If you work with both Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, you might find yourself needing to convert files between the two programs. Sometimes, you may receive an Illustrator file (AI) that needs to be edited in Photoshop (PSD), but when you open it in Photoshop, you find that the elements are grouped together. This can be frustrating, but the good news is that there are ways to ungroup an AI file to PSD. In this article, we’ll explore some methods to accomplish this task.
Method 1: Exporting as a PSD file
The simplest way to ungroup an AI file is to export it as a PSD file directly from Adobe Illustrator. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the AI file in Adobe Illustrator.
2. Select “File” > “Export” > “Export As.”
3. Choose “Photoshop (psd)” as the file format.
4. Select the options that suit your needs and click “Export.”
This method will create a PSD file from the AI file, and the elements within the PSD file will not be grouped together by default.
Method 2: Using the “Release to Layers (Sequence)” option
If you need to ungroup the elements within the AI file without exporting it to PSD, you can use the “Release to Layers (Sequence)” option in Adobe Illustrator. This method allows you to separate the grouped elements into individual layers.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the AI file in Adobe Illustrator.
2. Select all the elements you want to ungroup.
3. Go to “Object” > “Ungroup” to release any overarching groups.
4. Once the elements are ungrouped, select them all again.
5. Go to “Object” > “Compound Path” > “Release to Layers (Sequence).”
This method will create individual layers for each element, allowing you to further manipulate them in Adobe Photoshop.
Method 3: Using the “Export As” option in Adobe Illustrator
Another method to ungroup an AI file to a PSD is by using the “Export As” option in Adobe Illustrator. This method provides more control over the exported file and its layers.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the AI file in Adobe Illustrator.
2. Select “File” > “Export” > “Export As.”
3. Choose “Photoshop (psd)” as the file format.
4. In the export options, make sure to select “Write Layers” to create individual layers in the new PSD file.
By following these steps, you can export the AI file to PSD with the layers maintained, allowing you to edit each element separately in Photoshop.
In conclusion, ungrouping an AI file to PSD can be accomplished using various methods, including directly exporting the file as a PSD from Illustrator, releasing to layers in Illustrator, or using the “Export As” option. Each method provides a unique approach to ungrouping the elements within the AI file, giving you the flexibility to work with the individual elements in Photoshop. Whether you need to make minor adjustments or significant edits, understanding these methods will help you efficiently convert and work with AI files in Photoshop.
