I can create some beautiful graphics in Illustrator. I want to use them in Pagemaker, but saving graphics from Illustrator either in jpeg, tif, or eps format and loading them into Pagemaker, the resolution is not very good. I understand that rasterizing vector graphics will loose some quality (esp 3-D boxes, etc.) but even relatively simple graphics will loose quality. Is there a trick to saving these images in a quality format that won't loose in the translation?
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How do I save a "good" vector graphic? 3
- Thread starter Roadlouse
- Start date
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1
- #2
MarcusStringer
IS-IT--Management
I don't think Pagemaker has a very high quality picture display thingy.
I know Quark's is hopeless.
Also create a PDF to check quality.
Even a printout to your printer will show you better quality.
Also when dealing with Vector images, never rasterise, always save to EPS when ever you can.
Marcus
I know Quark's is hopeless.
Also create a PDF to check quality.
Even a printout to your printer will show you better quality.
Also when dealing with Vector images, never rasterise, always save to EPS when ever you can.
Marcus
- Thread starter
- #3
I tried using PDF, EPS, and BMP. Of the three, BMP seems to work the best. I thought the Illustrator to Pagemaker interface was seamless regarding graphics. Guess not.
EPS was probably the worst looking of the lot.
Thanks for the response.
Jim
EPS was probably the worst looking of the lot.
Thanks for the response.
Jim
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- #4
I don't use Pagemaker, but I would guess it's the same as most page layout programs when it comes to graphics. What you see on screen is for positioning purposes only. In other words, to speed up program operations, it only shows a rough preview image. When printed on postscript printers, it uses the original artwork. With this in mind, you should use the EPS or PDF file, regardless of how it looks on screen. Can you export from Pagemaker to PDF and view it in Acrobat Reader? If so, it will give you a better idea of how the job will print.
I save Illus. files with the attributes set to 2400 dpi. Also In PageMaker in Document set up. I set the Target Output resoulution to be 2400 dpi as well.
I don't know if the setting the Target ouput resolution helps but I know setting the atrributes to 2400 dpi in Illus. does.
info@prepress-online.com
I don't know if the setting the Target ouput resolution helps but I know setting the atrributes to 2400 dpi in Illus. does.
info@prepress-online.com
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- #6
Roadlouse
As already pointed out - what you see on screen with graphics files in PM is not a high quality pic, but the low rez preview. You can force any TIFs in the layout to show as high rez versions under Preferences, but this will not work very well with EPSs (which are limited to whatever preview mode you set when you saved the AI file as an EPS).
As long as you print to a postscript printer, the EPS will print beautifully.
If you haven't got a postscript printer to check this, then make a PDF of the PM file (select Distiller as your printer in the Print Menu) and open and print the PDF from Acrobat.
As already pointed out - what you see on screen with graphics files in PM is not a high quality pic, but the low rez preview. You can force any TIFs in the layout to show as high rez versions under Preferences, but this will not work very well with EPSs (which are limited to whatever preview mode you set when you saved the AI file as an EPS).
As long as you print to a postscript printer, the EPS will print beautifully.
If you haven't got a postscript printer to check this, then make a PDF of the PM file (select Distiller as your printer in the Print Menu) and open and print the PDF from Acrobat.
PixelJock
>>I save Illus. files with the attributes set to 2400 dpi.<<
In what format are you saving the AI files when you specify this resolution?
If saving as an EPS (the preferred format for vector files to be placed in a layout - except perhaps ID), then resolution doesn't come into it. The EPS remains a vector file.
>>I save Illus. files with the attributes set to 2400 dpi.<<
In what format are you saving the AI files when you specify this resolution?
If saving as an EPS (the preferred format for vector files to be placed in a layout - except perhaps ID), then resolution doesn't come into it. The EPS remains a vector file.
MarcusStringer
IS-IT--Management
Thanks Eggles,
I thought they were just repeating what I'd said...
RoadHouse.
Eggles is on the money, resolution is irrelevant.
You could increase the size to be the size of a house and it would'nt matter, that's the good thing about vector graphics.
Marcus
I thought they were just repeating what I'd said...
RoadHouse.
Eggles is on the money, resolution is irrelevant.
You could increase the size to be the size of a house and it would'nt matter, that's the good thing about vector graphics.
Marcus
Eggles,
I and my prepress co-workers have always set the attributes to be 2400 dpi from the default of 800 dpi. We do this especially if someone has chosen to changet type to outlines. If we leave it set to 800 dpi the type will look blocky and squared off not smooth on the final ripped files.
So I have to disagree with yourself and Stringer - - where you say resolution is irrelevant. I have worked Prepress in some of the top printers in the U.S. and they all follow this procedure to this day -- and I don't think they can be wrong.
And yes I'm saving as a eps file.
info@prepress-online.com
I and my prepress co-workers have always set the attributes to be 2400 dpi from the default of 800 dpi. We do this especially if someone has chosen to changet type to outlines. If we leave it set to 800 dpi the type will look blocky and squared off not smooth on the final ripped files.
So I have to disagree with yourself and Stringer - - where you say resolution is irrelevant. I have worked Prepress in some of the top printers in the U.S. and they all follow this procedure to this day -- and I don't think they can be wrong.
And yes I'm saving as a eps file.
info@prepress-online.com
MarcusStringer
IS-IT--Management
I don't understand how resolution is a factor in Illustrator.
It's a vector program. When creating outline fonts, doesn't it change the font to a vector object? hence the ability to enlarge vector artwork heaps.
I can understand it having an effect after placing it in Quark or Indesign etc.
Because the pagelayout program governs the output resolution resolution.
Marcus
It's a vector program. When creating outline fonts, doesn't it change the font to a vector object? hence the ability to enlarge vector artwork heaps.
I can understand it having an effect after placing it in Quark or Indesign etc.
Because the pagelayout program governs the output resolution resolution.
Marcus
I don't understand how resolution is a factor in Illustrator.
I cannot explain the whole ins and outs to why it's a factor - -I just know in all the years I have been in Prepress - -if a client marks up a proof complaining that art is not smooth and looks blocky - -I would say most of the time when I open that Illustrator file the attributes are set to either 300 or 800 dpi.
In all the shops I work in - it's common practice for the preflight department to raise the attributes to 2400 dpi or the LW resolution on the several different rips that I have worked on.
info@prepress-online.com
I cannot explain the whole ins and outs to why it's a factor - -I just know in all the years I have been in Prepress - -if a client marks up a proof complaining that art is not smooth and looks blocky - -I would say most of the time when I open that Illustrator file the attributes are set to either 300 or 800 dpi.
In all the shops I work in - it's common practice for the preflight department to raise the attributes to 2400 dpi or the LW resolution on the several different rips that I have worked on.
info@prepress-online.com
I believe the original poster wanted to place the AI files into a layout program, not print directly from Illustrator."
Eggles,
That is correct but I am replying back to MarcusStringer's post -- who asked me a question.
info@prepress-online.com
Eggles,
That is correct but I am replying back to MarcusStringer's post -- who asked me a question.
info@prepress-online.com
MarcusStringer
IS-IT--Management
I don't want to start a fight.
I can't find anywhere in Illustrator to set DPI, only in the Print Menu, but when I want to save as an EPS I don't use that window
Marcus
I can't find anywhere in Illustrator to set DPI, only in the Print Menu, but when I want to save as an EPS I don't use that window
Marcus
No fight being started here - - we are all here to talk about our experiences in our lines of work - where we can help one another.
Depending on what version you are working in:
Versions 8: It could be done in the attributes menu. Located Window> Show attributes> window pops up you can set your dpi there.
Version 9 and 10: File > Doucument Set Up > Where it says "Artboard" go there and go to "Printing and Export" there you set your output resolution. Then you can save as a eps file. (They did away with setting the dpi in the attributes window.)
Version CS it's a little different, I don't have CS at home but the settings are now done in a transparancy setting where the dpi can be set as well.
Alot of prepress personel use this technique - - like I said I've been doing this for years when I work with Illus. eps files, and every place I have worked the preflight dept. saves all the eps files with the dpi raised from the default.
info@prepress-online.com
Depending on what version you are working in:
Versions 8: It could be done in the attributes menu. Located Window> Show attributes> window pops up you can set your dpi there.
Version 9 and 10: File > Doucument Set Up > Where it says "Artboard" go there and go to "Printing and Export" there you set your output resolution. Then you can save as a eps file. (They did away with setting the dpi in the attributes window.)
Version CS it's a little different, I don't have CS at home but the settings are now done in a transparancy setting where the dpi can be set as well.
Alot of prepress personel use this technique - - like I said I've been doing this for years when I work with Illus. eps files, and every place I have worked the preflight dept. saves all the eps files with the dpi raised from the default.
info@prepress-online.com
MarcusStringer
IS-IT--Management
But doesn't that only apply to eps's which use Transparancy?
If I Make a new document which has a box and some type on it, then try to save as an eps, the transparancy option is greyed out and therefore doen't apply.
So whatever setting you make regarding DPI becomes irrelevant unless your document contains a transparant object.
I've never changed dpi in Illustrator in my 12 years in the industry, also no one I know or have worked with in different companies have changed dpi either.
That's why I say it's a non-issue.
Marcus
If I Make a new document which has a box and some type on it, then try to save as an eps, the transparancy option is greyed out and therefore doen't apply.
So whatever setting you make regarding DPI becomes irrelevant unless your document contains a transparant object.
I've never changed dpi in Illustrator in my 12 years in the industry, also no one I know or have worked with in different companies have changed dpi either.
That's why I say it's a non-issue.
Marcus
Marcus,
>I've never changed dpi in Illustrator in my 12 years in the industry, also no one I know or have worked with in different companies have changed dpi either.<
Do you rip down files on a high-end rip suchas Rampage or Creo-Scitex? On these rips raising the attributes to 2400 dpi does help the smooth out the edges. Like I said before I don't the whole reason why it works - -but I have seen it and it does make a difference.
>But doesn't that only apply to eps's which use Transparancy?<
I would say it applies to all eps files even with and without transparancy. Everywhere I worked they were doing this on earlier versions before 8.0.
>also no one I know or have worked with in different companies have changed dpi either.<
What line of work are you in and if it is prepress what kind of rip are you using to rip your PS files.
What version of Illus are you working in?
info@prepress-online.com
>I've never changed dpi in Illustrator in my 12 years in the industry, also no one I know or have worked with in different companies have changed dpi either.<
Do you rip down files on a high-end rip suchas Rampage or Creo-Scitex? On these rips raising the attributes to 2400 dpi does help the smooth out the edges. Like I said before I don't the whole reason why it works - -but I have seen it and it does make a difference.
>But doesn't that only apply to eps's which use Transparancy?<
I would say it applies to all eps files even with and without transparancy. Everywhere I worked they were doing this on earlier versions before 8.0.
>also no one I know or have worked with in different companies have changed dpi either.<
What line of work are you in and if it is prepress what kind of rip are you using to rip your PS files.
What version of Illus are you working in?
info@prepress-online.com
MarcusStringer
IS-IT--Management
Have worked in Prepress using Bacro Graphics, not sure what RIP they were using, but didn't do it then.
I work for a Typesetting Company which sends files in every format to quite a lot of different places who use Agfa Apogee RIPS and other places (don't know what RIPs they use, and they don't do it....I asked!
I'm not saying you don't have to do it, because how would I know, I'm just saying I don't do it and everyone I'm associated with have never done it.
I'm using Illustrator CS
But considering you havn't responed to my statements before.
Let's just agree to disagree and move on..
All the best
Marcus
I work for a Typesetting Company which sends files in every format to quite a lot of different places who use Agfa Apogee RIPS and other places (don't know what RIPs they use, and they don't do it....I asked!
I'm not saying you don't have to do it, because how would I know, I'm just saying I don't do it and everyone I'm associated with have never done it.
I'm using Illustrator CS
But considering you havn't responed to my statements before.
Let's just agree to disagree and move on..
All the best
Marcus
>If I Make a new document which has a box and some type on it, then try to save as an eps, the transparancy option is greyed out and therefore doen't apply.<
You don't raise the attributes while your saving to a eps file, you do it while the file is open - then save to a eps. Read my post from 10/08. The option is not there when saving to a eps.
Transparancy has nothing to with dpi.
But as you said we must move on.
info@prepress-online.com
You don't raise the attributes while your saving to a eps file, you do it while the file is open - then save to a eps. Read my post from 10/08. The option is not there when saving to a eps.
Transparancy has nothing to with dpi.
But as you said we must move on.
info@prepress-online.com
Version CS it's a little different, I don't have CS at home but the settings are now done in a transparancy setting where the dpi can be set as well."
In Illustrator CS:
- Select all
- Go to Object
- Go to Flatten Transparency
- Here you can set your Line art and Text Resolution
(Illustrator CS - combined the Printing and Export and Transparency options into one. In versions 9 and 10 they were found as 2 separate options under Document Setup. In version 9 you can also can set the dpi in the attibutes widow, go to Window - Attributes - - pallette will show. Remember do a select all.)
Then save as a EPS file
These setting may not apply to all printers and rips that are being used.
info@prepress-online.com
"Tell'em we're comin', and hell's comin' with us.
In Illustrator CS:
- Select all
- Go to Object
- Go to Flatten Transparency
- Here you can set your Line art and Text Resolution
(Illustrator CS - combined the Printing and Export and Transparency options into one. In versions 9 and 10 they were found as 2 separate options under Document Setup. In version 9 you can also can set the dpi in the attibutes widow, go to Window - Attributes - - pallette will show. Remember do a select all.)
Then save as a EPS file
These setting may not apply to all printers and rips that are being used.
info@prepress-online.com
"Tell'em we're comin', and hell's comin' with us.
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