Graphic Design 7: Photoshop to Illustrator

Converting Photoshop pixel files into an Illustrator vector file.

Have you ever created a logo or had an object in photoshop that you wanted to convert into a vector file? Well, here is one simple way to achieve this. Now keep in mind that considering how complexity of your design, will determine how much clean up you will need to do later in Illustrator. I find that this technique works more efficient with designs that are not so complex. Its great with logos, one color process t-shirt designs, etc.

Step 1: Open the file you want to convert in photoshop. Use the magic wand tool to highlight the object. The object should show the marching ants around it as shown below in Figure 7:1.

Figure 7:1.

Step 2: Next you will click on the path tab that is located on the layers box. Click on the path icon located at the bottom to change the marching ants into a working path. See below in Figure 7:2.

Figure 7:2.

Step 3: After completing the first two steps, click back on the layers tab and turn the eye off on the object layer so you can view the path as seen below in Figure 7:3.

Figure 7:3.

Step 4: We are almost finished! In the top menu bar, click on file, export, paths to illustrator as shown below in Figure 7:4. Save and name the object as an illustrator file to your destop or folder of your choice.

Figure 7:4.

Step 5: This is the final step! Open the new object file in illustrator. You can now change the colors, clean up the graphic and resize it the way you please as a vector format. See below in Figure 7:5.

Figure 7:5.

Hope this helps!

Peace and God Bless!