Possible bug in Clipping Path - weird behaviour

I've got a bunch of images with clipping paths. All the same size. They're all book covers from a series.
Well I applied a clipping path to all of them.
Some when placed into InDesign will place fine with the clipping path applied.
Others will not - and the only difference I can see is that:
The images that import with the clipping path applied - in Photoshop they are as Layer 1 and a Background Layer
The images that import without a clipping path applied - in Photoshop they are flattened.
Is that the same behaviour for everyone else - would you consider it a bug?
InDesign CS5 - Fully Patched
Photoshop CS2 - Fully Patched
Photoshop File Type> TIFF

Yeh I can apply the Path after placing - Jongware wrote me script to apply the photoshop path.
But I just think it's odd behaviour.
On most of them that are flattened - there is no option to Apply the Photoshop Clipping Path - it's greyed out.
Then on the ones with layers - the option is selectable.

Similar Messages

Possible to export clipping path from InDesign CS5?

I ran into a minor problem. We just upgraded from CS1 to CS5 in our company and at the moment we're quite happy about the change to the more "modern" (if you are getting my hints here).
Anyhow, before the new install of Adobe CS5 I just recently asked our IT-guy to reformat my pc and re-install Win XP again. I did this so I could start from scratch and eliminate most common pc-errors in the near future (I took over this pc from someone else some time ago who used and installed stuff on it which I didn't know about nor needed).
Most of my data and files were backed up and re-installed. However, to my great horror I just realized that some of the linked image-files in an InDesign document containing A LOT of clipping paths are no longer listed as linked but missing. I checked and saw that these image-files weren't backed up at all.
Now the problem isn't getting back these images as I can quickly download and relink them from a number of databases.
However, these images were all painstakingly cut out in Photoshop by creating clipping-paths for each and every one of them and those clipping-paths are now lost with the deleted files.
If I check my InDesign file now I can see that every preview still retains the original cutpath from the original (but now deleted) Photoshop file. I have tried to mark this cutpath first, copy it and then tried to see if I could insert it back into an image-file that I opened in Photoshop but this didn't - at least for me - work out.
My question is now.., can these clipping-paths somehow be saved and re-imported back into Photoshop.
Any creative, ingenious, cumbersome and even crazy thoughts and methods are very, very welcome as I'd hate to sit down once more and spend hours of re-creating those paths.
Hoping on some bright brains out there... ;-)
Thanks for any help in advance.

You sir, are nothing short of a genius! :-)
The last solution is exactly what I was looking and hoping for. I realize that this will take some extra time and work but that's a small headache in relation to redrawing each of those clipping-paths. Now that would be a true nightmare as well as it would take much more time.
The clipping-paths are quite complex as they are drawn around images such as printers, mice, laptops, external harddisks, office-chairs, designer-furnitures (for office use) and the like since this is what our company sells.
So the solution you suggested works perfect. I am deeply, deeply grateful for your input and time and thank you very, very much for helping out in this time of despair. ;-D
If I can ever help you or anybody else with a good advice in return (I doubt I will know more than you but I can give it a try) please do not hesitate to contact me. I'd be most happy to do so.
Allow me to ask you..., are you a private person helping out or are you part of the Adobe-team since it seems that you are well acquainted with the programs and trouble-shooting?

Is it possible to apply path styles to live paint objects or clipping paths?

Hey everybody! I tried searching for the answer online, but couldn't find what I was looking for...
I want to create an illustration with black outlines. Within these outlines I want to have some spots without outlines that stay clean within the lines. I have tried 3 options so far and have found a solution but it's far from ideal.
1. Create clipping masks for each element that has a spot on it and assign a stroke to the clipping path again after. However by creating the clipping path, the path styles dissapear. In this case I want to keep the pointed ends to the open path outlines (see top image).
2. Draw in the lines where the spots are and create a live paint object of the entire illustration. Then paint in the spots and other areas. However when I create this live paint object the lines again lose their applied styles and even 'end' at each intersection, creating nasty edges where the lines should go 'underneath' smoothly (see bottom image).
3. The option Im using now. Duplicate the path outlines and create clipping masks for the spots without strokes. Then put the stroked outline with the desired styles on top. The problem with this is that I have almost twice as much elements in my illustration now than I actually 'need'. And the styled outlines are not connected with the color underneath, so its very easy to accidentally move something around...
Does anybody know of an easier way to create this effect without all the hassle? Thanks in advance for you time!

I drew the dark beige shape by pasting a copy in front of the black stroke with light ebige fill. Used the pencil tool to redraw the bottom edge. Then fixed the leaks byusng a blending mode of darken.
I try to keep my illustrations simple using the fewest paths possible, to make future edits easy. Live paint creates a mess, so never use it as I like to control my compound paths and masks.

Is it possible to move/resize individual objects in Compound Clipping Path in Illustrator?

Hi,
I have created a Compound Clipping Path in Adobe Illustrator, and wonder if there is a way of moving/resizing individual objects in this path that create the mask? At the moment when I try to change just one object it changes them all.
Essentially I am try to make fine adjustments to the mask.
Thanks in advance for any help,
Nick

Adobe updated masks in CS4, which has made to editing inidividual contents within masks more difficult, especially more complex masks (eg: nested)
When you select a mask now you select the mask and the contents. 5 ways to help you select the elements within the mask:
To get into the contents to edit them use the "Edit Contents" button (the 2nd one in the top left).
Flip down your layers palette triangles, to try and make selections there
Individually select items with the hollow arrow tool or group select tool, and hide them, then unhide to have the sum of the elements selected.
Save back to CS3 and work in CS3
Isolation Mode (though that mode is preferred disabled by many users)
Be careful as if you ever release a mask, this can entirely mess up your layeringorder on occasion, and undo won't help. Save before releasing a mask, sometimes you can undo, sometimes undo will not be abel to reconstruct you layer order.

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.

How do I save a clipping path in Photoshop so that Quark gives me the option to change the path opti

I created a clipping path on a photo, clipping out a person's head so that I can have the person's head show up over the masthead on a cover.
But when I save the photo in Photoshop and then import it into Quark, the option where it says I can change the clipping options in Quark is greyed out.
This is what it says to possibly fix it on the Quark help page:
"You may want to choose "None" from the Clipping path pop-up menu when you save the image from Adobe Photoshop, so you can specify which path to use as the clipping path when you import the image into QuarkXPress. Or, you may want to choose a path from the Clipping path pop-up menu, so you can be sure only that path will be used to clip the image."
I don't understand what that refers to....I can't find anything like that in the Photoshop options.
My goal is to have the person's head over the text, with the rest of the photo still retained in the background. As it is now, I just get an import of the clipping path alone, with Quark substituting the background part of the photo with a white box.
Thanks!

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HP LaserJet 400 MFP M425dn: bug in MTU path discovery, printer reboots via web interface

Firmware Datecode: 20121205
1. We can not access this MFU over VPN link. Otherer devices are accessed successfully.
As far as I understand there is an error in MTU Path Discovery.
tcpdump logs are attached.
Is there a way to change MTU of this device?
2. This MFU a reboots when I open page "Settings" of "Networking" submenu (/hp/device/set_config_networkSettings.html?tab=Networking&menu=NetSettings) if option "System" -> "System Setup" -> "Language" is "Russian". But this looks like a very good feature since I've have not found the way to reboot this printer remotely.
Here I was tring to access web interface over VPN (IPSec), 192.168.4.135 is IP of my comp, 192.168.160.200 - is IP of MFU, 192.168.160.254 is a gateway:
$ tcpdump -n -r printer-1.pcap
reading from file printer-1.pcap, link-type EN10MB (Ethernet)
17:20:29.337867 IP 192.168.4.135.54147 > 192.168.160.200.80: Flags [S], seq 2356029847, win 8192, options [mss 1460,nop,nop,sackOK], length 0
17:20:29.338026 IP 192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [S.], seq 614551948, ack 2356029848, win 8760, options [mss 1460,nop,nop,sackOK], length 0
17:20:29.344909 IP 192.168.4.135.54147 > 192.168.160.200.80: Flags [.], ack 1, win 64240, length 0
17:20:29.348488 IP 192.168.4.135.54147 > 192.168.160.200.80: Flags [P.], seq 1:304, ack 1, win 64240, length 303
17:20:29.348564 IP 192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], ack 304, win 8457, length 0
17:20:29.378872 IP 192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [P.], seq 1:513, ack 304, win 8457, length 512
17:20:29.379063 IP 192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], seq 513:1973, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
17:20:29.379100 IP 192.168.160.254 > 192.168.160.200: ICMP 192.168.4.135 unreachable - need to frag (mtu 1280), length 48
17:20:29.379103 IP 192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], seq 1973:3433, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
17:20:29.379135 IP 192.168.160.254 > 192.168.160.200: ICMP 192.168.4.135 unreachable - need to frag (mtu 1280), length 48
17:20:29.379251 IP 192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], seq 1:1461, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
17:20:29.379272 IP 192.168.160.254 > 192.168.160.200: ICMP 192.168.4.135 unreachable - need to frag (mtu 1280), length 48
17:20:29.379274 IP 192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], seq 1461:2921, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
17:20:29.379304 IP 192.168.160.254 > 192.168.160.200: ICMP 192.168.4.135 unreachable - need to frag (mtu 1280), length 48
17:20:29.379306 IP 192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], seq 2921:4381, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
17:20:29.379335 IP 192.168.160.254 > 192.168.160.200: ICMP 192.168.4.135 unreachable - need to frag (mtu 1280), length 48
17:20:29.379338 IP 192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], seq 1:1461, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
This is more detailed view on some packets.
$ tcpdump -nv -r printer-1.pcap
17:20:29.379063 IP (tos 0x0, ttl 64, id 1, offset 0, flags [DF], proto TCP (6), length 1500)
192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], cksum 0x7233 (correct), seq 513:1973, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
17:20:29.379100 IP (tos 0x0, ttl 64, id 62678, offset 0, flags [DF], proto ICMP (1), length 68)
192.168.160.254 > 192.168.160.200: ICMP 192.168.4.135 unreachable - need to frag (mtu 1280), length 48
IP (tos 0x0, ttl 64, id 1, offset 0, flags [DF], proto TCP (6), length 1500)
192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], seq 513:1973, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
17:20:29.379103 IP (tos 0x0, ttl 64, id 1, offset 0, flags [DF], proto TCP (6), length 1500)
192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], cksum 0x5edf (correct), seq 1973:3433, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
17:20:29.379135 IP (tos 0x0, ttl 64, id 62679, offset 0, flags [DF], proto ICMP (1), length 68)
192.168.160.254 > 192.168.160.200: ICMP 192.168.4.135 unreachable - need to frag (mtu 1280), length 48
IP (tos 0x0, ttl 64, id 1, offset 0, flags [DF], proto TCP (6), length 1500)
192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], seq 1973:3433, ack 304, win 8457, length 1460
17:20:29.379251 IP (tos 0x0, ttl 64, id 1, offset 0, flags [DF], proto TCP (6), length 1500)
192.168.160.200.80 > 192.168.4.135.54147: Flags [.], cksum 0x0c1c (correct), seq 1:1461, ack 304, win 8457,
P.S. This thread has been moved from LaserJets to Multifunction and All-in-One - HP Forums Moderator

John Getzke wrote:
Its hard to understand what you are trying to do or ask here. We have some offices connected via IPSEC tunnels. IPSEC interface's MTU is 1280 bytes (not 1500 bytes as Ethernet). All other devices successfully work over this VPN link. HP m2727 works. HP m425dn does not work. As a network administrator I've traced source of problem on all possible points and found that HP m425dn has a bug in the "Path MTU Path discovery" routine. The logs I attached shows that any packet of the TCP stream that the printer (160.200) sends to host (4.135) has "Don't fragment" flag set. According to IP standard the router HAVE TO discard the packet with DF flag set and size bigger then MTU since it can not pass a packet further without fragmentation - IPSEC MTU is 1280 bytes only while HP sends 1500 bytes. The router informs the printer about this problem with ICMP message Type: 3 (Destination unreachable) with Code: 4 (Fragmentation needed) suggesting MTU of next hop: 1280. The router does not communicate with the printer itself, it just informs the printer about network problem. According to IP standard the printer HAVE TO resend this data with the size of packet decreased according to suggested size. This is expected behavior of the Path MTU discovery routine. But the printer sends the packet again with the same size and DF flag set. The router again discards the packet and informs printer... This cycle repeats again and again until connection is closed due to timeout. Therefore "Path MTU discovery" routine is broken at this device. It would not be a serious problem, but the printer resends packets at rate over 28000 pps (about 40 MBytes per seconds) and its CPU is so heavily loaded that it even does not respond to touches on its touchscreen. So an innocent attempt to print document on terminal server located at another office leads to inaccessibility of the printer.
The network dump can be downloaded in PCAP format from here.

Error and weird behaviour in executable launch

Hello folks,
This post is regarding a weird behaviour i am experiencing with an executable i built.
LABVIEW version(Includes Runtime engine) LV2012 SP1 f3
DAQmx: 9.6.1
The behaviour is listed below in detail.
In a nutshell, the exectuable runs on the development computer but does not run on the Target computer. Also, Irresepctive of which PC i run the executable on, i cannot access the block diagram even after enabling debugging everywhere.
On the target PC, the app fires up but does not run further, no error codes appear on the screen, it's like the app freezes after firing up. And to add to the misery, i cannot access the block diagram to debug and know what's going on.
Also, I have tried including the dynamic vis to my build script. No bueno.
What I see on running the app is addressed below:
TARGET COMPUTER:
DAQmx 9.7 and LV2012 SP1 f4 RTE have been installed manually.
App does not run: No broken run button, the app launches but does nothing when the vi is run. No error messages.
The block diagram is still inaccessible, even after selecting the “Enable debugging” option in the build specifications.
DEVELOPMENT COMPUTER:
The app launches and runs perfectly.
The block diagram is still inaccessible, even after selecting the “Enable debugging” option in the build specifications.
DAQmx 9.7 and LV2012 SP1 f4 RTE were not installed as the app recognized the already installed Labview environment.
Additional steps that I have tried,
Created and ran only an executable on the target PC, the attempt was unsuccessful. The vi showed similar characteristics as mentioned above in the target PC section.
Created and ran an installer with additional install options(LV2012 f4 RTE and DAQmx 9.7)on the target PC, the attempt was again unsuccessful. The vi showed similar characteristics as mentioned above in the target PC section. No error messages.
Tried both the steps mentioned above on the development computer and the attempts were successful. .
To the best of my knowledge, I believe, the issue here is with the environment I am creating for the executable and the installer to run with/off of. After having carefully followed the installation procedure for the Run-Time Engine and the DAQmx drivers, I still do not know what I am missing.
Please advise.
Thanks guys,
RP.

Hey guys,
So, got the application to work. Almost.
The problem was that the executable was missing the hardware config from the Device.
Now, the new issue is as following:
The goal of the vi is to generate a report of the test conducted. So, the way the vi works is that, the second the vi is run, an empty word file is created with only the company logo,
Field headings, which are populated after the test is conducted.
The logo is a .jpg file, which has a relative path into the executable.
The field heading are String constants wired into a 'concatenate strings.vi' which are in turn wired to into the report generation vis.
What's happening is that when i run the app on the target pc, Only the logo appears on the word template. Even when i conduct the whole test and stop the vi, the results aren't populated in the word file. Which is a little weird.
Does any one know whats doing that?
Please refer to the attached word files.
Right - It is the file format desired.
Wrong - It is the file format achieved.
Please advise.
Thanks,
RP.
Attachments:
Right.docx ‏17 KB
Wrong.docx ‏16 KB

How do I show a clipping path on an image in Illustrator?

Hi there
I am a beginner when it comes to Illustrator and only use it when I have to - like now!
I was wondering - Is it possible to place an image into an AI file and show its clipping path? (that was created in Photoshop)
I have tried saving the image as a TIFF, PSD but no luck.
I have also attached a screen shot - just to show the image that has a path.
Thanks in advance.

I have placed the image but the 'Embed' option isn't highlighted so I can't click on this!
I think I have worked out another way to do this - I have saved the image on a transparent background in photoshop as a psd file and then when I place this in AI, the Photoshop Import options box appears and with this set to 'Convert layers to objects' it somehow
works! like so............ (probably not the best way to do it?!!)

How do I change the color of the clipping path in CS5

Just installed Photoshop CS5 I use the pen to create a clipping path for isolation. In CS4 the path line always contrasted with the background I was working on. In CS5 it is only gray so I cannot work on grey background pics as I cannot see the path. How can I change it back to multi colored like CS4?
In CS4 I could change between gray & colored by enabling or disabling OpenGL Drawing from Edit->Preferences->Performance. This does not work for me in CS5. I really need the color as I am isolating a dark gray bike againsr a lighter gray wall. I keep loosing the curve handles against the wall.

Which means that the wall isn't neutral gray, it has some color in it. Anyway, that's beside the point. In CS5 they've changed the way they display paths when OpenGL is turned off (probably changed to another API behind the scenes) which caused these problems. If i've understood it correctly, this isn't a bug per se, it's just a limitation of the API that they're using now (lack of blend modes or some such).
If you want the old way back then you can try making a feature request/bug report here: https://www.adobe.com/go/wish

CS2 clipping paths incompatible with CS3 indesign

Hi there
I need to use photoshop images with clipping paths that were created in photoshop CS2 in a indesign CS3 doc (working on a mac OS X 10.5.4). I import the image ok, the trouble is every time I try to activate the clipping path I get the spinning wheel of doom and the application stops responding.
The image opens up fine in CS3 photoshop, there only seems to be a problem with the path itself which I've tried copying onto other images which I know work and it does the same thing with them.
I used the image in indesign CS2 as a test and it worked properly, which is why I think the 2 packages are incompatible.... oddly enough, I'm using some really old images which were created before CS was a glint in the milkmans eye and they work perfectly.
Does anybody know a way around this, or indeed if this is a bug or something?
Thanks

It is a bug but Adobe fixed it.
If you want to use EPS files with clipping paths, that is fine, but be aware that there were problems that InDesign recovered from about 2 years ago. I wrestled through that time with many problems with clipping and have lots of documentation I never want to drag out again.
The thing is to have everything updated. Files that were saved will not be fixed by copying paths, you need to re-save the files in an up-to-date version of Photoshop by doing 'save as' to overwrite.
Sorry you're having this problem, it stinks but was remedied in updates. Try one file that you know doesn't work and do the save-as to see if that fixes it. Open and save in the latest CS3 version of course.
Get rid of your CS2 InDesign. Use CS3 only.

Possible bug? formatted number 0 displays as 4,294,967,295

This is really two questions in one. First, I have a routine
that sometimes provides a result of 0, which is *sometimes*
displayed in an AdvancedDataGrid column as 4,294,967,295, which I'm
assuming is somehow a meaningful number (largest int?). Anyway, I
have an ADG with a column defined as:
<mx:AdvancedDataGridColumn headerText="Remaining work"
labelFunction="rem_work_fmt" textAlign="right" />
The labelFunction called is shown below:
private function rem_work_fmt(item:Object,
column:AdvancedDataGridColumn):String
var num:String =
numberFormatter.format(item.get_remaining_work());
trace ("result: " + num);
return num;
The trace output prints: "result: 0" as expected, but the
number displayed in the grid is sometimes 0 and sometimes
4,294,967,295.
More weirdness, this only happens to the last column in the
ADG. I call the same format logic on a different column and have
never seen the wrong result. Also, the same underlying function
"get_remaining_work()" is called elsewhere on the same data and the
result is correctly displayed in a text field as 0.
Second question, I've run into some other possible bugs,
which I haven't reported because I found a work around. How does
one do that in the beta program?

lw1001,
Bugs can be filed in the public bug base at
http://bugs.adobe.com/flex/
You'll need to sign up before you can submit bugs.
Also, if you can attach the bug files to the bug report, it
makes it a lot easier for Adobe to investigate.
Let me know if you have any further questions/problems.
Peter

Converted clipping path to frame (InDesign CS2)

I am working with files where the person has converted clipping paths to frames for the images. I need to resize the images but it leaves a blank silhouette of the hollowed out space (where the image was) and a view in the background of the full image, including the background. I'm new to InDesign and need to find out how to resize these images or how to undo the convert clipping path to frame. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

How are you trying to resize the frames now? Try Pressing Ctrl + Shift BEFORE you click the mouse on a sizing handle and drag. (you shouldn't need to press the keys first, but there was a bug in CS3 and I think it may still be in CS4 on the Windows platform).
You can also use the scale tool (hold shift to size proportionally) or use the SCALE fields -- the third set from the left, not the second set which are height and width of the frame only -- on the control panel or in the transform panel. These scale both content and container together.
By default the scale fields will say 100% after any transformation, and ID expects you to input percentage values in them and interprets numbers without units as per cent, but you can enter any value you like as long as you specify the units, so you can put 3in into the width field and the frame will become 3 inches wide. Scaling using the control panel is relative to the control point in the proxy on the left end, so if you select the upper left point, the upper left point of the bounding box will remain stationary and everything else will move toward or away from that.
Peter

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.

Clipping path in PS is not knocking out areas inside paths

Sorry if the thread title is rather oblique but I'm having a little trouble articulating what my issue is.
I'm creating a a clipping path on a photo to place in ID -- I'm knocking out the background and there are areas within the perimeter path that also need to be knocked out (imagine a path around the outside of the letter "O" and a path on the inside of the letter to make it open). I've done on other photos on this same project but for some reason, I can't make it work on this one.
What am I doing wrong? TIA

welcome to the might Photoshop bug since PS 6.0. here is a quick fix short of recreating the path from scratch:
grab your direct select tool (white arrow).
1] click you path in the path so you can see it around the object overlaying the pixels.
2] make sure you have nothing selected as far as points. hold option and click the interior path (the area you want to knock out). ok you should have that area of the path selected.
3] with the path selected, click your Pen tool. look at you tool bar with the path setting - this part of your path needed set to the last one one the far right OR the "exclude overlapping path area" setting.
a lot of times it randomly just occurs as i have seen it off and on for years. sometimes selecting the entire path with the interior paths and setting the whole thing to the far right setting helps as well. sometimes you need to only select area that needs knocked out.

Possible bug in Clipping Path - weird behaviour

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