Converting Projects

Convert? Whats that now?

So you are graduating about to lose access to all of the creative software you had for access to as a student like Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Rhino, etc. Well, most of those programs save design files in a proprietary format. For example, Photoshop files are saved by default as .PSD files, which are meant to work and open in Photoshop, but may cause issues or not open at all in other programs. Therefore, it is worth taking the time to convert your projects before you graduate into more universal file formats so you can access them in the future.

Its also worth mentioning here that there are other programs can open Adobe files, but with different levels of success. The suggestions below assume a program can not open the appropriate adobe file to emphasize the usefulness of converting to universal file types

Also, check out our software substitute page for free or low-cost recommendations on what programs you can use after graduation

Conversion File Types

Photoshop conversion

If you want keep your photoshop files editable, you will want to save them as .TIFF files with the "Save Layers" or "no compression" options. If you don't care about layers and just want to save the finished project as flattened image, save to .PNG for the best quality, or .JPG for the smallest file size.

The video below begins at a point that shows you how to save a tiff file, but you can watch the whole video to understand the concept of conversion better.

Batch convert files. It may be best for you to move all your photoshop .PSD files to one folder to take advantage of this conversion technique

List of software that will open PSD files*:

Photopea
GIMP
CorelDRAW
PaintShop Pro
IrfanView
Artweaver
Paint.Net
PSD Viewer

* psd files are one the more compatible Adobe file formats. Most other formats can not be opened by other programs

Illustrator conversion

Converting Illustrator .AI files to .SVG files are a bit trickier as there are a couple additional things to consider:

Text: If you leave text objects "as is" your .AI file, then it will remain editable as an .SVG.
- - However, if you are working on a different computer that doesn't have the font you originally chose, the font will be substituted which may or may not ruin your design.
  - If your text is set and doesn't need to be editable, then you will want to convert the text object into paths using "create outlines".
    - - Once you do this, you can not edit the text or font choice, so make sure its what you want.
Expanding Appearance: Vector shapes have both fill and stroke properties.
- - Strokes can get quite thick, to the point that they visually become more like shapes in and of themselves. To ensure that the visual quality stays the same once converted to .SVG, we may "Expand" or "Expand Appearance" to convert the stroke path into an actual vector shape with volume.
    - - In doing so, you will no longer be able to change the stroke thickness so make sure its what you want.

The video aboive demonstrates how to create outlines, expand appearances, and save illustrator projects as .SVG files

The video above gives a useful in-depth explanation in how Expand and Expand Appearance work

Premiere (also after Effects) conversion

Introduction

Unfortunately, there is no real universal file type for video editing that is easy to use because it is what is known as non-destructive editor. Non-destructive editing means that the software links to and references the media files on your computer rather than editing them directly. While this allows you to keep your original media files safe from harm, it means that the native .PRPROJ file from premiere is just a set of instructions. Without the original media files to reference, it is not a useful file.

Below is a useful video to explain how programs like Premiere link to original media files.

What can you do?

Export finished copies of your video project.

- You won't be able to "edit" but you will be able to see and share your work.
- The most universal file formats right now are .MP4 and .MOV. Here is an article explaining video file formats
- This video goes over how to easily export video projects made in Adobe Premiere

Audition (and DAW) Conversion

Similar to the issues with Premiere conversion above, Audition is a non-destructive editor, and it can't be converted. Your best options are to export your finished project as a lossless file type such as .WAV or .AIFF. Here is an article explaining some audio format options

You can also export each track in your audition track separately and then bring those into a different audio editor to replicate your project

3D File Formats

Most 3D modeling and animation softwares have proprietary formats, but the 3D world also has alot of useful and different universal file types. Below are just a few of the 3D formats out there and what each is best suited for:

.STL

good for 3D printing
contains just the mesh
no material or texture
multiple objects exported in the same STL file will produce a single mesh

.OBJ

good for 3D printing
good for singular digital assets brought into VR/AR or gaming
contains a mesh
can contain material and texture as well

.FBX

good for gaming engines/VR
can have multiple distinct objects
acts as a package for entire scenes
can contain meshes, materials, textures, lights, cameras, and animations

.DAE

Very similar to FBX
highly compatible across gaming engines and softwares
More "open" than FBX though FBX seems to be used more frequently in industry.

.GLB

Best for VR/AR applications on mobile
full package can contain meshes, materials, textures, lights, cameras, and animations
small file sizes meant for mobile devices
has more resolution restrictions than other formats