Exporting Illustrator Layers to Photoshop

[momnotmrs]

I'm using Illustrator 10.0 and Photoshop CS2 Version 9.0.2. Does anyone else have problems exporting an ai file to a psd and keeping the layers? When I export, I check that I want to retain layers, although it does not permit me the option of Nested Layers, Compound Shapes, etc. I am not exporting from a CMYK to an RGB (CMYK to CMYK). Still, when I export, I only get one layer!
Can anyone think of what I'm doing wrong?

[Scott Weichert]

Illustrator's transparency features will cause the export to flatten layers to maintain appearance.

If you want all your layers to export you'll need to be certain that you aren't using any transparency, blending modes, or opacity masks in any of the Illustrator artwork.

For example, if in Illustrator you have a layer stack like this:
Layer 5 : Black to white gradient, set to "Multiply" blending mode.
Layer 4: Red Square
Layer 3: Green Circle set to 50% opacity.
Layer 2: Blue to white gradient set to "Overlay" blending mode
Layer 1: Yellow Triangle.

When you export you get:
Layer 5 + Layer 4 + Layer 3 + Layer 2 + Layer 1

Now, remove the "Multiply" blending mode on layer 5.
You should get:
Layer 5
Layer 4
Layer 3 + Layer 2 + Layer 1

Remove the 50% opacity of layer 3, you should get:
Layer 5
Layer 4
Layer 3
Layer 2 + Layer 1

and so on.


You can always add your opacity setting back in Photoshop once the layers have been exported.

[The Repro Kid]

In Addition, setting an Overprint will also flatten layers.