ID3/4: Clipping Path of TIFFs selectable

Currently we are working with EPS files with clipping paths. These paths are - if not activated during import or in the menu - not selectable. If you have the same image as TIFF, clipping path is *always* selectable and can be modified (with direct selection tool). We want to avoid unwanted modification of the path, i.e. the same behaviour as EPS. Is that possible?
best regards,
Jörg

Kim
I don't think PSE4 has "clipping paths" per se; I've seen that referenced in posts about the full Photoshop CS2.
However, you can select the item using any of the selection tools. Why don't you start with the Lasso Tool? You can trace the outline of the ice cream (you'll see a series of "marching ants"). Anything inside the "ants" will be selected.
If you need to fine tune the selection, you can change to a small brush. Painting with the brush will add to the selection; painting while holding down the ALT key will shrink the edge of the selection. (easier to do than explain).
Once you get the area you like, you can do a Cntl+J and this will put the area selected (the ice cream) on a seperate layer.
Making clean selections takes a little practice but it is one of the key techniques in Elements.
Hope this helps-Ward.

Similar Messages

IDCS2 How to use Photoshop Clipping Path at TIFF import

For EPS-Import there are IEPSPrefs!
But how do i activate a Use-PS-Clipping-Path when importing a TIFF?

For EPS-Import there are IEPSPrefs!
But how do i activate a Use-PS-Clipping-Path when importing a TIFF?

Eps into flash8 from Freehand ignores clipping path

Hi,
Flash8 is seeing vector lines beyond the clipping path when
its exported as an eps from Freehand9 or MX.
I have a map with roads etc drawn in FH9, I have placed a box
over that part of the map I wish to export as eps and cut contents
then paste inside box. I now see just the map within the box.
Export as eps. (I do this all the time). Open it into photoshop, it
sees just out as far as the box border. No problem
However File >Import to Library in Flash 8 , then drag
drop to stage, sees all the artwork outside of the box, stuff I
don't want. No difference if exported as eps from MX. Trimming
hundreds of roads etc down to the edge of the box is impractical
for every eps I need to make, as I need to export each bus route on
the map as a separate eps, and there are many !
Envirographics

> I saved a Photoshop EPS CYMK image with a clipping path.
It imports into Adobe
> InDesign CS, but not into Freehand. All I get is a white
box.
> I just read here that Freehand will not accept EPS
files. How else to get the
> PS clipping path file into a FH document?
FreeHand will import eps images but while ID can read the
file and show it on screen FH can only use preview image i.e. low
resolution version of the image embedded in eps file. Otherwise FH
will show only the white box. It can be printed with PS printer or
exported as pdf but placing is of course difficult.
So you must save the eps with preview. But, the preview is
not necessarily 'clipped' and all the transparend areas have opaque
color. As memory serves FH support clipping paths in tiff files and
clipping is visible but there may be problems in printing.
You can also export the clipping path as Illustrator file,
import into FreeHand and paste a non clipped tiff image into it.
Using clipping paths is somewhat outdated now just as
FreeHand is.
I just finnished a book project which included removing
background from about 150 images. I used Photoshop mask layers and
imported images into InDesign as cmyk photoshop files. Since the
layer mask is a grayscale image edges can be fathered and the
result is way better than with a clipping path. In fact some of the
images had cliping paths but I converted them all into selections
and feathered layer masks.
Also some of the objects had quite shallow depth of field and
some areas were blurred. Removing background with clipping path
would have looked awful but I just used more feathering in these
areas the result was in fact very good.
Ability to use layered psd files is one of the reasons why I
quit using FreeHand and use Illustrator (and InDesign) now.
Jukka

Clipping paths not recognized (in InDesign)

Some of my coworkers brought me some files that don't allow the clipping path to be selected in InDesign. These images are saved as PSD format, have a good path drawn and saved. When placed in InDesign, the option to use the clipping path or not is not even available, and the image is not clipped by default. If I place a file showing the import options, I can turn on the path, and it places on the page properly. But invoking the Clipping options in InDesign still shows Photoshop Path as unselectable, but it is checked as it is turned on.
Saving the path as simply a regular path, or as defined as a clipping path, in an EPS file gives me the correct options to use the path in InDesign. Simply resaving the PSD file to another file on my desktop does not fix it.
Is there any way to see what is going on in the file? Though it manifests itself as an InDesigns option problem, the error is inside of the Photoshop file. There is no way to resave the same image document and have it work properly.
The only way for me to "fix" the file is to make a new doc the same size, copy the image, paste into new document, copy path, paste into new doc, and save as a new name. Then the "started from scratch" file works properly.
Anyone have any suggestions?

@WasDYP: It's only a couple of files so it's not something I'd think anyone could recreate really easily.
Here are the files that are having this problem:
ftp://ftp.clippermag.com/PhotoshopFiles/DAV44462.psd
ftp://ftp.clippermag.com/PhotoshopFiles/DAV44463.psd
ftp://ftp.clippermag.com/PhotoshopFiles/DAV44464.psd

Is there anyway to activate photoshop clipping paths automatically in CS4/5?

Hello,
Can a preference be set in Indesign to automatically apply the photoshop clipping path to Tiff images?
Cheers Joe.

You don't need to specify a flatness for indesign to pick up on that path, just need to set that it is the preferred path for an application to use. Paths aren't exclusively used for the purpose of knocking out a background or portion of a photo. You could google up device path flatness and you'll find a spiel something to the effect of set it quite a few pixels for very high res scans, fewer for low res. I believe it is just the tolerance for the application to use in interpreting which pixels to use. After all, a path is a vector outline and the application needs to determine how to cut the photo, which pixels to keep and which to exclude.
Short adobe word on it.
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/327/327368.html

Make a clipping Path while retaining it's appearance - script

This has been a long standing wish of mine, and I've devised this script that "kind of" works.
This script takes your selection, copies appearance attributes, and pastes them to the top object after clipping.
It's currently limited in a few ways:
• It does not accept compound paths as clipping object (and I don't know how to test for it, nor how to iterate down said compound clipping object to set each path object to clipping separately)
• It only works with a single stroke or fill
• It does not understand "no fill" it will fill your object with white instead *FIXED*
• I'm hoping to use the "graphicStyle" property to copy the appearance, since that sounds way cleaner. But I don't understand how to.
Even with these limitations, I bound this to CMD+7 using fastscripts - I'm *already* used to it working this way!
Carlos Santos, thank you for writing the base of what became this script
I'd be much obliged if anyone can help me out with any of those limitations / wishes.
#target Illustrator
// script.name = Clip Retaining Color.jsx;
// script.required = at least two paths selected, top most path is the clipping mask;
// script.parent = Herman van Boeijen, www.nimbling.com // 30/11/13;
// *** LIMITED TO A SINGLE STROKE AND/OR FILL OF THE CLIPPING OBJECT***
// Here's hoping to use the "graphicStyles" property to copy over the appearance.
if ( app.documents.length > 0 ) {
    idoc = app.activeDocument;
}else{
    Window.alert("You must open at least one document.");
var idoc = app.activeDocument; // get active document;
var sel = idoc.selection; // get selection
var selectedobjects = sel.length;
function ClipRetainingColour(idoc){
    var lay = activeDocument.activeLayer
    if(lay.locked || !lay.visible){
        alert("Please select objects on an unlocked and visible layer,\nthen run this script again.");
        return;
    var igroup = lay.groupItems.add(); // add a group that will be the clipping mask group
    var imask = sel[0]; // the mask is the object on top
    var clipcolors = [];
    //copy appearance
    if(imask.filled)     {clipcolors.fillColor = imask.fillColor;}
    if(imask.stroked)    {
        clipcolors.stroked = imask.stroked;
        clipcolors.strokeWidth = imask.strokeWidth;
        clipcolors.strokeColor = imask.strokeColor;
    for (var i = selectedobjects-1 ; i > 0 ; i--){
        var ipath = sel[i];
        ipath.move(igroup, ElementPlacement.PLACEATBEGINNING);
    imask.move (igroup, ElementPlacement.PLACEATBEGINNING);
    //enable clipping
    igroup.clipped = true;
    imask.clipping = true;
    //paste appearance
    if(clipcolors.fillColor)    {imask.fillColor = clipcolors.fillColor;}
    if(clipcolors.stroked)      {
        imask.stroked = clipcolors.stroked;
        imask.strokeWidth = clipcolors.strokeWidth;
        imask.strokeColor = clipcolors.strokeColor;
if (selectedobjects){
    ClipRetainingColour(idoc);

*FIXED IT* - it's working!
I bound this to CMD+7 using the excellent Fastscripts
My clipping paths will be so much more colorful from now on!
Yay!
#target Illustrator
#targetengine main
// script.name = Clip Retaining Color.jsx;
// script.required = at least two paths selected, top most path is the clipping mask;
// script.parent = Herman van Boeijen, www.nimbling.com // 07/12/13;
// *** LIMITED TO A SINGLE STROKE AND/OR FILL OF THE CLIPPING OBJECT***
// Big thanks to CarlosCanto and MuppetMark on the Adobe Illustrator Scripting Forums, and my pal Niels Bom for showing me the debugger (...)
if ( app.documents.length > 0 ) {
    var curDoc = app.activeDocument;
}else{
    Window.alert("You must open at least one document.");
var sel = curDoc.selection; // get selection
var selectedobjects = sel.length;
var clipobject = sel[0]; // the mask is the object on top
var clipcolors = [];
//var pathItems = [];
var container = curDoc.activeLayer;
//Only if there are objects selected
if (selectedobjects){
    if(container.locked || !container.visible){
        alert("Please select objects on an unlocked and visible layer,\nthen run this script again.");
    }else{
    ClipRetCol(curDoc);
function ClipRetCol(curDoc){
    //IF COMPOUND CLIPPING PATH
        if (clipobject.typename === "CompoundPathItem") {
            //copy appearance
            sel = curDoc.selection;
            clipobject = sel[0].pathItems[0];
            CopyAppearance(clipobject);
            //MAKEMASK
            app.executeMenuCommand ('makeMask');
            //Since making the clipping path changed the selection, set variable for selection again
            sel = curDoc.selection;
            clipobject = sel[0];
            clipobject = clipobject.pageItems[0].pathItems[1];
            PasteAppearance(clipobject);
    //IF REGULAR PATH
        else {
            //copy appearance
            CopyAppearance(clipobject);
            //MAKEMASK
            app.executeMenuCommand ('makeMask');
            //paste appearance
            PasteAppearance(clipobject);
}//ClipRetCol END
function CopyAppearance(clipobject) {
            if(clipobject.filled) {
                clipcolors.fillColor = clipobject.fillColor;}
            if(clipobject.stroked) {
                clipcolors.stroked = clipobject.stroked;
                clipcolors.strokeWidth = clipobject.strokeWidth;
                clipcolors.strokeColor = clipobject.strokeColor;}
}//CopyAppearance END
function PasteAppearance(clipobject) {
            if(clipcolors.fillColor)    {
                clipobject.fillColor = clipcolors.fillColor;}
            if(clipcolors.stroked)      {
                clipobject.stroked = clipcolors.stroked;
                clipobject.strokeWidth = clipcolors.strokeWidth;
                clipobject.strokeColor = clipcolors.strokeColor;}
}//PasteAppearance END

CS2 message: "Clipping Path Limited Reached for TIFF Preview"

I searched the forum and knowledge base and did not find answers than can help me with a message I received while saving my Illustrator CS2 .ai file to .eps file. The message said "Clipping Path Limited Reached For TIFF Preview". The file size is 500KB and is a chart of black and white symbols. The chart is 52 squares wide X 126 squares long, each square 1pt each.
I had split the chart into 2 separate files and the message appeared again before finishing the save to .eps format. I am running Wins XP and just recently upgraded to 2gig of memory.
Would anyone know what this message means? Any help is appreciated.
J.Chin "newbie"

I don't know exactly what that message means (or what one would have to do in Illustrator to get it to appear), but you might try saving without the TIFF preview. (Select "none" under the preview section when you are in the EPS options dialog box.)
A potential problem with that workaround (assuming it helps at all) is that some applications rely on the low-res TIFF preview for on-screen representation. EPS artwork with no preview, in such cases, will usually be represented by a nondescript placeholder box. Output to a PostScript device, however, will be unaffected.

Automate selection of Clipping Path?

I'm trying to create a droplet that will strip out the background of an image using the active Clipping Path regardless of the path's name (similar to the way InDesign automatically selects the active Clipping Path and ignores the other paths. So far I've only managed to automate the selection of a path by name, not by Clipping Path status. Many of the images I work with come from far off lands where they are not simply named "Path 1." Any ideas?

When you select your pen tool, look up in the options bar. There are four path types. You want the fourth one, which cuts out donut holes. You may be able to simply select the paths and change their type to whichever one will cut out the holes for you, (make them all exclude overlapping, or make the inner paths subtract) or copy/paste them into a new path that was created while the fourth pen tool option was selected.

Quick selection tool vs clipping path

what is better to silhouette an image? a quick selection tool with follow up detailing or a clipping path?

a path is very control-able and great for well defined edges. It can be used to create a selection, which can be made into a mask, which can be refined and edited with a quickmask among other tools. There is rarely ever a one shot solution. Usually a combination of tools and techniques are required.

Tiff images lose clipping path during export

Hello,
I've imported some tiff with embedded clipping paths from photoshop to lightroom. After an export these paths are missing in the tiffs. Is there a possibility to retain the paths in the tiffs?
regards, frank
using lightroom-1.4.1/macos

Unfortunatelly, LR doesn't work with layers or sellections done in PS. <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected].. > Hello, > > I've imported some tiff with embedded clipping paths from photoshop to > lightroom. After an export these paths are missing in the tiffs. Is there > a possibility to retain the paths in the tiffs? > > regards, frank > > using lightroom-1.4.1/macos

Clipping paths from magic wand selection

I've been looking through dozens of tutorials but even the one's that mention this they all assume you know how to do it. All I would like to do is turn a selection made using either the magic wand tool or the other selection tools/methods and turn that into a clipping path.
This is the selection i've made with the magic wand tool:
http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/9307/screen28qd.jpg
Also is their any way to turn a whole layers contents into clipping paths? For example I have that image on it's own layer with no background, could I turn everything on that layer into a clipping path?
Clipping paths for this kind of thing as far as i'm aware is the only way to import images into quarkxpress with no backgrounds.
thanks
sam

Hey Sam, if I'm not mistaken you simply have to make your selection, then select make "work path" from the Path window, next you save the path and then select "clipping path" from the Path window and select the saved path's name.
I would think this would work with layer selections as well.
Hope this helps...
Dan

Clipping path limit reached for TIFF Preview,

I'm just starting to get this message when saving a file I've been working on for a week
I'm not sure what's new in the file but I don't have ant TIFF's or any clipping paths in the file
CS3
Steve

Got this message this morning in a not very complicated or large file. It doesn't seem to affect anything. Anyone have any ideas what and why this is?

Create clipping path from selection

I'm driving crazy!
Why this script does not work?
tell application "Adobe Photoshop CS3"
tell current document
make work path selection
make clipping path (path item 1) flatness 0.5
end tell
end tell
The work path is created with no prob.
But the clipping one returns this error:
"The command »Define« is not avalaible"
What's wrong?

I've found the solution!
You have to name the work path to memorize it in order to be able to create the clipping path.
This is the code:
tell application "Adobe Photoshop CS3"
tell current document
make work path selection
set name of path item 1 to "Détourage"
make clipping path path item "Détourage" flatness 0.5
end tell
end tell

We need a script that will select clipping path for multiple images in indesign

this is what we have, but it's not working:
app.scriptPreferences.userInteractionLevel = UserInteractionLevels.interactWithAll;
app.doScript(resetAllClippingPathsToActiveDoc, ScriptLanguage.JAVASCRIPT, [], UndoModes.ENTIRE_SCRIPT, "Reset all Clipping Paths of the Active Document");
function resetAllClippingPathsToActiveDoc(){
 var d=app.activeDocument;
 var allGraphicsInDoc = d.allGraphics;
 for(var n=0;n<allGraphicsInDoc.length;n++){
 if(allGraphicsInDoc[n].hasOwnProperty("clippingPath")){allGraphicsInDoc[n].clippingPath.c lippingType = ClippingPathType.PHOTOSHOP_PATH};
 allGraphicsInDoc[n].clippingPath.appliedPathName = "Path 1";

this is what we have, but it's not working:
app.scriptPreferences.userInteractionLevel = UserInteractionLevels.interactWithAll;
app.doScript(resetAllClippingPathsToActiveDoc, ScriptLanguage.JAVASCRIPT, [], UndoModes.ENTIRE_SCRIPT, "Reset all Clipping Paths of the Active Document");
function resetAllClippingPathsToActiveDoc(){
 var d=app.activeDocument;
 var allGraphicsInDoc = d.allGraphics;
 for(var n=0;n<allGraphicsInDoc.length;n++){
 if(allGraphicsInDoc[n].hasOwnProperty("clippingPath")){allGraphicsInDoc[n].clippingPath.c lippingType = ClippingPathType.PHOTOSHOP_PATH};
 allGraphicsInDoc[n].clippingPath.appliedPathName = "Path 1";

Clipping Path vs Alpha Channel

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but wondering which is better for outlined images (no soft transitions, just hard outline.)
I've used both and don't see an advantage to either EXCEPT when converting an InDesign file to PDF. Files with PSDs with clipping paths seem to make much larger pdfs than same file using PSD with alpha channel. Not important for a final press file, but when I have to email screen proofs, then it's a big deal.
Anyone care to weigh in? Thanks.
Ringo

Hi, there,
I found this discussion during a search for alpha channels vs. clipping paths for clipping (for a job I'm working on), and thought I'd offer my own feedback based on my own experiences w/ similar files. I can't really offer a printer perspective, however, although we do work closely with many and also print film fairly regularly for local printers who are not yet Direct-To-Plate.
For what it's worth, I use paths, myself, and save the file as a TIFF. Then I use the Object: Clipping Path menu in InDesign to select the path (I don't specifically designate a path as an actual clipping path in Photoshop anymore, as sometimes an image will have more than one path to isolate different elements).
I find that alpha channels don't look very good when used in InDesign. They're just not that smooth/precise, in my admittedly limited use.
I've uploaded a quick sample to http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/Xiebinrui/Alpha_vs_Clipping.jpg -- it's pretty self-explanatory, but the left side shows the bottom of an image using an alpha channel created from the original clipping path (cmd-click on the path to create a selection and then click the "create channel" button in the Channels tab, which automatically creates an "Alpha 1" channel), with the original clipped version on the right. I've tried adjusting the threshold and tolerance in InDesign, but it just always looks bad.
I also haven't used the behemoth Photoshop EPS format since my QuarkXPress/Mac OS 9 days (even then, it eventually became possible to use TIFFs w/ clipping paths -- I could finally see my photo correctly instead of with the horrible Quark EPS preview).
Anyway, re: alpha channels, maybe it's just that I don't know the right way to use them, but they don't seem to be very smooth when importing into InDesign (I was working on a job yesterday and today for which I had to download hi-res images from the client -- many of which used alpha channels instead of actual paths, but they're used on white backgrounds in InDesign, so I just didn't use the channels).
So, anyway, I personally use and recommend paths (vector masks, as Artdirectorringo mentioned, seem to work fine, too) as opposed to standard pixel-based alpha channels, in general, if you're going to be placing the file into InDesign.

ID3/4: Clipping Path of TIFFs selectable

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for