Save as EPS and maintain layers?

[c_gray]

Hi,

Is it possible to save a .psd file as a .eps and maintain the layers? When I convert the file to EPS, the layers are merged. I don't see an option in the "Save As" process that would prevent this from happning. Thanks!

[Guest]

Curious: why do you need EPS? There are other file formats that may suit.

[Guest]

EPS is an old and basically dead format that does not support layers.

Why do you need such an ancient format. there really isn't a good reason to use EPS.

Unless you are using Pagemaker.

[c_gray]

This is what my client wants! Not my choice.

[Guest]

Then your client would know about what layer capability there is with Photoshop's EPS files and would not be asking for layers.

[Paul_Cutler]

No, but it will maintain the vector data until you open it in Photoshop again, then it all gets flattened. About the only use for a Photoshop EPS is to Distill it.

pbc

[c_gray]

Interesitng ... I thought EPS was the highest-quality file format out there, as well as a cross-platform (ie compatible with multiple programs) file type, and thus valued. Good to know. thanks!

[Guest]

c.gray wrote:

Interesitng ... I thought EPS was the highest-quality file format out there, as well as a cross-platform (ie compatible with multiple programs) file type, and thus valued. Good to know. thanks!

EPS is simply a container format that can hold other formats, much like the improved container format we use today: PDF.

[c_gray]

Just curious: why is a PDF better than a PSD?

[Guest]

Just a couple...  1) PDF will contain font data if you use type layers. If you send a PSD file to another, they will need the font file as well.  2) PDF's placed in InDesign display vector data. If you place a PSD, the vector data (type, etc) is interpreted as a raster image.

[Guest]

You can place a PDF in InDesign and it retains the vector data on output.

Place a PSD in ID and even though it can contain vector data it gets rastered on output.

[Printer_Rick]

OP - here is a thought.

First, a Photoshop PDF with transparency is acceptable for InDesign. But many people want a flattened format to place in older programs such as Quark 6, or Pagewrecker.

They often use EPS. Photoshop will outline all fonts in the EPS output. Also with EPS you do not have a dual file format, so you must save a copy. These are two fundamental differences between Photoshop EPS and Photoshop PDF.

Here is another option if you need flattened output, but you still want the PSD info wrapped in a single file.

Save as Photoshop PDF, layers checked.

Select "PDF/X-1a" preset. By the standard, choose "None", When you do this "Photoshop Editing Capabilities" should default to enabled (if not, enable it)

When you save in this fashion, you are saving a flattened PDF output with vector data for other applications, but you also retain the native Photoshop file. This file can be opened for editing in Photoshop and can also be opened for evaluation in Adobe Acrobat.

Please, please be wary of Photoshop fonts. The fonts are embedded subset in the PDF, but sometimes you encounter glyph width errors when preflighting the PDF in Acrobat.

Photoshop has vector capabilities, but these capabilities are half - baked. Each and every font glyph becomes a clipping mask for pixel data. Not an ideal construct. For some RIPS, Photoshop fonts can blow up like dynamite.

I'm not trying to discourage utilizing Photoshop vector. But if possible, set your type in InDesign or Illustrator, it's safer in the long run.

[Guest]

c.gray wrote:

I thought EPS was the highest-quality file format out there, as well as a cross-platform (ie compatible with multiple programs) file type, and thus valued

Well it was in 1992.

I see you missed post #2

standard file formats now are PSD, TIFF, PDF all are cross platform.

[Guest]

And Adobe does not recommend Distilling EPS files.

If you want to retain vector data and layers then use PDF.

[Guest]

However, most printers will ask you to outline type even in a PDF, especially if you are going mac to windows or windows to mac as there are still a lot of Type 1 and True Type fonts floating around out there!

It could be worse...you could be asked to use DCS 2.0 (shudder...the old 5 part separation format...Quark was still using it in version 6...)

[Guest]

CShockr wrote:

However, most printers will ask you to outline type...

How do you quantify "most"?  I have encountered none. Those that require such outlines are probably unable to accept PDF anyway.

[-_JM_-]

you can save to layered EPS from Photoshop CS4, but with a little help from AI:

Open the PSD file in Illustrator CS4, choose to convert objects to layers ( this will maintain vector shapes )

Save out of Illustrator as an EPS

It's not the best end result, or the best format for a PSD. These requests usually occur when the client doesn't have a good understanding of file formats.

j

[Printer_Rick]

Wow, that's a great suggestion. Illustrator corrects Photoshop's crappy font construct.

From Illy you could also hand it back to Photoshop with Export: PSD.

I must say I have not tested Smart Objects in such a workflow however.