Confusion with making EPS files from CS

[Joseph_Loverti@adobeforums.com]

Every time I make an EPS file in CS the result is a file that includes the whole work area. Even if I apply crops to a particular section of the page. I still get an EPS that contains not only the page but the entire work area. In Freehand, EPS's are made only of the page you're working on or only of items which are selected. I'm an Illustrator rookie, but I've used Freehand for a number of years.

[Doug_Katz@adobeforums.com]

You want to MASK the area for the EPS.

[Wade_Zimmerman@adobeforums.com]

Object>Crop Area> make will crop to the page dimensions if you have nothing selected. If you draw a rectangle around the object that you want to isolate and make a crop area it there are other objects in the back or for grounds hide them in the layers palette.

[Gary_Newman@adobeforums.com]

Wade, I’m afraid Illustrator’s EPS files don’t respect the Crop Area. Everything in a file gets saved to the EPS, regardless of crop areas or where it is on the artboard.

What you need to do, Joseph, is read the part of the manual (or the Help file) that covers making masks (as Doug said).

[Joseph_Loverti@adobeforums.com]

I 've tried the Object>Crop Area> suggestion. It works for tifs and jpegs etc. but not for EPS files. The mask solution may be the key, but the help files aren't very clear on how to do it. Thanks for your suggestions.

[Wade_Zimmerman@adobeforums.com]

My mistake as when you place it in ID it places as if where cropped to the area and and only if you select the direct select tool in ID can you move it about within the mask. I suspect that if you mask it it would have the same result in ID anyway.

In Quark you would be I guess a different story.

But you are correct. I just assumed one would want it this way but I mostly work in ID.

Clipping mask: draw a rectangle or other shape on top of the object(s) select all the you wish masked by that shape go to Object Clipping Mask>Make

You can make your clipping mask shape using the pen tool or pencil or any other path creation tool. Co it can be a contour of the shape that you are clipping.

There are other tricks as well Gary is the boss with this one.

[Joseph_Loverti@adobeforums.com]

I'm a little less confused. Why is this basic and essential function not documented well in the on-line help?? Here's what I did: Draw a rectangle around the object on the page that you want to create an EPS. From the Layers Palatte (it doesn't work from the pull-down menu) click on the "make/release clipping paths button -- Everything on the page disappears exept the object you've drawn the box around. Then "save as" an eps extention. The resulting file will place OK in both ID and Quark. Except in ID there's a white background I don't know how to get rid of. In Quark it's easy, you just fill the box with "none" and the background goes transparent, letting colors and objects that are behind show through.

[Gary_Newman@adobeforums.com]

"Everything on the page disappears exept the object you've drawn the box around."

Isn't that what you wanted?

If you're going to use the file in InDesign, it does not have to be an EPS. InDesign likes native Illustrator files (.ai).

[Wade_Zimmerman@adobeforums.com]

It doesn't matter he can use EPS in ID he might be using them in both applications anyway in ID make sure you have High Quality selected for the Preview Options either
under Object >Display or View >Display.

You should know this by now. This is well documented.

[Wade_Zimmerman@adobeforums.com]

BTW you seem to be complaining more than actually be asking for assistance, just an observation!

[Joseph_Loverti@adobeforums.com]

What may sound like complaining is only my frustration with Adobe's 'help' utility not being clearer. I've only been using Illustrator for one week -- it's quite a bit different than Freehand (a program I've used a lot). I'm a rookie, as I stated earlier. You are correct that I want to make EPS's that will import into several applications -- not only ID. Thanks for your helpful suggestions!!

[Wade_Zimmerman@adobeforums.com]

Yes that is quite understandable keep in mind when ever I take a look at Freehand I often go a bit strange myself because lots of thing s seem different.