Photoshop→Illustrator handoff: PDF-compatible .ai as a shared container for markup, not a rebuilt layer stack
`photoshop-to-illustrator-ai` helps teams that live in Illustrator accept a PS comp: the visible merge lands in a single page they can open for dielines, notes, or new vector overlays. Value is workflow alignment, not editable PS semantics. If partners need live type and shape surgery, require PSD in parallel or plan a desktop export—otherwise reviews stall on “why can’t I ungroup the hero.”
Comment utiliser
- Golden-open a sample .ai in their Illustrator template (units, color settings, resolution), then freeze PSD visibility and artboards before upload with a note: single-page only.
- Have them run their scripts for links, outline preview, and overprint; if they sit on old Illustrator builds, save a down-version desktop control file to match.
- Mirror PSD source, .ai handoff, and approval screenshots in one folder trio—do not close the ticket with only an .ai orphan in chat history.
PSD to AI (illustrator) FAQ
Illustrator opens the .ai like one big embedded plate with almost no dissectible structure—is that broken output or the PDF-compatible flat model?
Expected: the visible merge becomes a PDF-compatible stream where the hero usually sits as embedded raster for annotation and overdrawing, not a hundred Photoshop layers. For per-layer PS work, stay in PSD or use a desktop-specific export—another online pass will not “add layers.”
Type cannot be edited like a normal AI job—is that always missing fonts, or rasterized/outlined copy from Photoshop?
Usually the text was rasterized or outlined before merge, so Illustrator has no live text boxes—different from a simple missing-font substitution. Keep live type in PSD and handle legal outlining/embed policy in desktop prepress, not via online flatten.
Smart objects looked sharp in PSD but soft or broken in AI—what local checks precede upload?
Embed/update links, save child docs, and confirm merged pixel dimensions; cloud workers cannot see your broken local paths. If it is soft, the source long edge may be too small—fix resolution in PSD, not the AI wrapper.
We need a multi-page brochure but only one AI returns—what is the correct operational split?
The tool is single-page: one visible composite maps to one .ai. Split PSDs or export page by page with page-coded filenames—expecting one .ai to silently hold an entire book is a requirements mismatch.
A vendor insists on “vector AI” while the master is bitmap-heavy—how do we answer professionally and avoid press disasters?
Be explicit the .ai carries embedded raster semantics, not production-ready infinite-zoom vectors; engraving or vinyl may need redraws or true vector sources. Separate pricing and deliverables for “vector engineering” versus “Illustrator-open flat handoff” so liability stays clear.