Paste Illustrator artwork as layers

The Layers paste option preserves Illustrator objects as editable layers in Photoshop. Vector shapes remain as shape layers, text as text layers, and clipping masks as vector masks when supported. Use this option when you plan to scale or extensively edit artwork. For content you want to treat as a single linked unit, use the Smart Object paste option instead.

Copy and paste Illustrator content as layers

Each Illustrator object appears on a separate layer in the Layers panel in Photoshop, which handles each object based on its type and supported properties.

How Illustrator objects transfer to Photoshop

Vector shapes and paths from the Shape or Pen tool in Illustrator convert to shape or path layers. Supported shapes include rectangles, rounded rectangles, ellipses, polygons, lines, and custom paths. Modify fills, strokes, and anchor points in the Properties panel.

Text objects become live text layers, preserving point text, area text, and text on a path. Edit text content, change fonts, and adjust character formatting through the Properties panel. If a text object uses fonts not installed in Photoshop, the text layer displays a missing font warning and uses a substitute font.

Clipping masks from Illustrator become vector masks. Photoshop creates a group with a vector mask applied, maintaining visual appearance and the ability to edit. Fills or strokes applied to the original clipping path are removed.

Objects with unsupported properties become rasterized pixel layers to preserve visual appearance. This includes shapes with gradient or pattern fills, objects with effects applied, symbols, and mesh objects. Complex files may trigger rasterization alerts.

Working with pasted layers

After pasting, each layer appears in the Layers panel in Photoshop with the same name it had in Illustrator. Shape layers and text layers remain editable. Select a layer and use the Properties panel to modify colors, strokes, and text formatting. Edit path layers with the pen and path selection tools.

For pixel layers, convert them to Smart Objects to apply non-destructive transformations or filters. Right-click the layer and select Convert to Smart Object. This preserves image quality during scaling or rotation.