Why isn't my background transparent?

[jdentinger webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

It's been a long time since I've used Freehand. Last version I used was FH8. I'm now working with FHMX.
With FH8, I used to be able to save a vector file (created from scratch) as an editable eps and when I'd bring it into a page layout program like Quark, I wouldn't have a background to the image.
When I try the same thing in FHMX, I get an annoying white box behind my image. I've tried exporting to various formats, as well as saving as an editable eps.

What am I doing wrong?

I'm on a PC, if that matters.

[Wes Rand]

"jdentinger" [email]webforumsuser@macromedia.com[/email] wrote:

> It's been a long time since I've used Freehand. Last version I used
> was FH8. I'm now working with FHMX. With FH8, I used to be able to
> save a vector file (created from scratch) as an editable eps and when
> I'd bring it into a page layout program like Quark, I wouldn't have a
> background to the image. When I try the same thing in FHMX, I get an
> annoying white box behind my image. I've tried exporting to various
> formats, as well as saving as an editable eps.
>
> What am I doing wrong?
>
> I'm on a PC, if that matters.

What program are you importing the Freehand EPS into?

[jdentinger webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

I'm bringing the image into QuarkXpress 6.

[darrel]

> I'm bringing the image into QuarkXpress 6.

Are you using any raster effects like drop shadows in FH?

-Darrel

[jdentinger webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

>Are you using any raster effects like drop shadows in FH?

Nope. Not a single effect. It's just straight vector art.

[Wes Rand]

"jdentinger" [email]webforumsuser@macromedia.com[/email] wrote:

>>Are you using any raster effects like drop shadows in FH?

>
>
> Nope. Not a single effect. It's just straight vector art.
>
>

We don't have Quark 6 here so I can't testify to it working well with
Freehand. Have you tried printing your file? I remember older Quarks not
displaying transparency of Freehand files well. Otherwise there should
be no background other than what you've drawn.

[laihuattan webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

PC don't support viewing transparent eps with clipping path on SCREEN, but it will print out fine.

For Quark 5 you will see the white background, but when the image is sent to laser printer it will be transparent.

[jdentinger webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

Thanks all.

I made a PDF of the file and background wasn't there. Our postscript printer is on the fritz so I guess I'll have to wait on that test.

I guess I'll just have to live with the white background on screen. Gonna make things a little more difficult when the logo is reversed, but doesn't look like there's much I can do about that.

More fuel for the "I need a Mac" fire, eh? :-)