Title: How to Convert AI to PSD Without Flattening
As a designer or illustrator, you may often find yourself needing to convert your Adobe Illustrator (AI) files to Adobe Photoshop (PSD) format without losing the layers and editability of the original design. While it’s easy to simply flatten the AI file and convert it to a PSD, doing so would result in the loss of important layer information and editability, which defeats the purpose of converting the file in the first place. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to convert AI to PSD without flattening, preserving all of your design elements and keeping the flexibility to make edits in Photoshop.
Step 1: Open the AI file in Adobe Illustrator.
Before starting the conversion process, open the AI file in Adobe Illustrator. Make sure that all the elements are organized in layers and groups, as this will make the conversion process smoother.
Step 2: Save a Copy as PDF
In Adobe Illustrator, go to File > Save A Copy and choose PDF as the file format. This will allow you to preserve the layers and editability of the original design when opening it in Adobe Photoshop.
Step 3: Open the PDF in Adobe Photoshop
Now, open Adobe Photoshop and go to File > Open to select the PDF file that you just saved from Adobe Illustrator. When prompted with the PDF Import Options dialog, select “Import As: Photoshop PDF” and make sure to check the “Layers” option. This will ensure that all the layers from the AI file are preserved when opening the file in Photoshop.
Step 4: Adjust Layers in Photoshop
Once open in Photoshop, you will notice that the layers from the original AI file are preserved. You can now make any necessary adjustments or edits to the design, and the layers will remain intact.
Step 5: Save as PSD
After making any necessary adjustments, go to File > Save As and select the Photoshop PSD format. This will create a new PSD file with all the layers and editability preserved from the original AI file.
By following these steps, you can successfully convert an AI file to PSD format without flattening, allowing you to maintain the integrity of your design and have the flexibility to make adjustments in Photoshop. This method is especially useful for complex designs with multiple layers and elements that need to be retained during the conversion process. With the ability to preserve layers and editability, you can seamlessly transition your designs from Adobe Illustrator to Adobe Photoshop without any loss of quality or functionality.
