Photoshop import options

Last updated on Sep 11, 2025

Move part of an image or design from Adobe Photoshop to Adobe Illustrator, preserving quality and layers, ensuring a smooth workflow.

When you open or place a Photoshop file with multiple layers, you can set various options in Adobe Illustrator.

Option	Description
Layer Comp	Specifies which version of the image to import if the Photoshop file contains layer comps. Select Show Preview to display a preview of the selected layer comp. The Comments text box displays comments from the Photoshop file.
When Updating Link	Specifies how to handle layer visibility settings when updating a linked Photoshop file that includes layer comps.
Keep Layer Visibility Overrides	Updates the linked image based on the state of layer visibility in the layer comp when you originally placed the file.
Use Photoshop’s Layer Visibility	Updates the linked image based on the current state of layer visibility in the Photoshop file.
Convert Photoshop Layers to Objects and Make Text Editable Where Possible	Preserves as much layer structure and text editability as possible without sacrificing appearance. However, if the file includes features Illustrator doesn’t support, Illustrator preserves the appearance of the artwork by merging and rasterizing layers. For example: Layer sets that use the Dissolve blending mode and all layers in clipping masks get merged into single layers. Adjustment layers and layers that use a Knockout option are merged with the underlying layers, as are layers that contain transparent pixels and use the Color Dodge, Color Burn, Difference, Linear Burn, Linear Dodge (Add), Vivid Light, Linear Light, or Pin Light blending mode. Layers that use layer effects may be merged. The specific merging behavior depends on the layer's blending mode, the presence of transparent pixels, and the layer’s blending options.Hidden layers that require merging are discarded. Note The Convert Photoshop Layers to Objects and Make Text Editable Where Possible option isn't available when you link to a Photoshop file.
Flatten Photoshop Layers to a Single Image and Preserve Text Appearance	Imports the file as a single bitmap image. The converted file retains no individual objects except for the document clipping path, if one exists. Opacity is retained as part of the main image but isn't editable.
Import Hidden Layers	Imports all layers from the Photoshop file, even hidden ones. This option isn't available when linking to a Photoshop file.
Import Slices	Preserves any slices that are included in the Photoshop file. This option is available only when opening or embedding a file that includes slices.

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