Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 7/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have an image that was downloaded from a website. When saved, copied or pasted, there is a white box in the background. I have Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & Indesign. How can i remove the white box in the background, & just select the photo? I am trying to create a template & when i open that photo, the white box surrounding it looks horrible because there is background color in the template. Thankyou for your time.

ANSWER: Hi Marketing,

You will need to use Photoshop to create a clipping mask around the image. This will remove the background when placed in InDesign.

You can use the pen tool (set to paths) and surround the image. Be sure to save the path in the paths palette and then activate it as a clipping path. You can save this as either a .psd doc or an .eps to ensure your path activation.

Also, be sure to check the resolution and make sure it is sufficient. Most images grabbed from the web are very low res.

Thanks

Kevin

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

QUESTION: Thankyou so much for your help! Unfortunately, i am not too experienced with this program. I tried to use the pen tool to surround the image. The freeform pen tool was the only one that would let me outline it. How do i activate the path to a clipping path? Once i tried to, when i opened the photo in InDesign, it was outlined but there was still a white box. If you could take me through the steps a bit more specifically i would appreciate it greatly. Thankyou so much!!

ANSWER: Hi Marketing,

Check your image color mode (image>Mode) and make sure it is RGB (or CMYK for print).

You should then be able to use the normal pen tool around your image. Either way...

Once you have your path created, go to the paths palette. Your path should be there in some form (work path, etc.) Double click that to save it as a normal path. Then select that path in the paths palette (so it is highlighted) and then go to the palette drop down menu. Choose clipping path and when the window pops up, select your path name and click ok (ignore flatness device).

Then you can save as a psd or eps.

Once placed in InDesign, if the path did not automatically activate, select the image and go to Object>clipping path. Once in the window, select Photoshop Path and turn on the preview. That should do it!

Thanks

Kevin

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

QUESTION: Hi Kevin,
   You were such a great help the last time. I have another question for you. I create a small magazine for my company. The files are in ADobe Indesign. We have to send the pages to the printer. The problem is my page is 8 1/2 by 11. I need to convert these pages so that they are on a page that is 5 1/2 by 8 1/2. I do not know how to do this. It will not let me group everything on the page & reduce the size to fit a smaller page. How do i make the template smaller without loosing resolution? Also it would be better if i could just convert the whole thing, but if not how do i copy & paste on to a new page size but then reduce the image inside the page? Thankyou so much!

Answer
Hi Marketing,

I would create a whole new template and drag contents over to the new size. The issue is when you reduce the page size that much, it leaves contents off the page completely and wont let you do it.

You never lose resolution in InDesign.

Thanks

Kevin