More about PNG to SPI (Image converter)

PNG to SPI: Converting PNG Files to Photoshop Shapes (SPI) Format

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) and SPI (Photoshop Shapes) are two different image formats that serve distinct purposes. PNG is a widely used raster image format known for its lossless compression and support for transparency, while SPI is a vector format used in Adobe Photoshop to store scalable vector shapes. Converting a PNG to SPI is not a typical conversion, as the formats are fundamentally different—PNG being raster-based and SPI being vector-based. However, in some situations, you may want to convert a PNG to SPI in order to work with vector shapes in Photoshop. In this article, we will guide you through the process of converting PNG files to SPI format and explain why such a conversion might be useful for certain design projects.

What is PNG?

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a popular raster image format that supports lossless compression and transparency. It was designed as an alternative to the older GIF format, offering better image quality and more flexibility. PNG images support a broad range of colors (up to 48-bit color), making them ideal for images with complex details, gradients, and transparency effects. PNG files are often used for graphics, web images, and illustrations where high quality and transparent backgrounds are required.

One of the key features of PNG is its ability to support transparent backgrounds, making it a preferred choice for images such as logos, icons, and illustrations that need to be placed over other images or backgrounds without a visible border. Because PNG uses lossless compression, it ensures that no image data is lost during compression, preserving the quality of the image even after multiple edits or resaves.

What is SPI?

SPI (Photoshop Shapes) is a vector format used within Adobe Photoshop. It stores vector shapes, which are graphical elements that are based on paths, rather than pixels. These shapes are fully scalable and can be edited and resized without losing quality. SPI files are used to store reusable vector shapes such as logos, icons, and other graphical elements that require scalability for design purposes. Unlike raster images (like PNG), vector shapes retain their sharpness and clarity no matter how much you scale them, making them ideal for high-quality design work.

Vector shapes are essential in graphic design because they allow designers to create graphics that can be resized without worrying about pixelation or loss of quality. SPI format is designed specifically for use within Photoshop, allowing designers to store, access, and reuse shapes that can be easily manipulated and adjusted for different projects.

Why Convert PNG to SPI?

Converting PNG to SPI might not be a common task, but there are certain scenarios where this conversion can be useful. Here are some reasons why you may want to convert a PNG to SPI format:

• Vectorizing Raster Graphics: If you have a PNG image that you want to use as a vector graphic, converting it to SPI allows you to work with scalable shapes in Photoshop. This is particularly useful if you want to edit the graphic in a way that would be difficult with a raster image.
• Creating Scalable Icons or Logos: If your PNG contains a logo or icon that you need to scale for various design purposes (e.g., print, web, or mobile), converting it to SPI ensures that the graphic remains sharp and high-quality at any size.
• Reusability in Photoshop: By converting a PNG to SPI format, you can store the shapes in Photoshop and reuse them in future projects. This can save time in your design process, especially if you often need to use the same shapes or elements in multiple designs.
• Improved Editability: Vector shapes offer more flexibility than raster images. If you need to adjust specific elements of the PNG (such as changing colors, reshaping parts of the image, or resizing it), working with SPI files makes it easier to manipulate the graphic without losing quality.

How to Convert PNG to SPI

Converting a PNG file to SPI format is not a simple one-step process, as it involves converting a raster image (PNG) into vector shapes. This process typically requires the use of a vector editing tool like Adobe Illustrator to convert the raster PNG into vector paths, followed by importing the vector shapes into Photoshop for saving them as SPI format. Here are the steps involved in this process:

1. Open the PNG in a Vector Editing Program

The first step in the conversion process is to open the PNG file in a vector editing program such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. These programs are designed to trace raster images and convert them into vector paths:

• Open Adobe Illustrator (or your preferred vector editing software).
• Select “File” > “Open” and navigate to the PNG file you wish to convert.
• Click “Open” to load the PNG image into the software.

At this point, the PNG file will appear as a raster image, but you will be able to trace the image and convert it into vector paths using the software’s tracing tools.

2. Use Image Trace to Convert the PNG to Vector Paths

Next, you will use the Image Trace tool in Adobe Illustrator to convert the raster PNG image into vector paths:

• Select the PNG image in Illustrator.
• Open the “Image Trace” panel by going to “Window” > “Image Trace.”
• Choose an appropriate preset from the Image Trace options (e.g., “High Fidelity Photo” or “6 Colors,” depending on the complexity of the image).
• Click the “Trace” button to convert the image into vector paths.

Once the trace is complete, you can adjust the tracing options to refine the vector paths, ensuring that the resulting vectors match the original image as closely as possible.

3. Expand the Traced Paths

After tracing the image, you will need to expand the vector paths to create editable shapes. To do this in Illustrator:

• With the traced image selected, go to the “Object” menu and choose “Expand.”
• In the Expand dialog box, make sure to select both “Object” and “Fill” options, then click “OK.”

This step converts the traced paths into individual, editable vector shapes that can be imported into Photoshop.

4. Save the File as an SVG

Once you have the vector paths ready, save the file as an SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) file to prepare it for import into Photoshop:

• Go to “File” > “Save As” in Illustrator.
• Choose “SVG” from the file format options and click “Save.”
• In the SVG Options dialog box, choose the appropriate settings and click “OK” to save the file.

5. Open the SVG File in Photoshop

Now that you have the vector paths saved as an SVG file, you can open the file in Photoshop:

• Open Photoshop and select “File” > “Open.”
• Browse to the location where you saved the SVG file and click “Open.”

Photoshop will recognize the vector paths and import them as shapes. You can adjust the size and position of the shapes as needed.

6. Convert to Photoshop Shapes (SPI)

To convert the imported vector paths into Photoshop Shapes (SPI format), follow these steps:

• Right-click on the vector layer in the Layers panel.
• Choose “Convert to Shape” from the context menu.

This will convert the paths into editable vector shapes within Photoshop, which are now saved in the SPI format. These shapes can be resized, edited, and reused in future projects.

7. Save the File as a Photoshop Shape (PSH)

Finally, save the vector shapes as a Photoshop Shape (PSH) file:

• Go to “File” > “Save As” and choose the “Photoshop Shapes” format (.PSH).
• Give the file a name and save it to your desired location for easy access in future Photoshop projects.

Conclusion

Converting a PNG file to SPI format involves several steps, primarily because PNG is a raster format and SPI is a vector format. The process requires converting the PNG to vector paths using a tool like Adobe Illustrator, and then importing those paths into Photoshop where they can be saved as SPI files. By following these steps, you can turn raster PNG images into fully editable vector shapes that can be scaled without loss of quality, making them ideal for high-resolution design work. While this process may require several tools, it ultimately provides a powerful way to transform your PNG images into versatile, reusable vector graphics in Photoshop.