Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 12/20/2009

Question
Kevin:
I use an iMac 2ghz intel core 2 duo, photoshop CS 8.0.  I am having problems trying to use clipping path to create a transparent background.  I am designing a wine label in Illustrator and I have a photo of grapes that I want to delete some of the background and make it transparent so that I can superimpose it onto another photo of a vineyard.  I followed all of the instructions in the photoshop "help" site but when I move the clipped photo to illustrator the area that I thought was transparent isn't.  When I superimpose the grapes photo over the vineyard photo, the background still is not transparent.  I appreciate your help.  Ron


Answer
Hi Ron,

Lets start at the beginning. When you created your path in Photoshop, did you save it as a specific Clipping Path in the Paths Menu?

Next, did you save this image as a .eps file (which supports clipping paths in CS)?

When you moved your image to illustrator, did you use the Place command?

If you did all of the above and it still shows up with a background, try this>>>

Place your eps file into your illustrator file. Then in Photoshop, select your path using the path selection tool. Go to file>Export>Paths to Illustrator and save the AI file.

Then go to Illustrator and open this file. Copy and paste this path into your file with the image and position it in place over your photo.

Next select your photo and this path, and go to Object>Clipping Mask>Make

This should clip out your image.

Thanks

Kevin