Issue

I create a clipping path in Photoshop, save the file as an EPS, and place the EPS into FreeHand. However, the placed EPS image contains an opaque background and I cannot edit the path.

Solution

The solution to this problem requires the use of the Photoshop clipping path and the original EPS or TIFF image.

To create the Clipping Path file do the following:

1. Open your TIFF or EPS image in Photoshop.
2. Open the Path palette and create the path. Save the path by double-clicking on the Work Path name in the palette.
3. Choose the Clipping Path command from the palette menu.
4. Under the File menu, Choose Export. Select the Paths to Illustrator option. Name the file and make sure the Write portion of the dialog box shows your named path. (Make sure the name of the path shows up in an outline font. If a normal font appears, you are not exporting the clipping path.) This step creates an Illustrator document which can be opened in FreeHand.

To use the Clipping Path in FreeHand do the following:

1. Using FreeHand, open the Illustrator file containing the Clipping Path. (Be sure to open the file instead of placing or importing it.)
2. Select All from the Edit Menu or use Cmd-A (Mac)/Ctl-A (Win). Give the selected objects a black stroke in the Color List. ( If your opened file contains crop marks in addition to the clipping path, simply delete the crop marks.)
3. Select All and Group the object.
4. Use the Place/Import command under the File menu and place the original EPS or TIFF file. Send the image to the back from the Arrange menu or use Cmd-B (Mac)/Ctl-B (Win).
5. Select the clipping path and move it so that it outlines the corresponding object in the background image.
   This may require that you magnify the image using the zoom tool to get exact placement.
6. Press the Tab key and then select the background image. Cut the image using the Edit menu or use Cmd-X (Mac)/Ctl-X (Win).
7. Select the clipping path. Paste Inside using the Edit menu or use Cmd-Shift-V (Mac)/Ctl-Shift-V (Win).
   You are now able to manipulate the points on the clipping path to include more or less of the original image.
8. Select All and Group the object so that you are able to move the object freely within the page.

Additional tips

• After you complete the steps above, the finished object may appear to have jagged edges. To make the edges smoother, experiment with the Flatness option in Photoshop. This option appears in the dialog box when you create a Clipping Path. (Refer to Step 3 in "Creating the Clipping Path file".)
• If you plan to use this method, and use the finished object with other elements in your FreeHand document, (such as other images or text) it is recommended that you complete these steps first. Another option would be to complete these steps in a different FreeHand document, then copy/paste into the final document.
• It is important to note that Photoshop clipping paths should be created using images from a file format that FreeHand supports. This is vital since you will need to place the original image into FreeHand.

Products affected