Placed file: link or embed???

[backspin]

I'm new to Illus. 9--have been very reluctant to upgrade from my beloved 6 (yes, SIX!!), after which they ruined everything. Now I have 9 at my office. When I tell it to place a PS eps image, I would normally link it. I get a message telling me it won't print correctly. Is this just referring to my desktop printer, or when it goes to be printed for real? Embedding takes up so much memory & time!!

Hate version 9, hate hate hate.

 

[blueark]

Linked images shouldn't cause any printing problems, as long as Illustrator knows where the original file is. The only bug I've come across is with embedded files, when occasionally Illustrator still looks for the original image. Selecting the Extract option usually sorts that one out. Is there something unusual about the Photoshop EPS you're using? What exactly does the error message say?

 

[backspin]

The message says "Linked EPS files may not print accurately when the document also contains transparency. For accurate results, embed the linked file before printing."

I'm just using regular Photoshop files, flattened & saved as EPS files, just like I've done for years.

 

[blueark]

Ah yes...the new transparency features of Illustrator 9. The documentation is very uninformative about it, and lots of printers hate it because it messes with their RIPs... but if you're putting your files together in much the same way as you've always done, I think you can safely ignore that error message, even if it's being printed for real. I say this because:

a: It's unlikely you've used transparency by accident.
b: I've worked in a print bureau for years and have never had trouble with Illustrator files that don't contain transparancy (well, no major trouble anyway)
and c: Lots of people hate v.9, so you've plenty of company!

If you want to be REALLY safe, save a copy of your files as version 8 and ignore the warning. You should see an option in the dialog box to preserve appearance. Check that, close the file, reopen it to make sure it still looks ok, and then send that file off to your printers. Version 8 is safe as houses... Best of luck!

 

[askIllustrator]

The message is for incase you are printing spot colors out of AI and even then its not much of an issue, more an annoying message.

I too am unhappy with v9. 8 however was much better than 6, you should have skipped 7 for 8. I could not resist however having access to transparency, it has really saved me alot of time. Dont bother with the appearance pallette, it may look neat but will bite you down the line... it needs some tweaking.

BEHOLD! As Steve Jobs introduces us the latest in desk-lamp technology!

http://www.apple.com