EPS and Flattening

Hello,
I'm a longtime Freehand user trying to come up to speed on Illustrator's flattening feature.
Using Illustrator CS2 I've created an EPS file that will be imported into Multi-Ad Creator 'Professional' document for newspaper printing.
I've examined my EPS with Illustrator's 'Flattener Preview' palette for transparent objects and it hilighted a softdrop shadow and an PSD file that contains transparency.
Do I need to be concerned that these hilighted areas shown in the preview will not print?
If so, what can I do besides rasterizing them in Photoshop and re-importing then into Illustrator.
In the past, I had trouble with a similar project where someone used my Illustrator PDF in Quark 5.
I've been reading this site and still trying to catch on...
Thanks.
EB

Check what PDF the newspaper is able to accept. Our newspaper only accepts Acrobat version 4 which does not accept transparency. I have to rasterize or convert effects to rasterize before placing the images again or making PDFs. I don't know what version Quark5 accepts but from memory I think it's v4 without transparency too.
For newspaper and magazine standard settings (Australia) see this link: http://www.3dap.com.au/
PDF settings to download: http://www.3dap.com.au/3dapv2.htm

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Issues with Importing and Flattening Complex AI files (Flash CS3)

Is there an easy way to break apart vector graphics imported
from Adobe Illustrator? My group creates most of the graphics in
Adobe Illustrator and then we import them into Flash to animate
them. Unfortunately, with layers and layers on complex drawings,
Illustrator 3D, clipping masks, compound paths, etc... Flash tends
to choke. If we take the time to break the graphics apart to a flat
drawing, it drastically improve speed, and shrinks the file size of
the resulting swf. Currently we distribute everything to layers,
break then, and repeat. If there are clipping masks, then we have
to enter each clipping group movie clip and delete the mask one by
one to continue breaking the image apart. It's very time consuming
and reduces our workflow. Is there a better way?
Thanks in advance....

So far, I'd like to report on 3 different solutions to this
problem:
1. Flattening the image in illustrator, by first, expanding
any 3D objects (usually a good idea to preserve the original 3D
either in another file -- keep the original), flattening the
artwork, then release the clipping masks and compound paths, then
ungrouping everything, and saving the resulting file (Preferably as
a new file to keep all the original in case it needs to be adjusted
later). Then import to flash and break it apart.
Known Issues: Sometimes, pieces of the Illustrator 3D objects
will move to the front when you release the clipping masks. You can
move them back in illustrator or flash to correct the problem.
2. Export the file from illustrator directly to a swf. Then
drag that swf into the library and flatten the file from there.
Known issues: The generated curves are approximated and don't
always match up perfectly.
3. Export the file from illustrator to a EPS file format,
then drag the resulting file into flash.
Known Issues: The generated curves don't always match up to
the original and some 3D pieces may end up in front that belong in
the back.
4. Export as a raster file.
Known Issues: You cannot zoom in tight when needed and still
maintain the crisp lines (unless you rasterize at a very high
resolution. This will unfortunately result in a large file size.
The most accurate method for preserving original quality so
far is the original method from the originating post.

Transparency and flattening

I'm using AI CS3 on PC. I've been given an EPS file that was apparently created in AI 11 on Mac. It has no preview (at least not that will show up on PC).
I opened the file in AI to save it with a preview. When I do a Save As, AI says:
"When spot colors are used with transparency, changing them to process colors outside of Illustrator can generate unexpected results."
Does this mean I need to change all of the spot colors in the file to CMYK? The file has been used as-is in the past apparently with no repercussions.
Then AI says:
"The document contains artwork that requires flattening."
What should I do? I find the whole business of transparency and flattening confusing.
I COULD just use the original EPS file as-is, but I really hate not having a preview.
FWIW, the EPS will be used in an existing Quark file.
TIA,
Marlene

The first message is just a warning. If you intend to keep the spot color(s) on press, there should be no conversion to process involved. If there is going to be a conversion down the line, you're better off dealing with it within Illustrator. That's what the warning is trying to tell you.
My guess with the second message is that it has to do with the improved transparency flattening options in newer versions of Illustrator. The document uses transparency, and that means flattening is required (because PostScript does not support transparency).
I would just let Illustrator do its thing and save out your new EPS with the Windows-compatible preview. If the file was used in the past without problems, you probably don't have to do anything within Illustrator. However, if you see a lot of transparency features in use, you might want to flatten more aggressively, even if that means further tipping the balance away from vector toward raster and ending up with a larger file.
The preview really won't tell you much (other than position) once in Quark, so make sure you output a proof -- at least to Adobe PDF. Check to make sure each spot color in your Illustrator file goes to its own 'plate' out of Quark.
Recommended reading: http://www.layersmagazine.com/illustrator-render-photoshop.html

Save as EPS and maintain layers?

Hi,
Is it possible to save a .psd file as a .eps and maintain the layers? When I convert the file to EPS, the layers are merged. I don't see an option in the "Save As" process that would prevent this from happning. Thanks!

OP - here is a thought.
First, a Photoshop PDF with transparency is acceptable for InDesign. But many people want a flattened format to place in older programs such as Quark 6, or Pagewrecker.
They often use EPS. Photoshop will outline all fonts in the EPS output. Also with EPS you do not have a dual file format, so you must save a copy. These are two fundamental differences between Photoshop EPS and Photoshop PDF.
Here is another option if you need flattened output, but you still want the PSD info wrapped in a single file.
Save as Photoshop PDF, layers checked.
Select "PDF/X-1a" preset. By the standard, choose "None", When you do this "Photoshop Editing Capabilities" should default to enabled (if not, enable it)
When you save in this fashion, you are saving a flattened PDF output with vector data for other applications, but you also retain the native Photoshop file. This file can be opened for editing in Photoshop and can also be opened for evaluation in Adobe Acrobat.
Please, please be wary of Photoshop fonts. The fonts are embedded subset in the PDF, but sometimes you encounter glyph width errors when preflighting the PDF in Acrobat.
Photoshop has vector capabilities, but these capabilities are half - baked. Each and every font glyph becomes a clipping mask for pixel data. Not an ideal construct. For some RIPS, Photoshop fonts can blow up like dynamite.
I'm not trying to discourage utilizing Photoshop vector. But if possible, set your type in InDesign or Illustrator, it's safer in the long run.

The difference between photoshop eps and illustrator eps

Before installing snow leopard, Quark Xpress could distinguish between photoshop eps and illustrator eps files when a file needed to be modified. Now all it does is open files in only one item of software (depending on which you have told it to open files in). It's very inconvenient
Anyone got any ideas?

It sounds like you may have assigned EPS files to open in a particular app. That causes anything ending in .eps to open in that app, and the OS ignores the rest of the UTI (Uniform Type Identifiers) data.
About the only way to fix it is to clear the LaunchServices database. Close all running applications. Open the Terminal and copy/paste the following line and press Enter:
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchSe rvices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user
Close the Terminal and immediately restart. The OS will build a new database based on the installed applications. EPS files created by a particular application should now open in that app.

Spot Color mismatches between EPS and PDF files

Recently I created a file in Illustrator CS6 with several Pantone color swatches. I used the CMYK color mode set to the Coated GRACoL 2006 color space. I saved the file as an EPS and we printed our test samples on our large format printer. After reviewing the print I saw the colors were off. The grey color showed up green.I then opened up the exact same EPS file and simply saved it as a PDF. We ran the PDF on the same printer, using the same material and profile and the color was completely different. This time the grey colors came out grey (correctly). We tested this twice and came up witht he same color differences between the EPS files and the PDF files. Why would an Illustrator file produce 2 different colors if saved as a PDF versus an EPS?
Also, I sent these files to another prepress person in our company and he printed them on our proofing printer. The EPS printed slightly differently than the PDF. He then opened the PDF file in Acrobat and saved it out of Acrobat as an EPS. After this, he printed the new EPS file created from Acrobat and it printed the exact same as the PDF file (correctly).
This leads me to believe that the problem is in the way Illustrator saves EPS files. Has anyone else seen this problem?
Thanks for any and all help with this very perplexing issue.

I will speak from CS3.
The current PDF format if 1.7 exported out of Photoshop supports vector elements as independent objects, but you can't edit them correctly out of Acrobat because Photoshop reads the data as a flat file and drops the vector data. Basically the workflow is not finished being developed. Also, Transparency is broken within the PDF file format at this time. It will support Spots though correctly.
PSD and TIF support Transparency and Spots, but vector objects are rasterized due Acrobat reading the flat version of the file.
When Photoshop wrote its own PDF format and not the corporate PDF flavor that we now have, PDF's would support Transparency correctly.
I would assume that Transparency and vector objects would be addressed in the next release, but that is to be seen.
There is no best practice except don't do it.

InDesign exporting to PDF - .eps and .ai color issue

I've been reviewing a lot of help forums and have played with a lot of solutions and can't seem to fix this one.
With no updates or changes to my usual settings I've noticed an issue with my company logo when I export to PDF from InDesign CS6. Once I open the PDF all images and color spaces look fine, but the logo is muted, as if I set the opacity to 60-70% before exporting.
It happens with both EPS and AI files. It does NOT happen when I place the logo as a JPEG, but I need transparency and quality on these PDFs. Don't say PNG please, same issue with quality.
I don't understand how it changed when I changed nothing.
Any guidance would be appreciated, and I know I couldn't have possiblty provide a complete set of variables, so let me know wheat else would be helpful.

Thanks for both your responses. It appears that everythign in the original logo file and InDesign file are accurately set up. I've explored any back corners to see if something is off, but it all reads the same space/model/mode.
I've inserted an exported image to show the issue. The file formats from top to bottom is: AI, EPS, JPEG, PNG
Any other ideas?

When I add a watermark and flatten the transparency, it duplicates the file within the file.

When I add a watermark and flatten the transparency, it duplicates the file within the file. (a 105 pg file becomes 210pgs)

After doing so, use the Save As command to save the file under a new name.
This should optimize it and reduce the file's size, sometimes dramatically.

Optimization and flattening

I am a fairly new user to Adobe and was wondering how to optimize and flatten a pdf using Acrobat Standard XI?

These are Acrobat Pro things. (Probably. "Flattening" means at least three entirely different things, so you can let us know exactly what you mean).

How to save mac compatible ai eps and pdf on windows

how to save mac compatible ai eps and pdf on windows

haykaz,
You can, but there may be no need. There is, or at least may be, a certain deterioration in appearance when you outline fonts, especially in connexion will small point sizes.
Rereading, I noticed the PDF part. Normally, the fonts are embedded in PDF and thereby platform independent.
Have you tried and found any issues?

Saving logos as jpg, eps, and png. What mode do I create each in? RGB or CMYK?

Question... My client has asked for their logo as a JPG, EPS and PNG. They want a file ready to go, so they can fire off logos to whomever for whatever purpose.
The Pantones are selected. My question, what mode do I create each format (jpg, eps, png) in? CMYK or RGB? Or do I create a CMYK and RGB of each for each format? (The more I know, the less I understand)

Wow, thanks for your input. I also spoke with a printer with whom I'm working on another job.
I think I've really over-complicated this, and here's all I really need to send them:
EPS: Pantone, CMYK, RGB (I have read EPS's are outdated, but she didn't have a problem with it. This way they can take the Pantone colors and try to replicate them as closely as possible)
JPG: Pantone, CMYK, RGB (per your earlier comments)
PNG: Pantone, RGB (Web usage)
PDF/X-4: Printer didn't have strong feelings on this format. She said the EPS would be fine. I'll still send it though.
Sound good? (I like affirmation)

Does Photoshop touch for Ipad2 support .eps and .cdr files ?

Does Photoshop touch for Ipad2 support .eps and .cdr files ?

Hi Contactketan,
These are not support file formats within Photoshop Touch. You could convert to .jpeg or .psd through Photoshop or Corel.
-Dave

Illustrator CS5 Not the Default for EPS and other Vector Formats

Hey everyone, the issue I'm haveing is not just with Illustrator, but sense I couldnt find a general CS5 forum, and Illustrator was the last CS5 application i noticed this for I'm hoping to find some answers here.
So on to the issue....
I have noticed that on other computers (Macs for sure) that Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver etc... are set as the default handlers of certain file types that are associated with each application, and as such, give each filetype there own little icons reflecting such.
However on my system (Windows 7 Ultimate x64) this does not seem to be the case. I can go in and set them as default manually, which I have done for the filetypes I use most frequently, but I do not get to enjoy the nice icons that made for each filetype, i just get a bland, default icon that is the same for every filetype.
Is there a way to fix this issue?
Thanks for you help.

Yes, I think i mentioned it before that I knew I could set the default app through Explorer (right clicking, going to "open with" etc..) but this doesn't let you use any of the custom icons that come with the adobe applications, it sets it as the default icon associated witht he particular application. I'll take a look in the properties when I get home but, but I think you may be referring to the "open with" dialogue.
Most applications like Firefox, iTunes etc.. have a button in there preferences menu to "set as default" for all file types they can open, however I don't see such an option in any Adobe applications except for bridge, and that doesn't seem to do anything.
Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 00:09:53 -0600
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Illustrator CS5 Not the Default for EPS and other Vector Formats
I believe in the properties pane for one of those files it will display the default app for opening such files and you can change it there as well and make it apply to all similar files.
>

Shrink the images ( .eps and 20 extensions)

Hi All,
I have a requirement in my project like, I have to shrink the images which are varies in size 100 KB to the 100 MB and files extensions are .jpg, .tif, .tiff and .eps and many more like 20 extensions
Need to
1) Shrink the images with specific width 4 inch and height 4 to 5 inch @ 300 DPI
2) re name the images in order with commonly first name same for all the images
3) save them only .jpg
4) color format should be converted to CMYK only
Please suggest me the tools to meet the above requirement, we are ready to buy the product which does support to above requirements.
Thanks & Best Regards,
Venugopala Narva
GE Healthcare Consultant
Vignette specialist
EPresence -eCommerce Support Team
[email protected]
Mobile : 0091 88868 66338

I doubt you truely want a CMYK JPG. Try opening one in Word.

EPS and AI formats

I have a number of .EPS and .AI graphic files I would like to use, and I'm hoping someone can recommend an Adobe product that will allow me to do this.
I also understand that Photoshop Elements no longer supports these formats; is this correct?

I have a number of .EPS and .AI graphic files I would like to use, and I'm hoping someone can recommend an Adobe product that will allow me to do this.
I also understand that Photoshop Elements no longer supports these formats; is this correct?

EPS and Flattening

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