why do my pantones turn to cmyk when i save as eps?

[gerald_armstrong@adobeforums.com]

why do my pantones turn to cmyk when i save as eps? i have been doing the same thing for 2 years and never had a problem before.

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

Are you backsaving the eps file?

Are you sure the elements are spot? (print seps within Illustrator to check)

Are you using any effects on a spot colored element that causes the element to be cmyk? Blurrs, 3d without preserve spot color and such.

You will need to describe the element in detail and your settings when saving if you would like to avoid playing 20 questions. :)

[gerald_armstrong@adobeforums.com]

When saving the same file as .AI there is no problem
but when saving the same file as an .eps the problem occurs
the file itself has no effects, gradients or transparencies, etc.
We've tried testing a file with two simple pantone blocks of colour
and the same thing happens.

The program version is ILL V.10 for the Mac

Has anybody heard of any bugs relating to this problem...

[lee_vickers@adobeforums.com]

Are you opening the EPS file back up in AI?

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

How are you determining that there is no problem saving as a .ai file?

Are you save as a version 10 eps file?

Forget your file for the moment, create a new document with only one rectangle element filled with a spot swatch. Make sure that NO effects are applied, you do NOT flatten artwork before saving or do anything else to it but save as a version 10 eps file.

Now, determine if that test file retains the spot color.

If your results convert to process, the you have a problem with your installed version. If it retains spot color, then your original file contains a element that does not support spot color or you backsaving it to a version that does not support a feature you used in the image.

It is not a bug with Illustrator 10. (English version)

[Dee Holmes]

Did you try trashing your Illlustrator preferences?

[Dee Holmes]

I have tried to reproduce this from AI9 in Window XP everywhichway, but can not.

What system do you have? What version AI and how are you saving the file?