Export Flexibility of Custom Shapes & Layer Styles?

CW
Posted By
Cian_Walsh
Aug 13, 2008
Views
970
Replies
0
Status
Closed
Over the past few years I’ve developed a workflow for icon creation that involves purely custom shapes and layer styles. This has been fantastic from a number of points of view

– Vector based workflow for easy scaling, resizing
– Easy maintenance of style coherence with layer style presets – Custom shape library means rapid prototyping of common elements

While this approach in Photoshop helps me rapidly develop icons, it’s now presenting some challenges from an export point of view. Specifically the path to vector based formats like svg and xaml is hindered by the fact that Photoshop and Fireworks/Illustrator don’t share a common layer styles approach. (Fireworks having a XAML export plugin and Illustrator having both XAML plugin and SVG export capability)

While the above programs are more geared towards vector work, they don’t offer the flexibility of Photoshop when it comes to creating photorealistic icons with texturing.
Is anyone aware of a method for exporting a vector element from photoshop while maintaing the editability of layer styles? (Exporting simple shapes in PDF works but falls down once masks and layer styles come into the equation)
Fireworks CS4 seems to import select PSD’s decently but there is not a 1:1 relationship between the layer effects from Photoshop. Illustrator seems to assume that anything coming out of Photoshop will be bitmap based and acts accordingly.

Any feedback or similar experiences would be appreciated.

Cian Walsh
www.afterglow.ie

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