How to open vector AI or EPS files in Photoshop

Whether you are using a PC or a Mac, the process is similar; the only difference is you will use “Cmd” instead of “CTRL.” Thus said, let’s get straight to the point!

Open Photoshop, then go to File > Open… and select your vector file. We will need a test subject for this, so browse the Graphics library for a vector pack to practice with.

Unlike a regular raster file, the .ai and the .eps files will prompt you to input a file size before it will be opened. This step is very important because Photoshop will open the file as raster, not as vector or as a Smart Object (we’ll discuss this type of file a bit later).

I recommend you input a fairly large size; then you can scale it down without losing quality.

Now we have the full vector file converted to raster (don’t worry, you original vector file is intact!) and able to use it as raster.

If you just want a shape please use this tutorial.