| |
|
|
Images
With Embedded Clipping Paths In QuarkXPress™ |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Prior to version 4.0 the only way a clipping path could be
used is if the image was saved as an EPS file with a clipping
path. In version 4.x there are a couple of new things regarding
clipping paths. First, Quark™ recognizes embedded clipping
paths in formats other than EPS. Second, Quark can create
a clipping path whether or not one is embedded within the
image.
1. It was a surprise to me when I placed a TIFF image into
one of my documents and part of it wasn't showing (!). In
the screen shot below I was seeing an image like the upper
one, but it was supposed to be showing like the lower one.
Clearly, something was amiss. I called Quark tech support
and they explained what was going on. A TIFF image could have
an embedded path! If there was, Quark would recognize it when
the image is imported into a picture box.
2. To use or clear an embedded path select the picture box
and click Item > Clipping (or Item > Modify,
then click the "Clipping" tab). In the example below, the
clipping path is visible as a green outline around the image.
To clear it, click the "Type" pull down. You will see "Embedded
Path" if there is one. The name of the clipping path is accessed
by the "Path" pulldown. Here you can see the name of the path
is "Path 1". There can be more than one path embedded and
each has its own name.
3. Change the Type from "Embedded Path" to "Item", and the
clipping path will clear.
4. If you need a clipping path where there is none, Quark
can create one for you. This is especially handy for images
with white backgrounds. Click Item > Clipping to
bring up the "Modify" dialog. Then in the "Type" pulldown,
choose "Non-White Areas".
Note: Quark can also create a clipping path from an alpha
channel. Many times images with knocked out backgrounds will
have a selection mask saved as an alpha channel.
5. In the example below, the threshold tolerance was set to
zero, the smoothness set to .5 points and then the "Rescan"
button was clicked to regenerate the path.
6. The resulting clipping path is quite good and will work
in a pinch.
|
|
