How do I export an image as transparent in CS4?

[Aude-Noel...@adobeforums.com]

I just upgraded from CS to CS4; in CS, to export a photo as transparent (EPS) was super easy, there was such an option in the Help menu and was done with just a few click of buttons. In CS4 this option is gone and I can't figure out how to do this operation. Does anyone have a clue?
Thanks ahead.
A.

[Ed Hannigan]

What that "Wizard" used to do was make a Clipping Path. You can do the same thing quickly by making a selection of the object and in the Paths palette turn the selection into a path, then name the path, then choose Clipping Path from the dropdown menu and export (Save As) EPS.

The better, proper way is to make the Path manually using the Pen tool.

BTW, you could always just continue to use CS for this purpose.

BUT, are you sure you need an EPS? EPS is somewhat obsolete. What exactly is the destination of this file?

[Aude-Noel...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks Ed! The file is to be placed into an InDesign document. I suppose I could use a TIFF? And why is EPS obsolete ?

[Jim_J...@adobeforums.com]

If you already have a transparent image in Photoshop and it is heading for InDesign, just save the file as PSD, TIF, PDF, or PDP. This is much easier (and much better) than using that lame wizard. No clipping path is needed.

EPS only offers 1-bit transparency. The pixel is either there or it is not. That is the nature of a clipping path.

PSD, TIF, PDF, and PDP allow 8-bit graduated levels of transparency. This allows semi transparent pixels (feathering) if you want it.

[Ed Hannigan]

For InDesign a PSD should work. EPS is just not used that much any more. One reason may be the need to use Clipping Paths to simulate transparency.

[Aude-Noel...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks a lot to both of you for the info!

[Jaclyn_M.@adobeforums.com]

I see your saying that you no longer need to use a wizard in PS CS4 to maintain transparency when using the art in InDesign but what about Illustrator? I have an image in PS with a transparent bg which I want to place onto a design in AI. When I place it, I can see some lines when printed where the outline of the image edge is. I used to use the wizard in Cs2. How can I resolve this in CS4?

[Buko]

Do it the same way as you did with the wizard.

[Jaclyn_M.@adobeforums.com]

The wizard used to be in Help > Export with Transparency or something like that -- its no longer there and I do not see it. Can you advise?

[Buko]

that's why they got rid of the wizard people were doing things with out knowing what they were doing.

put what you want on on a new layer delete what you don't want turn off the background layer. you can also use masks. Save as PSD.

[Jim_J...@adobeforums.com]

If you are seeing outlines on the image, you are either using a non-postscript printer (or your printer drivers need updating), you have a stroke applied to the object in Illustrator, or you have 'crud' in the image that was not removed while you were in Photoshop.

[Jaclyn_M.@adobeforums.com]

Thanks - this is helpful. I know I have no stroke in AI, The image is clean.. no crud. Its a very thin line at the exact top and side of the transparency and its lighter where it should be clear. Im certain its the transparency. My understanding is that its essential to create a "clipping path" around the object in photoshop to get that object truly transparent.

BTW Buko - I do understand what your saying... but the object is on its own layer in PS, background has been entirely and cleanly erased and it is saved as PSD and then placed into AI.

But what you guys are saying is that with CS4 - just having a BG extracted in a PSD is enough? No more clipping paths are needed. In essence, the object does not need to be masked?

I even found this tutorial where it says to use Object > Clipping Path but I am not certain where to find this command. I have looked.

<http://help.adobe.com/en_US/InDesign/6.0/WSa285fff53dea4f8617383751001ea8cb3f-6f23a.html#WSa285fff53dea4f8617383751001ea8cb3f-6f1fa>

[Ed Hannigan]

"with CS4 - just having a BG extracted in a PSD is enough? No more clipping paths are needed."

Yes. Been that way for quite a while too.

If you ever need a Clipping Path (unlikely) you can make a path manually with the Pen tool and turn it into a Clipping Path in the Paths palette. Or you can make a selection into a path (which is what that wizard did).

That's rather clumsy and inaccurate though, and the Clipping Paths tend not to be so great. Also Clipping Aths don't allow fades or feathering of any kind.

[Ann_She...@adobeforums.com]

background has been entirely and cleanly erased

Erasing very seldom leaves an entirely clean background. You will do much better if you learn to use masks instead.

The "lines" that you are seeing on output are probably due to Stitching which is affected by the way that you set your transparency and resolution preferences in Illustrator.

Also, do investigate the possibility of using InDesign instead of Illustrator for page layout.

[Jaclyn_M.@adobeforums.com]

"with CS4 - just having a BG extracted in a PSD is enough? No more clipping paths are needed."

"Yes. Been that way for quite a while too."

Note: I had CS2 before CS4 (skipped CS3) and I had the same problem in CS2. When was it changed, CS3?

Also - some of those help tutorials I see say you can "create the clipping paths automatically using the Detect Edges option in the Clipping Path dialog box"

Does anyone know where I can find the Clipping Path Dialog box or Detect Edges tool????

Also, lets say hypothetically that it is the printer drivers, if I have this document professionally offset printed, the problem will be resolved, right?

[Jaclyn_M.@adobeforums.com]

Oh and Ann - I used Quick Mask to erase the BG. Is that what you are referring to?

I am ultimately trying to create a clipping mask using clipping paths?

[Ann_She...@adobeforums.com]

Make a selection (either from a drawn path or by another method) and then create a Layer Mask from the Selection.

When you said that you had "erased" the background, I assumed that you meant by using the Eraser and that frequently leaves low-opacity mess behind and does not result in a clean background.

[Jaclyn_M.@adobeforums.com]

Thanks. I hesitate to be redundant -- but for clarity, I am trying to create the sort of effect with the path that is shown here around the globe. Is that what the process your recommending will do?

<http://help.adobe.com/en_US/InDesign/6.0/WSa285fff53dea4f8617383751001ea8cb3f-6f23a.html#WSa285fff53dea4f8617383751001ea8cb3f-6f1fa>

[Ann_She...@adobeforums.com]

Exactly.

But with the added advantage that a Layer Mask can also leave a slightly soft edge on your object if you wish (which might be what you need if you are blending your object into another image).

[Buko]

Quick mask is a great tool and used in conjunction with refine edge you can get some fast and nice looking KO's for catalogs and such.

[Phosąfour dots]

The computer scientists have been talking about completely building a new version of the internetm from the ground up to make it more useful, scalable, secure, etc.

Until that day comes, I think we need asidecar internet dedicated to teaching people about image transparency methods.

http1&frac1/2;//www1.IsolatedImages.com

XD

[Ja...@adobeforums.com]

Can someone provide more detail on how to accomplish this?

"You can do the same thing quickly by making a selection of the object and in the Paths palette turn the selection into a path, then name the path, then choose Clipping Path from the drop down menu and export (Save As) EPS. "

If I have a single object on a layer and it is isolated with NO background, and the area around the object is transparent, how do I export as transparent background without using the transparency wizard? If I "make a selection of the object" and go into the paths panel, its empty. The object only appears in the layers tab. Am I not "selecting" it correctly?

Please advise.

Also if don't do this whole clipping path/mask process and then just save as PSD and "place" this image into illustrator, should I be worried about the possibility of that "hazy" white area (Where the transp. bg is) or the lines around the edges I have experienced in the past if I am printing using a professional service and not just a household printer that may/may not have postscript issue?

Thanks

[Ja...@adobeforums.com]

Or maybe someone can point me in the direction of a really clear tutorial on this? That doesn't skip steps and that is not missing details...

oh.. and funny about the new internet comment :) Can you provide instructions on how to use it LOL.

[Ann_She...@adobeforums.com]

Oh that "hazy white area", and those "lines around the edges" will show up all right, because they are part of your file; and were left there by an imperfect use of the eraser instead of making a careful and accurate Selection (either by making a Selection from a pen-drawn path or by other means) and then creating a Layer Mask from that Selection.

I imagine that there are probably tutorials on this subject at Lynda.com so you might like to check that site for them.

[Ja...@adobeforums.com]

Hi Ann -

The Hazy white area is consistent throughout the transparent background and the lines are not in the image. I EVEN can delete or crop smaller and the border ALWAYS has it (only when printed -- its not there on the screen at all). I guarantee with 1000% its not there in the image. It definitely has to to with the printer which is why the Export Transparent Wizard existed -- to have this not happen when people where working with images that had transparent bg's and they used a clipping path mask to fix. The transparent area just doesn't print right with some printers (the old postscript printer issue) and I am trying to reproduce what the Wizard did but manually now that there is no wizard in CS4. I have looked through adobe TV and cannot find a tutorial. If someone has a step by step on this it would be appreciated.

There is a million tutorials on a clipping paths and masks but once done, it doesnt show a proper way to export.

[Ann_She...@adobeforums.com]

The Hazy white area is consistent throughout the transparent background

Because you have not removed the old background fully.

100% Black filling the Layer Mask would obscure your "white haze" (which was almost certainly left behind because you used the Eraser and only erased partially).

clipping paths and masks but once done, it doesnt show a proper way to
export.

You just PLACE the transparent .psd file in your InDesign document for output.

If you have either a Clipping Path (which you do not actually need for use in InDesign) or a solidly opaque Layer Mask, the background to your silhouetted image will be absolutely clean.

[Ja...@adobeforums.com]

Wouldnt an eraser only erase partially if the opacity was not 100%?

I color dropped black behind it and is crisp black. The bg is clean.

When I place it in InDesign it prints fine BUT in Illustrator it does not. Can this be explained?

[Ann_She...@adobeforums.com]

I have never found the Eraser to be the best way to go — Layer Masks are more efficient and also non-destructive so that you can continue to refine them as often as you like.

What else do you have in the Illustrator file?

Transparency/Raster/Flattening settings?

If it works in InDesign, do you need to use Illustrator anyway?

[Ja...@adobeforums.com]

Is there anyone who can give a clear answer on how to easily create a clipping mask (with clipping path) around an object (item isolated from a photo using QuickMask mode in PS). Basically, i had a photo of a laptop and using quickmask I extracted it from all other elements in the photo leaving just the laptop with an apparently transparent area around it. I had also done this with an image of a person. I used to use the export as transparency wizard in CS2 to automatically make the clipping path around the object to help avoid issues with potential postscript printers.

I am getting alot of great assistance and I am grateful for those taking their time out to help, but I am not getting a clear direction on how to accomplish this one task in CS4 PS which appears to be simple and also confusing for others as there are alot of people on the forums trying to figure the same info out.

I understand InDesign may be better than AI for this layout work and importing this image there may solve all my problems, but for the sake of needing to find this solution for a task that was once possible and seems so simple, if someone can help by defining the new procedure, it would be appreciated. It would also put an end to the quantity of posts on the same subject.

[Ann_She...@adobeforums.com]

<http://www.lazymask.com/clipping-path-tutorial.html>

[Ann_She...@adobeforums.com]

Just type "Clipping Paths Tutorial" into Google and you will find dozens of tutorials on the subject (of which the above link is just one example).

[Ja...@adobeforums.com]

Ok thanks. Took a quick look at that and the tutorial falls just a tad short of one extra step. After #7 where the person is isolated and the bg is transparent. What format would you save that in if you were to be placing it into AI? Just leaving native PSD??

[Buko]

Just leaving native PSD??

Yes