Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 3/21/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have created a map in AI with various shades of backgrounds and white lines in a layer on top of the large shaded areas for streets. It is saved as an EPS file. When I pull the file into Quark or convert it to a Photoshop JPEG the white lines have disappeared. They are set up for opacity 100% so I don't know why they disappeared in the other applications. This is AI and PS CS3 and Quark 8.

Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Judy,

When you convert to a jpg file, you are losing quality. If you lines are small in point size, they may be too thin to show up depending on the resolution you are choosing. I would keep these as eps files to maintain quality.

If the lines are disappearing in the eps file I would suggest checking your layers to make sure they are visible and are not set as a non-printing layer.


Thanks

Kevin

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

QUESTION: The lines are 5 points wide, so they are not thin. They were in black originally and showed up. Some have been copied and pasted in front and changed to a .75 point magenta line and those are showing up. The white lines are specified at 0% black and I am wondering if that is part of the trouble. For example, if black is set to overprint somewhere should I try 0% of some other color? Is there a way to make them 100% white?

Answer
Hi Judy,

Yes, if you have your lines at 0% Black and have items set to overprint black, those lines will disappear. My suggestion is to not change your overprint settings and revert them back to normal. You could create a spot color of white if you need to keep Black overprinting.

Thanks

Kevin