[jayman2143]

Alright so I have been at this for about 2 hours now and I think I am on the edge of going insaneeee

I am trying to get used to doing separations in Photoshop. I am testing this out with a vector graphic that I grabbed off the internet. I opened the graphic in illustrator (don't exactly know why ). I then tried to move the graphic over to Photoshop to separate but the image is pixelated in Photoshop. No re-sizing or any change is size was done in Photoshop which is why I am so confused.

I tried printing out a transparency to see if the pixels would show and they do! What am I doing wrong here?!!?

 

[FrankSensei]

I really don't know if I'm going to be able to help. But to have any chance, I'll need some information.

What versions of PS and AI are you using?
Did you try to open to file directly in PS; and, if so, what happened?

Precisely how did you "move" the graphic from AI to PS?

I believe that in all the newer versions of AI and PS, when you drag a graphic from AI to PS, the graphic will be a "smart object" and can be re-sized without becoming pixelated.

But once I understand what you did, I'll try to reproduce the effect and see if I can figure out what's going on.

 

[jayman2143]

Both AI and PS are part of the CS4 package that I have.

I have not tried to open the graphic directly in PS because, from what I know, AI is more common when it comes to vectors than PS is. When I download the vector graphic from one of those free vector sites, it automatically opens up in AI.

For moving the graphic, I have tried copying and pasting from AI to PS and exporting the image into PS. Both of those resulted in the image being pixelated when zoomed in on the image.

I am using this image:

2nd American Revolution - Free Vector Art - Download Free Vector Art Graphics at Vecteezy!

 

[Rodney]

:: edited thread TITLE to be more descriptive ::​

 

[FrankSensei]

The reason the file opens in AI is that it is an EPS. Photoshop does not open EPS files, but AI does.

I'm using the CS3 versions of AI and PS. That should make no difference.

When I opened the file, AI told me that it was a legacy file that needed to be updated. Did you update the file? If not, that could be the problem.

I opened the file in AI. I then copied and pasted it into PS with no problems at all. The file doesn't look pixelated at all. I'm certain that it would print perfectly.

If you want me to save the file in PS format, I'll do that and send it to you. Aside from the legacy format, I have no idea what the problem is.

I tried all sorts of different sizes and resolutions to mess things up and it always worked perfectly.

Sorry I couldn't figure it out, but I'll send you the file if you want it. Just PM me.

But now I'm off to have samosas with my wife.

 

[jayman2143]

I followed the steps you did and the image did look clear when I pasted it into PS. Although, when I went to do the separations, that is when the image became distorted. Maybe I am doing the separations wrong?

To separate, I was doing:

Select > Color Range

I would then select one of the colors, such as red in the image that I provided. I would then invert the selection and save it as a new channel.

That is when the image would appear to be very pixelated.

 

[FrankSensei]

I don't understand why you would take that approach. Perhaps, I don't understand the process you're planning on using. (As I said before, I'm totally new to this type of printing.)

By the way, I'm using Windows. If you're using Mac, things might be a little different.

For printing, as opposed to web graphics, I use CMYK Color mode (Image - Mode). When I place the graphic into PS, I have a Vector Smart Object. You can then go straight to channels, which will give you a CMYK channel and each separate color channel. You can find channels on the fly-out dialogue box on the right side of the screen residing next to layers. You can also find channels in the Window drop down on the top bar.

Unclick the CMYK channel and all of the other channels will automatically unclick. Now select whichever channel you want and you have that color alone.

Is this not what you want?

When I do this, the graphic looks perfect.

Frank

 

[red514]

I often take vector designs and do the separation in photoshop. It's best to export the file from illustrator rather then open it directly in photoshop (you'll have more control this way).
Open your vector file in your vector program, size up the design to the actual print size.
*note: i always make an empty (no properties) square around my design, slightly larger. this is because often the design will be cropped extremely tight and this gives you some extra space to work with.
now we will export the design as a .PSD at 300 dpi with no antialiasing. 300dpi will give you visually smooth printed lines (lower dpi gives poor clarity, you can use higher dpi but it's often over kill (huge files too))
always work in RGB mode, not CMYK (unless you're doing a CMYK process separation).

 

[red514]

For moving the graphic, I have tried copying and pasting from AI to PS and exporting the image into PS. Both of those resulted in the image being pixelated when zoomed in on the image.[/url]

Photoshop is a bitmap editor, it's all pixels. The graphic should look clear at 100% zoom, zoom in closer and you see the pixels. It's best to always print out the file so you can see the actual image clarity and results. Image resolution is a big part of bitmap images, if your dpi is too low the image will look blocky, best to use 300 dpi or higher for a clean image.

 

[Pixelman]

Red said it well. That is exactly how I do my vector to Photoshop for seps. I think if you are getting a pixelated image it is all to do with resolution. Export at 300 and life is good.

 

[FrankSensei]

I was actually going to mention resolution, but I wasn't sure what the effect of changing the resolution would be. So I tested it.

Unfortunately, I made a protocol error in my testing. My original graphic was at 300 dpi. I tried higher resolutions and everything was perfect. I forgot to test lower resolutions. When I saw that the different resolutions (i.e., higher) were all fine, I didn't mention it.

Sigh. Live and learn.

 

[jayman2143]

Thank you guys for all of your help! I tried all of the advice that you guys have given and it seems to have worked! THe higher DPI and the different separation method definitely made a difference.

The printed out transparency still looks a little fuzzy when looked at really close but I don't think it is anything serious.

Thanks again!!!

 

[red514]

Thank you guys for all of your help! I tried all of the advice that you guys have given and it seems to have worked! THe higher DPI and the different separation method definitely made a difference.

The printed out transparency still looks a little fuzzy when looked at really close but I don't think it is anything serious.

Thanks again!!!

hmmmm... it shouldn't look 'fuzzy', a bit jagged on close inspection ya but not 'fuzzy'. 300dpi will have a bit of pixilation (jaggedness on smooth angled lines). If it's 'fuzzy' it could be that you are exporting using antialiasing, don't use antialiasing.

 

[MentinkiZM]

Already posted this today, but Ill post it here as well.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmspWZqbc2Q[/media]

This video I made for t-shirtforums.com a longgg time ago. Explains color separation in the best way I know how. Let me know if it helps.

 

[jayman2143]

Already posted this today, but Ill post it here as well.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmspWZqbc2Q[/media]

This video I made for t-shirtforums.com a longgg time ago. Explains color separation in the best way I know how. Let me know if it helps.

You have just solved all of my problems! I can not explain how informative your video was. Simple, right to the point, and extremely helpful!

By the way, I even said "BAM" every time i saved the selection

 

[MentinkiZM]

Lol. Good to see it helped.

Everyone can come on and say quickseps and fastfilms are needed, and they may be for gradient or complex designs. For a simple 2-5 color design, I have found the steps I posted work most of the time.

Thanks for watching the video and I am truly glad to pointed you in the right direction.

-Tim

 

[wormil]

If you have it, why not do the seps in Illustrator?

 

[MentinkiZM]

Im not experienced in illustrator so I dont know how to do seps in it. I have heard it can be easier, but me not knowing anything about the program just makes doing them in photoshop easier for me. Also, I make most of my designs in photoshop and I dont know how well they integrate with each other (I assume well with them both being made by adobe), but doing the design, the separating in the same program was how I started and have always done it. So that's why I personally do it that way.

 

[red514]

@Tim: Illustrator would be a great addition to your tools as a designer and artist. If you have time i'd recommend learning to use a vector program, it is much more technical and not as intuitive as photoshop but worth the time to learn it.
Think of photoshop as paint and a paint brush and illustrator as a pencil and ruler.

Photoshop and Illustrator work extremely well together.
When designing, i often start with illustrator and do the layout, size things up ect.. then export to photoshop to work on coloring and effects, texture ect..
The main thing with vectors is that you don't have to deal with resolution, you can size the design as needed without loss of clarity.