3 Replies Latest reply: Feb 27, 2011 7:45 AM by TCarp RSS

    IL or FW for transparent background objects?

    TCarp Community Member

      I'm reworking a simple logo.  It's mostly vector objects but has two small added silouettes which I have in PS.  These silouettes have a transparent background.

       

      Originally I used FW (for the vector and the final full icon) and PS for the silouettes.  I decided this time to use AI instead of FW but I'm having problems losing the transparency for the silouettes.

       

      I've read (and read and read) about needing some sort of mask to get make the background transparent in AI but not of it is making sense and the tests I'm running aren't turning out.

       

      Latest test was to do an export from PS chosing IL clipping mask option but I get an error when I try to place the mask in a new AI document.  I have the feeling my lack of understanding is the problem.

       

      Am I better off just using FW instead of AI?  If I recall I can preserve the transparency without a lot of work in FW.  Since I think I can control the resolution (web and print) and the color scheme (RBG and CYMK) I should be able to produce final outputs with the characteristics I want.

       

      Hate to abandon AI in this case.  Am I giving up too soon?

       

      Thanks

       

      Tom

        • 1. Re: IL or FW for transparent background objects?
          Wade_Zimmerman Community Member

          What options did you use when you placed the Photoshop files.

           

          You could always select the photoshop object and go to the transparency panel and reduce the transparency and or change the blending mode.

           

          If you mean the silhouette is transparent outside of the silhouetted area then make certain that the Photoshop file is a transparent layer in photoshop and then

          place it as and Illustrator Object and not a flattened image.

           

          In both cases the file placed in Illustrator has to be a transparent Photoshop file no back ground layer.

           

          You can clip it in Illustrator or Photoshop if it is a flatten or nn transparent photoshop file.

          • 2. Re: IL or FW for transparent background objects?
            Wade_Zimmerman Community Member

            Some Screen Shots if this is not enough and someone else cannot explain it well enough I will do a video tomorrow.

             

            Screen shot 2011-02-26 at 8.45.54 PM.png

             

            Screen shot 2011-02-26 at 8.47.33 PM.png

             

            Screen shot 2011-02-26 at 8.47.45 PM.png

             

            Silhouette

             

            Screen shot 2011-02-26 at 8.48.39 PM.png

             

            Screen shot 2011-02-26 at 8.49.43 PM.png

             

            Screen shot 2011-02-26 at 8.49.50 PM.png

            • 3. Re: IL or FW for transparent background objects?
              TCarp Community Member

              Wade, thanks for taking the time here.

               

              Before you do any more work...

               

              I did some testing and am slowly understanding at least enough to handle my situation.  I place the psd files (the silouettes) in ai and then do final sizing (always smaller).  I noticed that one of the placed images was transparent and the other was not.  I went back to PS to find differences.  It turns out one was Indexed and the other RGB 8.  I don't understand what these terms mean but I did read somewhere that the mode made a difference regarding transparancy.

               

              I changed the mode of the file that didn't bring over transparency to RGB 8 and bingo!  The method of building the silouette in PS and then placing it in AI is very simple and straight forward.

               

              I need to do some reading on these modes but for now I have a process.

               

              Thanks again

               

              Tom