Separating spot colors with transparency

[M_Morris@adobeforums.com]

I have a 2-color job (PMS 471 and PMS 4695) and I need to overlap those two colors with transparency (opacity) settings. I also need to have a drop shadow flow across part of these two colors and would like to set it to "Multiply" so the dark brown shadow will blend with color beneath it. I can create the file in Illustrator, but when I output it to separate it converts to cmyk. I'm still using AI 9 (but could probably upgrade if there's time) and placing the file in Quark 6.
Thanks for any help.

[Wade_Zimmerman@adobeforums.com]

I'm not sure this will work as a spot color job! perhaps some one disagrees with me!

[LRK@adobeforums.com]

Would it be a problem to place all elements on separate layers, export to Photoshop and create channels for your spot colors, ending up a with DSC2 file? I would probably feel more comfortable doing it this way with something as complex as you are describing... and the amount of overlapping with transparancy, shadows, etc.

That is, if you are familiar and comfortable with working in Channels. You would be pasting an effect in one channel and deleting it from another. Then where there is a two color gradient you might temporatily create a separate duotone document to work in, followed by pasting it's converted channels into your channels. This all has to be done in the right order.

Sorry... I think I might be sounding confusing... If you attempt to do this and need help I will help you at on the Photoshop side.

Linda

[JasonSmith@adobeforums.com]

John Kallios probably has a workaround, but this is how this hack(me) would approach it:

Make your Pantone 471 elements Cyan, and make the Pantone 4695 elements Black. Whatever color you want your shadow, assign it as either Cyan or Black.

Output the job, tell the printer that Cyan prints as Pantone 471, and Black prints as Pantone 4695.

[M_Morris@adobeforums.com]

Thanks, that's something I haven't tried. I've never used spot channels in Photoshop, but I think it's time to learn.

[M_Morris@adobeforums.com]

I have substituted c, m, y, and k for spot colors before, but this client wants to see what the colors are going to look like on the finished piece (on screen), and I was hoping to avoid creating two separate files.

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

JasonSmith's is the easiest way to approach this but as you mentioned, you need the preview to be accurate.

Workaround.

(Note as to why the need for the workaround: Illustrator does not have the ability to make a dropshadow out of a spot color and remain spot color)

If the shadow has no blurred applied to it, seperate the shadow from the rest of the elements and colorize to the desired spot color.

If blur is applied, make the shadow out of the black swatch and separate it from the other elements.

Make a rectangle filled with the desired spot color the same size as the shadow placed directly in back of the shadow. Select both and apply inverted opacity mask from the transparency palette. You now have a shadow that will preview and output correctly.

When any Illustrator eps is placed into Xpress, make sure the pms name matches exactly in Xpress. Xpress tends to munch the spot color name thus creating havoc when trying to use a composite workflow from Xpress. This is even more of a problem with Xpress 6.

[Brian_Battles@adobeforums.com]

If you go to Pshop make sure you save the file correctly or it will not work. A tiff file will not work, it will be recognized as a process color job. There is a tutorial in Adobe's Classroom in a Book, but you may find other sources for instructions on how to accomplish it properly. Finally, spot colors are created in channels, not layers. It is a little tricky, and you have to understand channels well enough, but it should work. But like someone else mentioned, it is time Adobe catches up with one of the few great things Quark has done, and that is create the Multi-color capabilities.

[Ann_Shelbourne@adobeforums.com]

<< it is time Adobe catches up with one of the few great things Quark has done, and that is create the Multi-color capabilities. >>

They did. It's called InDesign CS.
Just another reason why you wasted your money by buying QXP6.

:~?