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Sandee Cohen
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Vectors (aka paths) are very powerful items. Unlike pixel art that can look lousy when scaled beyond a certain point, vectors are mathematical objects that can be scaled up and down with no loss of information.
Most designers use Illustrator to create their vector graphics. But there are vector tools in InDesign and Photoshop as well. Someday you may find that you need the vector shapes created in one program in another. Thats where the ability to move vectors becomes important.
[h=2]Moving vectors between Illustrator and InDesign[/h]When it comes to working with vectors, your primary vector drawing program is most likely Illustrator. (I do know one famous InDesign expert who uses a page layout program, such as InDesign, as his primary drawing program, but he did the same when he used QuarkXPress.)
So why do so many people use Illustrator as their primary vector-drawing program? Isnt the Pen tool in both programs the same? Well, yes, but there are so many effects or techniques that InDesign just cant do. Illustrator has the tools to create shapes such as spirals and arcs that would be difficult to do in InDesign. Illustrators live effects make it easy to warp simple objects into special shapes. And much clip art comes in EPS (vector) format.
So, why not do everything in Illustrator, and then just place the file as a linked image? Because its easier to work with those shapes if they are actual paths inside your InDesign layout instead of placed images from Illustrator. For instance, if you want text on a path, youll find it easier to make changes to the text or typeface if the path is in InDesign. You may want to insert images inside the vector shape. Or you may just want the convenience of changing colors as part of InDesigns object styles.
[h=3]Moving across the divide[/h]Its easy to get paths from Illustrator into InDesign. Just copy and paste. Or, if youve got loads of screen real estate, drag the paths over the edges between the two applications. The paths plop down on the InDesign page. Once the paths are in InDesign, they behave exactly like paths that you create in InDesign.
There are times when you wont be able to move vectors from Illustrator into InDesign. For instance, if the Illustrator artwork contains too many points or too many objects, InDesign throws up its figurative hands and protests that it cant handle that many items. Instead it embeds the objects as EPS art. This is worse than if you had just placed the artwork as an Illustrator file, which can at least be modified back in Illustrator.
If you get the message that your artwork will be embedded into InDesign, my suggestion is to click OK, and then undo the command. (There is no Cancel button.) If you do embed the artwork into InDesign, and then want it out, youll have to copy and paste. See the section Moving Vectors from InDesign into Illustrator.
[h=3]What you lose going from Illustrator into InDesign[/h]Going from Illustrator into InDesign, you lose all pixel effects like drop shadows, glows, and any of the Photoshop effects in the Effects menu. Opacity settings are lost, even if the resulting objects would be vectors. But pure vector effects, such as blends, warps, distortions, multiple fills, and multiple strokes get converted as if you had expanded the artwork in Illustrator.
[h=2]Moving Vectors from Illustrator to Photoshop[/h]Why would you want to move vectors from Illustrator into Photoshop? For the same reason you do it in InDesign. There are so many effects that you cant do in Photoshop that you can do in Illustrator. In addition, Photoshop has its own path features that can be used to enhance Photoshops native pixels.
Its easy to move paths from Illustrator into Photoshop. Just copy the paths in Illustrator, switch to Photoshop, and paste. You will be confronted with a dialog box asking you to choose the format for the art. Each choice gives you its own ways of working with the artwork.
Once youve got vectors in a Photoshop document, you can manipulate them with the same vector selection tools you have in either Illustrator or InDesign.
[h=3]Pasting as Pixels[/h]If you choose to paste as pixels, the paths appear in Photoshop with transform controls. Drag the handles to scale, skew, rotate, or otherwise distort the artwork with no loss of resolution. Photoshop resamples the images from the original vectors. But once you click Enter or Apply, the paths are rasterized. Bye, bye vectors.
[h=3]Pasting as Paths[/h]If you choose to paste as paths, and no layer is selected, the paths appear in Photoshops Paths panel as a Work Path. This can be saved as a named path. However, if a layer is selected, the pasted paths appear as a Vector Mask, which clips the contents of the layer within the vector mask. The crisp edges of the vector shape are maintained in the Photoshop file when you print directly out of Photoshop. This is similar to placing Photoshop art inside a vector shape in either Illustrator or InDesign. Its the closest thing Photoshop has to InDesigns graphics frames.
However, if you place a Photoshop file with a vector mask into InDesign, and then print the file, the vector mask is rasterized. Fortunately, if you save the file as a Photoshop PDF, the vector mask keeps its crisp, vector edges when printed.
Bringing paths from Illustrator into Photoshop also lets you add those paths to Photoshops wide variety of custom shapes. These shapes can then be applied to the canvas using the Custom Shape Tool. Just select and right-mouse click on the shape to choose Define Custom Shape.
[h=3]Pasting as Shape Layers[/h]A Shape Layer creates a vector shape that is similar to pasting as a path. A vector mask is created over pixels. However, instead of masking a layer of an image, the shape layer is filled with a solid color. This is the foreground color. However, if a shape layer is selected, the new shape layer takes on the color of the selected layer.
Shape layers can only contain one color. You cant have an image in the layer, just a solid color. However, you can use any of the Photoshop layer effects (such as a gradient or pattern fill) on the shape layer to modify the solid color.
Like pasting as paths, shape layers allow you to have sharp, vector paths that outline the artwork. These paths are vectors when printed directly out of Photoshop. They are rasterized when the PSD file is placed into and printed from InDesign. However, when saved as a Photoshop PDF, they print as vector paths.
[h=3]Pasting as Vector Smart Objects[/h]Smart objects are a hybrid combination of paths and raster images that travel from Illustrator into Photoshop. However, unlike the shape layers that can contain only one color, Vector Smart Objects maintain all the swatches, gradients, effects, and other elements in the Illustrator file.
You create a Vector Smart Object by choosing Vector Smart Object when you paste Illustrator paths into Photoshop. Transformation handles let you scale or modify the art before it is entered as a Vector Smart Object. You can also use the File > Place command to choose an Illustrator file to embed as a Vector Smart Object.
[h=4]Editing the Vector Smart Object[/h]A Vector Smart Object is more than just artwork on a layer in a Photoshop file. It is actually the entire, original Illustrator file hanging around inside of the Photoshop file. So, if you need to edit any part of the original Illustrator art, you simply double-click the Vector Smart Object thumbnail or choose Edit Contents in the Layers panel menu. An alert box appears with a lot of text. All you have to do is remember to save your work when youre finished making the changes in the Vector Smart Object. Adobe says choose File > Save, but Cmd/Ctrl-S works just as well.
When you edit the Vector Smart Object, youre no longer in Photoshop. Youve launched Illustrator and are editing the artwork within Illustrator. But youre not editing the original Illustrator file. Youre editing a stripped down version of the file that doesnt contain all the libraries and goodies found in the original file. You can tell this isnt the original file as the title is Vector Smart Object.
Once you choose File > Save, you can close the Vector Smart Object file and return to Photoshop. Your changes are immediately applied to the Photoshop information.
As far as editing, Vector Smart Objects are totally Illustrator files with all the characteristics of vector art. However, the artwork is rasterized into pixels when the Photoshop file is printed. Theres nothing that can stop it. Vector Smart Objects play dumb when it comes to printing.
[h=3]Vector Smart Objects from InDesign[/h]You can create Vector Smart Objects from InDesign in Photoshop files. Select the objects in InDesign, copy, and then paste into Photoshop. You wont get a choice as to how to paste; the artwork automatically creates a Vector Smart Object.
However, when you choose to edit the Vector Smart Object, the command doesnt open InDesign. Instead, it launches Illustrator where you can make changes.
[h=2]Moving vectors between InDesign and Illustrator[/h]Why might you need to move vectors out of InDesign into Illustrator? Theres not much that you can do in InDesign that you cant do in Illustrator. Why not just start in Illustrator?
Well there are some people (like my InDesign expert friend) who insist on working with the tools they know best. These people like using the drawing tools in their page layout program. But lets say that you inherit an InDesign file from them where theyve created a fantastic logo for your client. But you want to convert the logo into an Illustrator file that can be used and modified by those who dont have InDesign. How do you get the vectors out of InDesign into Illustrator?
[h=3]Copying and pasting from INDD to AI[/h]Its pretty simple to get the paths over to Illustrator from InDesign. Select the artwork, copy, move over to Illustrator, and paste. You can also drag and drop from one application to the other. Just make sure that Copy PDF to Clipboard is selected in InDesigns preferences or Illustrator wont be able to accept the path.
[h=4]Watch out for the clipping path![/h]Once you get the path into Illustrator, you need to delete a clipping path (bounding box) that is automatically created around the art. You can select it in the Layers panel or with the Direction Selection tool.
Once the clipping path is deleted, the artwork behaves exactly like any other Illustrator path.
[h=2]Moving from Photoshop into Illustrator or InDesign[/h]Ive only found one vital reason to bring paths from Photoshop into either Illustrator or InDesignextricating Photoshops custom shapes from its shapes libraries. You may recognize these from sample symbols in Illustrator. But others are new to Photoshop. I especially like the custom arrows and special shapes from the Grime library. I use the Custom Shape Tool to drag the shape onto the InDesign or Illustrator canvas.
Note: One advantage Photoshop has in working with vectors is the rubber band feature for the Pen tool. With this option turned on, a line extends out from the previous point indicating how the next segment of the path will look. Its a nuance that makes it easier to use the Pen tool.
[h=3]From Photoshop to Illustrator[/h]Once youve got a custom shape on the canvas, you can copy/paste or drag/drop it into Illustrator. It comes in without a fill or stroke, but thats no problem. Just add whatever enhancements you want.
[h=3]From Photoshop to InDesign[/h]You would think it would be just as simple to copy and paste from Photoshop into InDesign, but its not. If you copy from Photoshop and paste into InDesign, youll get an error message. Since the error is undefined its hard to figure out how to fix it.
But remember there was no problem pasting into Illustrator. So we can use Illustrator as the transitional program between Photoshop and InDesign. Copy the path in Photoshop and then paste it into Illustrator. Now, copy the path in Illustrator (you've got to actually copy the path) and paste it into InDesign. Whoops! Theres another error message.
At least this message gives us a clue as to why the paste didnt work: Scrap contains no visible objects. What that means is you need to give the path either a fill or stroke in order for it to come into InDesign. When you add a visible element, the path pastes without any problems. It may seem cumbersome, but you might find those shapes very helpful in InDesign, as I do.
[h=3]Exporting Paths to Illustrator[/h]Another way to get paths out of Photoshop, is to use the Export > Paths to Illustrator command. This opens the Export Paths to File dialog box where you get a choice of which paths you want to export. When you save the export, it is saved as an Illustrator file. However, like the paths that are copied out of Photoshop, the exported paths have no fill or stroke. So in order to get them into InDesign, you'll have to give them some sort of visible element.
[h=2]Staying on the right path[/h]Understanding how to move paths from one program to another can help you re-use artwork, enhance projects, and work better in the super-application, InDe-Illu-Shop.
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Graphics
Graphics Asset Mgmt./Workflow
Graphics Image Editing
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Photo Image Editing
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Print Asset Mgmt./Workflow
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Sandee Cohen
Rating:
0/5
Body:
Vectors (aka paths) are very powerful items. Unlike pixel art that can look lousy when scaled beyond a certain point, vectors are mathematical objects that can be scaled up and down with no loss of information.
Most designers use Illustrator to create their vector graphics. But there are vector tools in InDesign and Photoshop as well. Someday you may find that you need the vector shapes created in one program in another. Thats where the ability to move vectors becomes important.
[h=2]Moving vectors between Illustrator and InDesign[/h]When it comes to working with vectors, your primary vector drawing program is most likely Illustrator. (I do know one famous InDesign expert who uses a page layout program, such as InDesign, as his primary drawing program, but he did the same when he used QuarkXPress.)
So why do so many people use Illustrator as their primary vector-drawing program? Isnt the Pen tool in both programs the same? Well, yes, but there are so many effects or techniques that InDesign just cant do. Illustrator has the tools to create shapes such as spirals and arcs that would be difficult to do in InDesign. Illustrators live effects make it easy to warp simple objects into special shapes. And much clip art comes in EPS (vector) format.
So, why not do everything in Illustrator, and then just place the file as a linked image? Because its easier to work with those shapes if they are actual paths inside your InDesign layout instead of placed images from Illustrator. For instance, if you want text on a path, youll find it easier to make changes to the text or typeface if the path is in InDesign. You may want to insert images inside the vector shape. Or you may just want the convenience of changing colors as part of InDesigns object styles.
[h=3]Moving across the divide[/h]Its easy to get paths from Illustrator into InDesign. Just copy and paste. Or, if youve got loads of screen real estate, drag the paths over the edges between the two applications. The paths plop down on the InDesign page. Once the paths are in InDesign, they behave exactly like paths that you create in InDesign.
There are times when you wont be able to move vectors from Illustrator into InDesign. For instance, if the Illustrator artwork contains too many points or too many objects, InDesign throws up its figurative hands and protests that it cant handle that many items. Instead it embeds the objects as EPS art. This is worse than if you had just placed the artwork as an Illustrator file, which can at least be modified back in Illustrator.
If you get the message that your artwork will be embedded into InDesign, my suggestion is to click OK, and then undo the command. (There is no Cancel button.) If you do embed the artwork into InDesign, and then want it out, youll have to copy and paste. See the section Moving Vectors from InDesign into Illustrator.
[h=3]What you lose going from Illustrator into InDesign[/h]Going from Illustrator into InDesign, you lose all pixel effects like drop shadows, glows, and any of the Photoshop effects in the Effects menu. Opacity settings are lost, even if the resulting objects would be vectors. But pure vector effects, such as blends, warps, distortions, multiple fills, and multiple strokes get converted as if you had expanded the artwork in Illustrator.
[h=2]Moving Vectors from Illustrator to Photoshop[/h]Why would you want to move vectors from Illustrator into Photoshop? For the same reason you do it in InDesign. There are so many effects that you cant do in Photoshop that you can do in Illustrator. In addition, Photoshop has its own path features that can be used to enhance Photoshops native pixels.
Its easy to move paths from Illustrator into Photoshop. Just copy the paths in Illustrator, switch to Photoshop, and paste. You will be confronted with a dialog box asking you to choose the format for the art. Each choice gives you its own ways of working with the artwork.
Once youve got vectors in a Photoshop document, you can manipulate them with the same vector selection tools you have in either Illustrator or InDesign.
[h=3]Pasting as Pixels[/h]If you choose to paste as pixels, the paths appear in Photoshop with transform controls. Drag the handles to scale, skew, rotate, or otherwise distort the artwork with no loss of resolution. Photoshop resamples the images from the original vectors. But once you click Enter or Apply, the paths are rasterized. Bye, bye vectors.
[h=3]Pasting as Paths[/h]If you choose to paste as paths, and no layer is selected, the paths appear in Photoshops Paths panel as a Work Path. This can be saved as a named path. However, if a layer is selected, the pasted paths appear as a Vector Mask, which clips the contents of the layer within the vector mask. The crisp edges of the vector shape are maintained in the Photoshop file when you print directly out of Photoshop. This is similar to placing Photoshop art inside a vector shape in either Illustrator or InDesign. Its the closest thing Photoshop has to InDesigns graphics frames.
However, if you place a Photoshop file with a vector mask into InDesign, and then print the file, the vector mask is rasterized. Fortunately, if you save the file as a Photoshop PDF, the vector mask keeps its crisp, vector edges when printed.
[h=3]Pasting as Shape Layers[/h]A Shape Layer creates a vector shape that is similar to pasting as a path. A vector mask is created over pixels. However, instead of masking a layer of an image, the shape layer is filled with a solid color. This is the foreground color. However, if a shape layer is selected, the new shape layer takes on the color of the selected layer.
Shape layers can only contain one color. You cant have an image in the layer, just a solid color. However, you can use any of the Photoshop layer effects (such as a gradient or pattern fill) on the shape layer to modify the solid color.
Like pasting as paths, shape layers allow you to have sharp, vector paths that outline the artwork. These paths are vectors when printed directly out of Photoshop. They are rasterized when the PSD file is placed into and printed from InDesign. However, when saved as a Photoshop PDF, they print as vector paths.
[h=3]Pasting as Vector Smart Objects[/h]Smart objects are a hybrid combination of paths and raster images that travel from Illustrator into Photoshop. However, unlike the shape layers that can contain only one color, Vector Smart Objects maintain all the swatches, gradients, effects, and other elements in the Illustrator file.
You create a Vector Smart Object by choosing Vector Smart Object when you paste Illustrator paths into Photoshop. Transformation handles let you scale or modify the art before it is entered as a Vector Smart Object. You can also use the File > Place command to choose an Illustrator file to embed as a Vector Smart Object.
When you edit the Vector Smart Object, youre no longer in Photoshop. Youve launched Illustrator and are editing the artwork within Illustrator. But youre not editing the original Illustrator file. Youre editing a stripped down version of the file that doesnt contain all the libraries and goodies found in the original file. You can tell this isnt the original file as the title is Vector Smart Object.
Once you choose File > Save, you can close the Vector Smart Object file and return to Photoshop. Your changes are immediately applied to the Photoshop information.
As far as editing, Vector Smart Objects are totally Illustrator files with all the characteristics of vector art. However, the artwork is rasterized into pixels when the Photoshop file is printed. Theres nothing that can stop it. Vector Smart Objects play dumb when it comes to printing.
[h=3]Vector Smart Objects from InDesign[/h]You can create Vector Smart Objects from InDesign in Photoshop files. Select the objects in InDesign, copy, and then paste into Photoshop. You wont get a choice as to how to paste; the artwork automatically creates a Vector Smart Object.
However, when you choose to edit the Vector Smart Object, the command doesnt open InDesign. Instead, it launches Illustrator where you can make changes.
[h=2]Moving vectors between InDesign and Illustrator[/h]Why might you need to move vectors out of InDesign into Illustrator? Theres not much that you can do in InDesign that you cant do in Illustrator. Why not just start in Illustrator?
Well there are some people (like my InDesign expert friend) who insist on working with the tools they know best. These people like using the drawing tools in their page layout program. But lets say that you inherit an InDesign file from them where theyve created a fantastic logo for your client. But you want to convert the logo into an Illustrator file that can be used and modified by those who dont have InDesign. How do you get the vectors out of InDesign into Illustrator?
[h=3]Copying and pasting from INDD to AI[/h]Its pretty simple to get the paths over to Illustrator from InDesign. Select the artwork, copy, move over to Illustrator, and paste. You can also drag and drop from one application to the other. Just make sure that Copy PDF to Clipboard is selected in InDesigns preferences or Illustrator wont be able to accept the path.
[h=4]Watch out for the clipping path![/h]Once you get the path into Illustrator, you need to delete a clipping path (bounding box) that is automatically created around the art. You can select it in the Layers panel or with the Direction Selection tool.
Once the clipping path is deleted, the artwork behaves exactly like any other Illustrator path.
[h=2]Moving from Photoshop into Illustrator or InDesign[/h]Ive only found one vital reason to bring paths from Photoshop into either Illustrator or InDesignextricating Photoshops custom shapes from its shapes libraries. You may recognize these from sample symbols in Illustrator. But others are new to Photoshop. I especially like the custom arrows and special shapes from the Grime library. I use the Custom Shape Tool to drag the shape onto the InDesign or Illustrator canvas.
Note: One advantage Photoshop has in working with vectors is the rubber band feature for the Pen tool. With this option turned on, a line extends out from the previous point indicating how the next segment of the path will look. Its a nuance that makes it easier to use the Pen tool.
[h=3]From Photoshop to Illustrator[/h]Once youve got a custom shape on the canvas, you can copy/paste or drag/drop it into Illustrator. It comes in without a fill or stroke, but thats no problem. Just add whatever enhancements you want.
[h=3]From Photoshop to InDesign[/h]You would think it would be just as simple to copy and paste from Photoshop into InDesign, but its not. If you copy from Photoshop and paste into InDesign, youll get an error message. Since the error is undefined its hard to figure out how to fix it.
But remember there was no problem pasting into Illustrator. So we can use Illustrator as the transitional program between Photoshop and InDesign. Copy the path in Photoshop and then paste it into Illustrator. Now, copy the path in Illustrator (you've got to actually copy the path) and paste it into InDesign. Whoops! Theres another error message.
At least this message gives us a clue as to why the paste didnt work: Scrap contains no visible objects. What that means is you need to give the path either a fill or stroke in order for it to come into InDesign. When you add a visible element, the path pastes without any problems. It may seem cumbersome, but you might find those shapes very helpful in InDesign, as I do.
[h=3]Exporting Paths to Illustrator[/h]Another way to get paths out of Photoshop, is to use the Export > Paths to Illustrator command. This opens the Export Paths to File dialog box where you get a choice of which paths you want to export. When you save the export, it is saved as an Illustrator file. However, like the paths that are copied out of Photoshop, the exported paths have no fill or stroke. So in order to get them into InDesign, you'll have to give them some sort of visible element.
[h=2]Staying on the right path[/h]Understanding how to move paths from one program to another can help you re-use artwork, enhance projects, and work better in the super-application, InDe-Illu-Shop.
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[h=2]Liked This? Read These![/h]
[h=3]Convert and Expand InDesign Artwork into Illustrator Paths[/h]  With these simple steps you can make any InDesign paths ready to use inside Illustrator artwork. Read More | [h=3]Using InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop Together: Moving Text Between the Programs[/h]  How to combine InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop into one super-application. Read More |
[h=3]Using InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop Together: Linking and Embedding Files[/h]  How to combine InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop into one super-application. Read More | [h=3]Clipping Drop Shadows in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign[/h] On my Mordy.com blog, I made note of my quest to create an iPhone skin entirely in Illustrator. Read More |
Graphics
Graphics Asset Mgmt./Workflow
Graphics Image Editing
Illustration
Photography
Photo Asset Mgmt./Workflow
Photo Image Editing
Print Asset Mgmt./Workflow
Print Design & Layout
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