Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 1/6/2009

Question
Regarding creating outline for an image inserted into AI --While waiting for answer to my previous question I discovered that if I had in image selected in AI a menu bar appeared at the top of my screen containing several options - one was Embed and one was Mask - it seems that I could create an outline via either of these 2 methods as I could choose stroke and enter a width for it - an outline does appear around the image when I do this - my question is can this also work and is there an advantage /disadvantage to "embed" the image - it seems a tad simpler than the method you just sent me.  also you mention InDesign - why would this be better done in ID - I do have that program.

Thank you in advance

Answer
Hi Kathleen,

Masking will allow you to add a stroke to an image, but adds a mask over you image that you will need to change when you resize your image.

Regarding embedding - this will increase your file size significantly. If you have a 2 mb file placed in your doc, then you embed it, you have added that 2 mb to your overall file size. Depending on the size files you are working with, this could become an issue for memory, redrawing, etc. so be aware of file sizes before you start embedding.

I normally do not embed files since they do not move from my hard drive until a project is done.

Thanks

Kevin