Expert: Amy - 7/19/2006

Question
i place one image RGB and through color mode i change it to CMYK is it right procedure for converting file or image  RGB to CMYK for process printing. When we take complex image its quite difficult to manage when we mask it in one box because of its outer surface its suppose we put one image in on quare box the image get mask but its actual area is come in to display. how we can mask in perfect square like corel (Corel. place inside the container).

Answer
HI Saleem,

You wrote: i place one image RGB and through color mode i change it to CMYK is it right procedure for converting file or image  RGB to CMYK for process printing.

    That will work but a better way to do it is to convert the image to CMYK in PhotoShop, adjust its levels and curves as necessary and then place it into Illustrator. That way, you have more control over the results.

You wrote: When we take complex image its quite difficult to manage when we mask it in one box because of its outer surface its suppose we put one image in on quare box the image get mask but its actual area is come in to display. how we can mask in perfect square like corel (Corel. place inside the container).

     You didn't mention what type of objects are contained in the image you want to mask, but I will assume they are all vector objects. To completely mask a complex image like this, you should:

1. GROUP all the objects in the complex image.
2. Create the square shape you want to use for the mask.
3. Make sure the square is IN FRONT of the complex image.
4. Select the square AND the complex image and select Ctrl+7 (or Object>Clipping Mask>Make).

If this does not work, please let me know.

Good luck
Amy Pace