transparency in a logo 1

[Eggles]

I have created a logo in AI9 (on a PC) which consists of a couple of non-overlapping blue squares and 6 text characters inside one of the squares. Each of the two squares and the text are on separate layers (i.e. 3 layers in total). The text is still editable - not converted to outlines.

I want to have the background and the text transparent so that when the logo is placed (as an EPS or a TIF) in a Pagemaker document against a coloured background, there is no white border and the background colour also shows through the text.

I think I have figured out how to make the background transparent, as follows: I create a new layer and put it on the bottom and then slide the opacity slider on the Transparency palette back to zero. But I cannot get the text to become transparent.

Do I (1) have to flatten the image? (2) convert the text to outlines before this will work?

When I save it as an EPS, will the transparency be retained? What about as a TIF? I know how to get transparency in Photoshop using clipping paths, but not in AI. I don't want to create the logo in PS just to get the transparency as I would still like it to be scalable.

 

[blueark]

If it doesn't look transparent, it's probably to do with the way you specified the preview. Save as an EPS and when you've given it a name, click save. You will then get an EPS options dialog, so have a look at the different Preview formats. See if any of them have a 'Transparent' option. That should be all you need, unless you are using partial transparency. You may also have a few white objects in your file, which will block the background showing through.

 

[Triska]

Well, If I understand what you're intending...

You want 2 opaque squares with text in one that is transparent (cut out) and shows any background behind it.

1. Don't create a background, or delete it in the end if using it for mockup. Also, you will not be using the Transparency palette, unless you want PARTIAL trans. on some object, cutouts are done entirely w/ paths.
2. only 3 main objects are needed, 2 squares and the text group.
3. You will need to Ctrl+Shift+O (conv. to outlines) the text, (compound paths did not seem to export the transparency in my tests.) Then select the text (cutter) and the (cuttee) blue box, use the 'Subtract from shape area' Shape Mode to cut the text out of the square. You don't need to expand afterwards.

4. Ensure Effect > Doc. Raster Effects Settings has 'back.trans.' Set. if you want to Rasterize a copy inside AI.

Or, 5. Export as EPS (my recommendation)... which will have trans. cutouts by its very nature.

Let me know if PM balks at the above assumption by placing it in PM and seeing...

Sef.


It is alright to decorate construction, but never construct decoration. - Pugin, on Arch.

http://www.elucidesign.com

 

[Eggles]

blueark - I need to go much further back than what you are suggestiong

triska - i think you have given me the solution. I didn't think of using the subtract shape option on the text. I will try it and let you know if it works. Thanks.

 

[blueark]

Sorry about that - I misread your post and didn't realize what you were trying to do! Compound paths are the answer, and using the Subtract pathfinder is the easiest way to do this, as Triska post explains.

Manually creating compound paths can sometimes cause problems, although reversing the path direction in the attributes palette will usually solve this. Also, as noted above, you will have to give up editable text by creating outlines.

 

[Eggles]

blueark - sorry to take so long to get back to you - I haven't been able to access Tek-Tips for two whole days. I haven't yet had a chance to get back to Illustrator to try Triskas and your suggestions, but hope to get some time soon.

 

[Eggles]

OK - I did it!! Managed to get the text punched out so that it was transparent. After converting text to outlines, grouping and ensuring they were on top of the box behind, I selected both the text and box and used 'Minus Front'. Thanks to you both.