Using the Clipboard to copy between applications

You can often use the Cut or Copy command to copy selections between Photoshop or ImageReady and other applications. The cut or copied selection remains on the Clipboard until you cut or copy another selection.

In some cases, the contents of the Clipboard are converted to a raster image. Photoshop prompts you when vector artwork will be rasterized.

Note: The image is rasterized at the resolution of the file into which you paste it.

To change the Export Clipboard preference (Photoshop):

1. Do one of the following:
• In Windows and Mac OS 9.x, choose Edit > Preferences > General.
• In Mac OS X, choose Photoshop > Preferences > General.
2. Select Export Clipboard to save any Photoshop contents on the Clipboard when you exit from Photoshop. If you leave this deselected, the contents are deleted when you exit from the program.

To paste PostScript artwork from another application:

1. In the supporting application, select your artwork, and choose Edit > Copy. (See About file formats.)
2. In Photoshop or ImageReady, select the image into which you'll paste the selection.
3. Choose Edit > Paste.
4. (Photoshop) In the dialog box, select from the following options:
• Paste as Pixels to have the artwork rasterized as it is pasted. Rasterizing converts mathematically defined vector artwork to pixels.
• Paste as Paths to paste the copy as a path in the Paths palette. When copying type from Illustrator, you must first convert it to outlines.
• Paste as Shape Layer to create a new shape layer that uses the path as a vector mask.

Important: When copying artwork from Adobe Illustrator, Illustrator's default Clipboard preferences may prevent the Paste dialog box from appearing in Photoshop. Select AICB in the Files and Clipboard section of Illustrator's Preferences dialog box if you want the Paste options to appear when you paste the artwork in Photoshop.

5. If you chose Paste as Pixels in the previous step, you can choose Anti-alias in the options bar to make a smooth transition between the edges of the selection and the surrounding pixels. (See Softening the edges of a selection.)

Note: You can use the Matting commands if you have already merged data and are trying to re-extract the rasterized data. (See Removing fringe pixels from a selection (Photoshop).)