Can a Picture Clipping Be Converted to an EPS Format?

The hardest thing an editor faces is that once he has painstakingly worked on the clipping path process and got the final result he is unable to convert it to an eps file. It’s like kicking the elephant forward but the tail is stuck for good! 

When an edited picture refuses to budge from the editing table, it can prove to be a frustrating experience. Ask any editor; he may have faced this problem often in his early days of working as a clipping path specialist.  If you are already familiar with the difference between the clipping path and clipping mask, then we can just move on to the main theme-converting the picture to the desirable format. Now this refers to Photoshop files that can easily be imported to the Illustrator. If like this professional editor you are using the X Pro, Photoshop software 7 and Illustrator No.9 then this information can be really useful.

Why does this confusion happen at all in the first place? Clients give their pictures in Jpeg, Bitmap, TIF or any format. They are really not very literate when it comes to choosing the format and how they should send it to the editor. The editor knows in what format it comes and if it needs picture clipping. This actually sets the tone for the work. He also has to keep in mind what software to use for editing and the operating system of the computer. Probably a Mac user will have to follow different instructions compared to an X pro user. There is other software apart from Photoshop. If an editor works on Illustrator, the game changes. Hence, even if he sails through the editing in a jiffy, he is stuck while converting the file, which is the last thing to do when it needs to be sent to the client.

Why is EPS a more accepted format after picture clipping? It is open-ended and allows provision for further edits if the client needs some last minute changes. All over the world, this format is acceptable in all internet-related images, digital media work, e-commerce and websites.

And now for the conversion-If an editor works on the Illustrator he may run into rough weather if a bitmap picture needs transparency. A .psd file in Illustrator that is troubling and needs immediate attention.  Instead of the picture all he gets is a white silhouette. The foggy white mask covers the final edit. He needs to remove it otherwise the entire picture clipping is rendered useless. There are only two choices for him-to use a clipping path or a clipping mask. If the picture has the hard edge then a ‘path’ is sketched. A pen tool is fine for the same. The final picture has an outline, which needs to be concealed with a mask. This means once the outline is masked, all the stuff outside the ‘path’ will be transparent when it is being imported to the Illustrator. When the outline has been done, choose clipping path from the pop out menu. Ensure that this menu says it is a clipping path and you have not chosen anything else from the palette! As you see the indication simply save the picture as an EPS file.

TIP: Use the pen tool in Illustrator to make a clipping path with the picture behind it.

Reflection Shadow - Interpreting Photos More Easily!

Reflection shadow is one more extension of making an image multi-dimensional. It adds depth to the main object. It can also create an illusion of expansion and vastness in a small space. Used in imaging during post processing, it rustles up wonderful visuals.

No matter where one goes, the shadow follows and so does a reflection if there is any. If children play with shadow, the elders are but concerned about the reflection. It makes one realize who the person one is. In a way it is a way one keeps touch with reality. The same holds true for images as well. When bereft of reflection and shadow, it loses touch with reality. It fails to generate the viewer’s interest. But with reflection and shadow viewers can hardly take their eyes off from the image. Digital photo manipulation software has made it easier to take the images to the next level where they are close to reality. The 3D interpretation is but one of revolutionizing step.

 The idea is to create an illusion. With Photoshop becoming so ubiquitous, many users try the effect on many kinds of editing projects. But for starters, it is very natural to make some mistakes while doing it without realizing it. But the same cannot be said about the online galleries of e-commerce customers. Here, even simple mistakes may evoke embarrassment or reduced buyers. It is a grim prospect for virtual business. The idea is to create a very strong visual impact something as strong as the physical tracks. If one succeeds in doing so, the products won’t take long before they fly off the shelves.

Reflection and shadow are two different effects. They can be applied together or individually. The choice should be aesthetically made. As said earlier, the aim is to create a visual effect. So, it is important to judge the kind of visual effects, which is best, suited. The shadow is a grey shape, which is placed beneath the image. But that is a very basic approach to shadows. In actuality, experienced editors are doing so much with the shadow effect. Be it the shape, color, position and the impact, their innovations always bring up something new. In fact, viewers are now accustomed to seeing shadow effects on most products they want to buy. They are attracted if they find some twist in it.

The much-coveted twist can be reflection shadow for the buyer. As the name suggests, it is kind of digital effects, which has the impact of both reflection and shadow. It needs special expertise to club the two effects in proper manner. It must be noted that both work the best against white or light colored background. The correct positioning of the two, earns the image its credentials. Though it is simple software guided task, but there is always risk of overdoing the effect. Further, this kind of effect suits only selective images.

Why just be limited with images? The reflection shadow can be applied to texts as well. Texts do not only convey messages, they can also be used as medium of visual appeal. Applying the reflection shadow to texts is not same. In case of texts, the effect has to be introduced separately for each letter. Creating reflection for some is letters is simpler than other. It is easy for ‘T’ but the same for ‘Y’ needs a special attention.  Further, the effects should match with each other when the letters are placed one after another.