InDesign CS > Imported Spot Color DCS 2 Files > PDF

[L...@adobeforums.com]

InDesign CS > Imported Spot Color DCS 2 Files > PDF

Can I do it?

In the past I know we couldn't use PDF for Spot Color files. Can it be done now?

[Robert...@adobeforums.com]

Use a PSD. ID CS now supports PSDs with spot color. AFAIK, you still
can't use DCS files in PDFs.

Bob

[L...@adobeforums.com]

If I can that would be very nice. I guess I'd better figure out the best way to do it. Thanks!

[Jeffre...@adobeforums.com]

you can use DCS in PDF... it's really a matter of how you create the PDF...

[John_K...@adobeforums.com]

You can use psd, dsc2, tif and photoshop pdf and retain spot color. You will be able to use any of these formats to make a composite pdf from ID CS.

Limitation of photoshop pdf files. Must be in overprint preview mode to view correctly so I do not recommend this format.

dcs2 images do not retain full transparency, only clipping paths. If you want transparency, then use psd format.

I prefer to use psd over tif format.

As a word of caution because this is a new feature, always double check the placed images in high resolution to verify the image is as it is suppose to be. I created one test file that only came through when saved as a dcs2 or pdf. It distorted the spot channel in the psd and tif format. I have not been able to recreate the problem file using the same steps so it may have just been an anamoly. As long as it views correctly in high resolution preview, you can feel confident that it will rip correctly.

John

[L...@adobeforums.com]

John: Thank you so much!

I was just trying to read up on this in the provided ID PDF but coudn't find anything.

[Steve_...@adobeforums.com]

ID CS can now merge or composite DCS 1 and 2 files which are created in Photoshop (that's important because other applications can create DCS). Merging is supported when exporting PDF or printing, including color separation, transparency, and trapping with the built-in trapping engine. For InDesign CS to do this, the DCS file must be created by Photoshop, must be an 8-bit file, and must not include vector data. CMYK, RGB and gray color models are supported. It can include spot colors, and can be a multitone file (like a duotone).

[L...@adobeforums.com]

Steve: This is interesting. Are you saying that it's not necessary to convert to multichannel prior to importing the PSD file to ID CS?

[Steve_...@adobeforums.com]

LRK,

I was writing about DCS files, not Photoshop (.PSD) files.

As a separate new feature, ID CS now supports spot channels and duotones/tritones/quadtones in PSD files. However, I believe that PSD does NOT support multichannel files (that is to say, files saved in Multichannel mode).

[L...@adobeforums.com]

Steve:

I think I must be misunderstanding you. You can save a multichannel doc as a .psd file, but for output (at least in the past) you would save as a DCS2 file, which of course would be eps.

I don't understand what you mean when you say PSD (.psd) does not support multichannel files. That's how I save my spot color files while I am still working in the channels... again, prior to output.

Unless... you meant to say that InDesign CS does not support PSD Multichannel Files. That would make sense. They would need to be converted to DCS2 (.eps) files first.

Linda

[Steve_...@adobeforums.com]

If you have a four-color (CMYK) file and you add a fifth channel, you can either save it as DCS 2, and now ID CS will merge or composite that.

Alternatively, you could just leave it as a Photoshop .PSD file, and ID CS will recognize that as well. Both of them will work in a composite or PDF workflow. Both of them will interact correctly with transparency.

Sorry if I was unclear.

And, yes, while IDCS recognizes spot colors, it still can't handle a PSD file in Multichannel mode.

[L...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks Steve! Great news! I hope it works well.

[L...@adobeforums.com]

I have tried importing two different DSC2 formats into IDCS:

• Single File with Color Composite
• Multiple Files with Color Composite

I tried exporting each one as PDF/X-1a files. I get a PDF file that has only one plate either way.

So... I tried printing to PS file and distilling using the PDF/X-1a format. I get error messages.

I can create a PDF file by Exporting to PDF/X-1a but the PDF does not show two plates. I assume that if my separations are working right I would get two pages, each representing a the channel with it's pantone spot color.

[L...@adobeforums.com]

This is the error message I get when using Distiller to distill the PS file:

1. Color Violation. The use of PlateColor is not permitted and was found
in the document. Occurrences: 3

[Steve_...@adobeforums.com]

LRK,

Tell us more about how you created your DCS2 file, and more specific steps.

I just did the following test, and it previewed the separations correctly with Acrobat 6 Professional with Separation Preview:

(1) I opened a CMYK image in Photoshop CS, and I added a new spot channel.

(2) I saved as DCS 2, and chose Single File with Color Composite [the composite only affects onscreen display in IDCS].

(3) I placed the DCS 2 file in IDCS (along with a CMYK file and a single different spot color object.

(4) I exported as PDF. When I exported, I did it two ways--just chose Press settings and chose PDF-X/1a setting.

(5) When I opened it in Acrobat 6 Professional, I turned on Separation Preview. The spot plates are visible when I turn on and off plates, and the densitometer shows the spot plates as I move the cursor over the colors. (I don't have a separation proofer in my home office.)

Steve

[L...@adobeforums.com]

Steve:

I think my problem is that I failed to do step #5. Thanks for being so thorough. You are very helpful.

In the meantime I've been recreating all my documents in ID 2.02 this morning. I am getting nervous about taking a chance with all PDF and this new printer has not upgraded to CS yet. These files have to be shipped today so at this point I'll keep copying and pasting until everything is back into vs. 2.

Thanks so much! This will help the next time around.

Linda

[Steve_...@adobeforums.com]

Here's some more information copied from the InDesign CS Printing Guide.pdf (found on the 3rd CD in Technical Information in the Creative Suite):

"Merging raster - based Photoshop DCS and EPS files

"Automatically merge, or composite, Adobe Photoshop DCS 2.0 files placed in Adobe
InDesign CS. Because DCS files are preseparated, it can be a challenge to integrate them into some prepress workflows. By automatically merging DCS 2.0 files created from Adobe Photoshop, it’s easier to reuse legacy files. Merging is supported when exporting or printing, including color separation and trapping with the built-in trapping engine. These enhancements are made possible because Adobe InDesign CS reads Photoshop DCS and EPS files as images. Reading these file types as images enables two more benefits: their resolution is determined and reported in the Info palette and when preflighting, and Photoshop EPS files can be color-managed if an ICC profile was embedded.

"For an EPS or DCS file to benefit from these enhancements in Adobe InDesign CS, the file must meet the following requirements:

"• The file must be created by Photoshop.

"• The file must be an 8-bit file. The CMYK, RGB, and gray color models are supported. It can include spot colors, and it can be a multitone file (such as a duotone).

"• A DCS file must not be saved with the Include Vector Data option selected. (Clipping paths are supported.)

"• DCS files must conform to the DCS 1.0 or 2.0 specification. EPS and DCS files not meeting these requirements can still be placed, but they won’t benefit
from the enhanced workflow."

[L...@adobeforums.com]

Help!

I may have to go back to PDF from IDCS. I accidentally "opened" my ID2 file in IDCS. As soon as I did, I closed it without saving. When I opened it back in ID2 I could no longer select the elements on the page. I can't edit text or anything.

I pray that whatever I do, I do it right. My client wants this CD package produced in time for a Christmas event. Today is the deadline for shipping.

[L...@adobeforums.com]

Steve: Looks like we just cross posted. Thanks for the additional information. I plan to work on this again after I get this job out and I can relax.

[John_K...@adobeforums.com]

I've been recreating all my documents in ID 2.02 this morning

Just so you know:

1 Place a dcs image in a ID CS document centered in a page size the same size as the document.

2 Export as a pdf 1.4 or eps.

3 Place into a ID 2 document.

You now have a composite raster file that will maintain the spot color when placed in ID 2. If you go the eps route, it will even work in an Xpress document.

[L...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks John. Pardon my denseness, but is this method better than replacing the DCS file itself? What would be the advantage? Are there risks involved?

Steve:

Now out of necessity, I'm back to IDCS and following your steps from earlier. I may have to make an appeal to the printer to at least try one of my PDF files as an experiment.

[L...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks for further explaining John. This looks like good information. I'm hanging onto this thread and printing it as I go.

Steve: I followed your instructions from Post #14 and just sent a two color spot PDF file to the printer to see if it looks like it might work. If that one works I trust I can send my full color IDCS PDFs without a problem as well. Here's hoping...

Linda

[John_K...@adobeforums.com]

I only mentioned this because you posted you were recreating in ID 2.

So if you were using dsc images, and you wanted to output composite from ID 2, this is a way of making a composite raster file that ID 2 will interpret correctly.

BTW, if you want transparency, you can do the same method with a psd file containing spot data. Export as a 1.4 pdf to retain transparency and it will work in ID 2.

Now out of necessity, I'm back to IDCS

Which now makes what I posted moot. :)