Vector Smart Object does not STAY vector.

BP
Posted By
Blade_Parker
Sep 10, 2008
Views
832
Replies
9
Status
Closed
When I save my photoshop file as an .eps, I can have all the text from the Photoshop file remain vector, but a Vector Smart Object does not remain vector. Is there a way to have it remain vector?

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PeterK.
Sep 11, 2008
What do you mean by have it remain vector? While placing into Illustrator or something like that? There’s no way to save an eps and have it recognize a smart object as originating from a vector format. But if it was originally a vector format, what would be the point of bringing it into photoshop, only to want vector output again?
J
jcates
Sep 11, 2008
I’m going to echo Peter here a bit, but are you trying to scale imported vector art inside PS? If so, that ain’t possible. Right click the vector smart object layer and select ‘edit original’ to load Illy and edit/scale/whatever the vector art there, save it and go back to PS.

If, however, you rasterize the VSO at any point and do not undo that before closing the file, you can turn it back into a smart object layer all you want but it won’t be vector anymore.

Also, you should read the warning boxes when saving a PS eps file that contains vector data.

Of course, the best way to deal with this is: don’t save PS eps files; go PSD instead if you want layers and smart object layers with and/or without vector art.
BP
Blade_Parker
Sep 11, 2008
Thanks jcates. I guess you can’t do it.

For me, a PSD file placed into InDesign does not remain vector. I have to save as an .eps or .pdf to keep the vector output. If there’s a way to do it with PSD files, I haven’t found it yet.

PeterK: Vector has a better output on all of our printing equipment. Mixing vector and some layered airbrush images can give some really nice effects and keep a vector logo for example, nice and sharp. I usually have to rasterize the smart object so I thought I would ask if there was a way to keep it vector. Why not create things to be as good as they can if it’s possible.

Sure things can be layered in Illustrator or Indesign. I can even take a photo, then place it in InDesign then place a vector on top of that, then use photo shop to make some transparency on another photo, then go back to Indesign and place that on top. Then the vector remains, but that’s using 3 programs rather than one. I can also do this in Photoshop in one file… but then the Vector Smart Object become rasterized. Yes, yes… it’s good enough, but why not make things better if I can right?

Anyway, I hope that answers your question. I have run into this many times where I wanted the original vector image to remain vetor so I though I would see if there was an easier way to do it.
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Buko
Sep 12, 2008
a PSD file placed into InDesign does not remain vector

Never has never will.

but if you place a Photoshop PDF it does.

EPS is made for last centuries applications (Pagemaker, Quark 3-6) its an old and tired format time to use the tools you have available today especially if you are using InDesign.
BP
Blade_Parker
Oct 11, 2008
Thanks Buko.. PSD files should be pretty current though. They are after all, a Photo Shop Document. I don’t understand why Illustrator would have .eps as one of it’s main file types since it is an old and tired format.

Unfortunately, a PLACED .ai or .eps into Photoshop as a vector smart object does not retain the vector format… no matter how you save it. The ONLY benefit of a VSO is that you can enlarge it and retain your current resolution.

Why YES! A photoshop PDF WILL retain vector for text or vector object drawn in Photoshop. If that’s the way to go… then why have Illustrator at all?
DM
Don_McCahill
Oct 11, 2008
then why have Illustrator at all?

Apparently you don’t draw technical drawings much. Illustrator has far superior drawing tools.
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Mylenium
Oct 12, 2008
Unfortunately, a PLACED .ai or .eps into Photoshop as a vector smart object does not retain the vector format… no matter how you save it.

Only echoing the others: How should it? PS only cares about the appearance of an object, not its internal structure. Embedding the object as vectors would mean that PS would have to fully understand each and every part of the Illustrator item and provide it in editable form, which seems unfeasible. Anyway, I don’t really see a problem here. If you are interested in vector output, then why not change workflow? This example has written all over it "import the PSD stuff in the AI file", not the other way around.

Mylenium
M
markelm
Nov 4, 2008
In my many years of prepress experience, a common theme among designers’ complaints is that they can’t do everything in one program, and they often don’t understand why.

The easiest way to explain it is that Photoshop and Illustrator were NEVER meant to be (and probably never will be) be all, end all programs, at least not in terms of print design. They are SUPPORT applications – Photoshop for raster images, Illustrator for vector art. The SUPPORT files from these two are meant to be brought together in a PAGE LAYOUT program, i.e. InDesign, so that you maintain all the inherent qualities of your support files. Thus, that is the reason Adobe markets them together in their CS Suite packages.

An analogy: you don’t expect the engine (Photoshop) to steer your car, that’s the drivetrain’s job (Illustrator). They’re both brought together to work in harmony by the car’s frame (InDesign).

Sorry for the long post, but this is years of pent up frustration coming out.
JM
J_Maloney
Nov 4, 2008
But then again, driving around in 3000 lbs. of steel is pretty idiotic. The need for layout software might go the way of the overly-complex and wasteful car: kicking and screaming, supported for too long by entrenched, ancient industries, burning the last drop till the bitter end…

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