Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 6/26/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Kevin
I've created a logo in CS2. All type has been converted to outline and has a drop
shadow. All is on a transparent background. When I bring the Illustrator file into
InDesign (CS2) everything is fine - all appears on a transparent background. But
when I save the Illustrator file as an eps and then bring that eps into an InDesign
document there are white boxes under the different elements. How to I keep the
transparency on the eps?

Thanks, in anticipation.

A.



ANSWER: HI Alan,

The issue is your drop shadows. First, you need to go back to your native AI file. Create the shadows using the effects menu, not the filter menu. (Filter creates a white background). Next, under the effects menu, go to Document Raster Effects Settings and make sure the background is transparent.

That should take care of it, although ID CS2 is known for having issues with converting transparencies when creating PDFs and EPS files. Not sure why you couldnt create the whole thing in AI if needed.

Thanks

Kevin




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Kevin

Thanks for the quick response.

The way you say it should be done is just how I did it, but still the white boxes.

As you say I can use the AI file in InDesign, but often clients want an eps version and it's
more usual to receive eps files on jobs, rather than Illustrator documents. It's also
frustrating when everything looks set up just right and then it doesn't work!

Regards

Alan  

Answer
Hi Alan,

Im wondering what you are doing in InDesign and not just saving this out as an .eps from Illustrator...

Help me understand the job, the way it sounds now, you are just placing the AI file into Indesign to output an eps.

Thanks

Kevin