EPS files, or Encapsulated PostScript files, are vector image files used by graphic designers and printers. EPS files can be created in drawing programs such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW, and can be placed into other applications such as Adobe Photoshop for further editing.
While Photoshop is primarily a pixel-based program, it does have some vector editing capabilities. However, these capabilities are limited compared to a dedicated vector program like Illustrator.
When you open an EPS file in Photoshop, you’ll see the “Place” dialog box. This dialog box gives you some options for how the file will be placed into your Photoshop document.
You can choose to link the file or embed it. If you choose to link the file, any changes made to the EPS file in Illustrator will be reflected in the placed image in Photoshop. If you choose to embed the file, no changes made to the original EPS file will be reflected in Photoshop.
Once you click “Place,” the EPS file will appear on its own layer in your Photoshop document. You can move and scale the placed image just like any other layer.
If you double-click on the layer containing the placed EPS file, you’ll open up the “Layer” dialog box. Here you can change the layer’s name and blending mode, and adjust its opacity.
You’ll also see a checkbox labeled “Clipping.” When this checkbox is selected, anything outside of the placed image’s bounds will be hidden.
To edit an EPS file in Photoshop, simply select the “Pen Tool” from the Toolbar. Then click on the edge of the placed image to create anchor points.
These anchor points act like handles that you can use to distort the shape of the image. To delete an anchor point, simply hover your mouse over it until you see a minus sign (-), then click on it.
You can also use Photoshop’s “Type Tool” to add text to an EPS file. Just click anywhere on the image with the Type Tool to create a text layer, then type away. You can change the font, size, and color of your text just like with any other text layer in Photoshop.
Can You Edit an EPS File in Photoshop?
Yes, you can edit an EPS file in Photoshop, but there are some limitations to consider before doing so. First of all, because Photoshop is primarily a pixel-based program, its vector editing capabilities are limited compared to those of a dedicated vector program like Adobe Illustrator. Secondly, if you place an EPS file into Photoshop and make any changes to it, those changes will not be reflected in the original EPS file—unless you choose to link rather than embed the file when placing it into Photoshop.
