I need a faster way to move layers from PSCS4 to AICS3 and keep the transparency. Currently I am saving the layer as a png and then opening in illustrator but it is a time consuming process. If I simply copy and paste or drag and drop it adds the white background.

Thank You
Jerry

I'm quite curious how to do this aswell...
I recently started AI and I haven't figured it out yet how to use it (apart from text)

Transparant layers.. I don't know. PS is raster while AI is vector-based..
Not sure how to do this.

Well I just found that if you export layers to file you can drag and drop that file to AI and keep transparency. I am still looking for a faster way.

As far as I know there's no such thing as pasting (semi-)transparant pixels into Illustrator. If I need to export a single layer from a whole stack of layers into Illustrator I right click on the layer, choose duplicate layer, in resulting dialog I choose to copy to a new file and then save as psd. Next in illustrator I place the file with it's transparency. I agree there should be an easier way.

Are you using "place" when dropping them into AI? If so, it preserves the transparency.

PSC4 may give you the additional advantage of keeping your layers intact as well.

It will not place a psd layer at all but it will place a png.

Save your psd w/out background. Open Illustrator, draw a box and go to File/Place, find your psd.
I'm using CS2 at work, but I'm hoping CS4 will place all your layers.

*edit...ASK VOKARIS*

What Eve said
- save your layered file as PSD (test.psd)
- in Illustrator - File - Place - (test.psd)
- by default your original PSD will be placed as a linked file (see if in the "Place" dialog the link box on the left is checked)
- if you want to modify it, select the object and click on the 'Edit Original' button, which will launch PS, edit, save, AI will prompt you if you want to update the changes made to the linked file

Option 2 - if you want to move the layers around in AI and break away from PS, select the placed PSD and click the 'Embed' button. You'll get different options:
- use Layer comps (if you used any in the PSD)
- convert Photoshop layers to objects (I guess this is the option you want)
- flatten Photoshop layers to a single file

With the "convert Photoshop layers to objects" you retain the layer properties (transparency, mode.) You can ungroup the resulting object and move the layers around.

note: when I tried to transfer layers with blending options (drop shadows, etc.), AI flattened all the layers into a single object.

The above worked for a file generated in PS CS4 placed in AI CS4 and AI CS2.

Option 3 (if you want to insert your layers one by one)
- in PS - File - Scripts - Export Layers to Files

It doesn't place a psd layer, but it should be able to place a psd file. If not, there's something wrong with your AI installation.