Can Photoshop make true vector files?

FreakyDeakyD · Aug 11, 2006

Ok, I've been trying to find the answer to this questions, but hopefully I can get the experts on this forum to shed some light on this.

Photoshop is able to produce some vector like stuff using shapes and fonts. If you save it to a Photoshop PDF format and open it in Adobe Acrobat, it sure looks like a vector, since I can keep zooming in without having the bitmap blocks.

So the question is. Can you product a true vector format file when designing in Photoshop. Will a printer except you .eps and .pdf export from Photoshop for printing?

will7 · Aug 11, 2006

Simple answer, No. Although Photoshop does have limited vector capabilities, it is not a fully vector design program and it never will be. You are best of using a program like Adobe Illustrator that was designed with vector in mind, it was it's purpose - unlike Photoshop who's purpose was as a powerful graphics program but not for vector.

Does that help clear things up?

FreakyDeakyD · Aug 11, 2006

That's what I thought, but I keep seeing people saying that they design vector and end up with a psd file and some exports to pdf and eps.

will7 · Aug 11, 2006

They're lying :lol: If I was ever looking for a logo design, I would always request 100% vector work supplied in .ai and .eps formats at the least. You can export a layered Illustrator image as a .psd file but it will not maintain its vector format in Photoshop.

FreakyDeakyD · Aug 11, 2006

but .eps isn't always vector either, since you can export a .psd to .eps. So the only true check would be to ask for a .ai. Right?

Varelse · Aug 11, 2006

No, AI can also contain embedded raster images.
You can ask for AI, EPS or PDF, but to be sure they are 100% vector, they have to be opened and examined. Or you can zoom to maximum in for example Acrobat Reader and check each element of the artwork.
I'd stay away from "vector" Photoshop exports like PDF and EPS.

will7 · Aug 11, 2006

Yeah, that is true, they can contain raster images, but, in a logo this would not be expected. You have a higher chance of a .ai image being vector than a .psd :lol: A lot higher chance

Dan · Aug 12, 2006

I would use Illustrator more if I could figure out to add color with it. :/

As far as I'm concerned making vectors in Photoshop is just harder than it needs to be since you can only do it with the pen tool.

If they just merged them into one tool, that would be an amazing app.

FreakyDeakyD · Aug 12, 2006

I don't think you can merge Photoshop and Illustrator since the primary engine are based on two differtent techniques (Bitmap & Vector). I just thought it might be possible to export bitmap with vector information (shapes) with losing a lot of information. I've had a design made by a designer and he first gave me the psd eps en pdf files, but they didn't look completely vector. Since I don't have Illustrator, how should I be able to check if the .ai file he gave me later is a truely vector design?

will7 · Aug 12, 2006

Download a trial version of Illustrator?

And Dan, adding colour in Illustrator is simple! Check out some of the tutorials (www.pixel2life.com) I'm sure I remember there being one for beginners on that site.

dvirhazout · Aug 13, 2006

WILL7- try to do someting with pentool in photoshop save it as pdf open in illustrator and then save it as .ai/.eps and then tell me if it's the same or not.
I talked with some printers and experts and thay said the same as I said...

will7 · Aug 14, 2006

I never said that the Pen Tool was not vector, what I am saying is that Photoshop was never designed to be a vector program. Granted, it can do limited vector work, but this was not it's purpose and therefore it will never be as effective at vector design as a vector-focused program such as Illustrator or CorelDRAW, for instance.

Go talk to your printers and experts and ask them what's better for vector design, Photoshop or Illustrator and see what they say

The fact is that Adobe made Illustrator as a compliment to Photoshop to give graphic designers the ability to cover a wide range of mediums in just two programs - if Photoshop could make full vector images, then what is Illustrator's purpose?

ashu@webnewtons · Aug 14, 2006

Can Photoshop make true vector files?
Answer is no, dam sure about it.

Can you product a true vector format file when designing in Photoshop. Will a printer except you .eps and .pdf export from Photoshop for printing?
Answer to this is also same but, a bit confused.

dvirhazout · Aug 16, 2006

will7 said:
I never said that the Pen Tool was not vector, what I am saying is that Photoshop was never designed to be a vector program. Granted, it can do limited vector work, but this was not it's purpose and therefore it will never be as effective at vector design as a vector-focused program such as Illustrator or CorelDRAW, for instance.

Go talk to your printers and experts and ask them what's better for vector design, Photoshop or Illustrator and see what they say The fact is that Adobe made Illustrator as a compliment to Photoshop to give graphic designers the ability to cover a wide range of mediums in just two programs - if Photoshop could make full vector images, then what is Illustrator's purpose?

I know photoshop is not a filly vector program but photoshop can create vector files id you know how to use it.
to the printers it doesn't mather if its made by photoshop or illustrator. If the file that you give him its vector it doesn't mather.

will7 · Aug 16, 2006

The question was "Can Photoshop make true vector files" to which the answer is "no". Nothing was mentioned about printers :lol: Anyway, I think we can all agree that Photoshop will never be fully vector, the finer details are not really that relevant and everyone will always have their own opinion on what program is best and for what purpose

dvirhazout · Aug 16, 2006

will7 said:
The question was "Can Photoshop make true vector files" to which the answer is "no". Nothing was mentioned about printers :lol: Anyway, I think we can all agree that Photoshop will never be fully vector, the finer details are not really that relevant and everyone will always have their own opinion on what program is best and for what purpose

Agree. :hehe:

FreakyDeakyD · Aug 16, 2006

Well, actually you are both answering my questions. I want to know if Photoshop can make a true vector file and I want to know if the vectorLIKE file that Photoshop produces are ok for a printer to use.

will7 · Aug 16, 2006

Well, I'm not a printer expert but I would think that yes, they are OK but it is always best to go for a fully vector file from Illustrator rather than Photoshop

Hemisphere · Aug 22, 2006

Illustrator is pretty good, the only thing I don't like about it that you can't make as much detail in a image, but with photoshop you could and Photoshop is easier to use.

FreakyDeakyD · Aug 22, 2006

Hemisphere, this is not what the topic is about. It's not the question if PS is better than AI. It's about designing stuff for print (so vector) and using PS to make the printable files.

Zombie · Aug 26, 2006

most printers have different specifications as of what files they accept. you should check with your printer beforehand

paaaaaaaaaa · Aug 28, 2006

Simple Photoshop vector graphics will print fine just as good as an illustrator. When I say simple though I mean simple. Outlines with solid fills only, the gradients in photoshop are bitmap so it will not resize.

Varelse · Aug 31, 2006

paaaaaaaaaa said:
(...) the gradients in photoshop are bitmap so it will not resize.

If you use layer style (Gradient Overlay), the gradients will resize

Other effects are not "scalable".

TeviH · Sep 10, 2006

There is lots of crossover betwen different Adobe software packages; it's how they work so seamlessly together. PS *can* make vector-ish files (you can definitely export paths to illustrator), and I often do this and create 2 versions of a logo - a bitmap and a vector file; one in ilustrator andone in photoshop (the ps one will have more detail and will be used for web, T-shirts or things like that).

CreatorKit.com · Sep 10, 2006

use Adobe Ilustrator for vector graphic

Can Photoshop make true vector files?

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