them, Options is a toggle to hide/show.


    3. What do you have in this dialog?
      In the PS Import Options Dialog, choose Convert Layers to Object (or Flatten if that's what you want).
    4. If you choose Convert Layers to Objects, each layer will become an object. If you choose flat, it should come in as a single image.

     

    Note: this photo is the sample photo that comes with PS for iPad.

     

    Does this help? 

     

    ~ Jane



     

      E
      ellie_kortAuthor
      Participant
      April 13, 2020

      Hi tried what you suggested and it still doesn't work. When I do it that way, no image shows up. I don't know if maybe there's something wrong with my Photoshop/Illustrator? I also have both 2019 and 2020 of both programs on my dock so I wonder if this is causing an issue?

      A
      aa_lique33
      Participant
      May 17, 2020

      Hi,

      No, it's not the multiple versions. I have four versions of PS on this computer, six on my laptop, and I'm not sure how many on my older computer.

       

      It might be something with the PSD, but I can't think of what. Have you tried it with another layered PSD? If you don't have one, then create something simple with text and paint. Try that and let me know.

       

      Also, since you are on a Mac, you don't have to close the file before placing it.

       

      ~ Jane


      Jane is correct.
      I am having the same problem. Illustartor is Flattening all the layers. It didn't happen last week. But today yes I have a problem.
      When I open the .psd file in Illustrator and I choose "Convert Layers to Objects" it flattens the image.

      I had 5 layers on one attempt.

      And Then I even tried using  different groups. 

      Then I tried it with saving as an .eps file w/5 layers.

      Illustrator still flattens the image with the Convert Layers yo Objects option on.

      My Resolution: The only work around I found until Adobe fixes this malfunction in Illustrator is, when saving the file in Photoshop, Use the menu
      "File/Export/Layers to File..." option and save the files separately. I know it defeats the purpose. But hopefully they'll be concienctious enough to make the correction.
      WHY? What did Adobe do to disable this important function in Illustrator for importing layered .psd files? 
      Pls advise us and fix SOOOON.
      Thanks

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