Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 2/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: When I open an image in photoshop, delete the background or white space
save and then place the image into Illustrator the white space is still showing
up. Meaning I can not delete the background color and then place the image I
have edited on top of object I have created in illustrator. Am I doing this
wrong, is there another way?
Thank you,

ANSWER: Hi Gina,

Your object has to be on its own layer and the background turned off. Which means this also has to be a .psd or .tif document to support transparency.

Thanks

Kevin



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

QUESTION: That's what I have been doing, but when I open it in Illustrator it as if I never did. So say my image when I open it has a white box aroung it. I select and delete the white space so I only have round image on a transparent background. I save as both a psd and tif then open in Illustrator. Suddenly boom the white box is back, so I can't place it on another picture or vector that I have created wihtout the ugly white box appearing.
I don't know, I'm at a loss.
Sorry, and Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Gina,

I have recreated your question without problem. So the only thing I can come up with is to make sure you do not have a background layer at all. This eliminates any chance of a background showing up. When you save out your file you have a "layer 1" and no background.

Next do not open this in Illustrator, Place it. File>place.

It could also be a version issue. What version of Photoshop and Illustrator are you running?

Kevin




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

QUESTION: Yeah, that's what I am afraid of. I have tried placing it as well. I am running AI CS3 and Photoshop CS 3 Extended on a Leopard based Mac.

Answer
Thats what I am running and did it in one shot.

Heres what I did step by step, you may be missing something.

Create a new file in Photoshop. Letter, CMYK color.

Double click the background image to create "layer 0"

Select all and delete the white background from Layer 0, leaving you with a transparent layer.

Paint some squiggles. on layer 0

Save this as a native photoshop document.

Go to Illustrator, create a new document.

Place the Photoshop file in Illustrator.

Create a colored box and arrange it behind the placed image.

It will be transparent except for your squiggles.

Do the same steps except open your original file and erase what you dont want.

Kevin