2 Replies Latest reply: Nov 1, 2010 1:54 PM by PurplePlumUK RSS

    EPS - CMYK&RGB objects convert issues

    PurplePlumUK Community Member

      Hi

       

      Yeah, I know good title.. maybe not. Anyway:-

       

      I've received an eps (source unknown) which when I open it ( it needs to be changed - though NOT the colour), it gives me the following message:Screen shot 2010-11-01 at 16.26.41.png

      Ok.. so questions are -

      1. What exactly does this mean? (ie: the eps was not created using Illustrator?)
      2. Is there any way to see which of the two (it's a logo) colours have been converted (and therefore are likely to not be accurate)?
      3. Is there any way to see if the eps has a colour profile embedded - do I assume it doesn't?
      4. What will Illustrator (CS5) be doing when it converts.. referring to "Edit > Color Settings" profiles? If yes...
      5. What do you recommend I set in the Color Settings to preserve the original CMYK percentages?

       

      Thank you.

        • 1. Re: EPS - CMYK&RGB objects convert issues
          Mylenium CommunityMVP
          What exactly does this mean? (ie: the eps was not created using Illustrator?)

           

          It contains most likely embedded images that are in RGB. This can happen pretty much everywhere when an app was used that does not support color profiles or the user actively chose to not conform colors. Can be anything from PS printer drivers to QuarkXPress...

           

          Is there any way to see which of the two (it's a logo) colours have been converted (and therefore are likely to not be accurate)?

             

            Without a frame of reference, you will never know 100% which one is wrong.... You could assume that "crooked" percentages indicate converted colors, but without profiling, even existing CMYK values may be adjusted depending on how specifically they need to mimic transparency effects and such stuff. Spot colors might also get converted to odd values and you'd never know... There's no simple conclusive answer here.

             

            Is there any way to see if the eps has a colour profile embedded - do I assume it doesn't?

             

            If there is a profile referenced or emebeded, the profile name should be visible somewhere in the EPS file when opening it in a text/ hex editor. Whether this is of any practical use to you is anotehr question...

            1. What will Illustrator (CS5) be doing when it converts.. referring to "Edit > Color Settings" profiles? If yes...
            2. What do you recommend I set in the Color Settings to preserve the original CMYK percentages?

             

            These are a bit of circular questions - without knowing the exact profile, you cannot find perfect settings. Same as with the second question - you can assume certain things and rate the result, but you are still wandering the valley of doubt...

             

            Mylenium

            • 2. Re: EPS - CMYK&RGB objects convert issues
              PurplePlumUK Community Member

              Hello Mylenium

               

              A complete and philosophical answer, if disappointing because I'm condemned to wonder the valley of doubt. Not entirely unexpected however, I had a suspicion t'was thus.

               

              Unfortunately I don't think that "crooked" percentages can be seen to be an indicator... yes, if I'm specifying a CMYK colour, the percentages invariable have some poetry or symmetry about them - they just seem to - because I round them up or down. I think I'm in the minority doing this, however, and most printing technology tends to be so good now that probably 'rounding up/down' does not make colour any more predictable. These colours may also have originally been a Pantone colour in which case the percentages are likely to be somewhat 'whatever'.

               

              Hum, well the owner of the logo may have to understand their colours may change - I can see them finding their expectations of computers at odds with the prospect.

               

              Thanks again Mylenium. All the best.