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IntruderVS800 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 01:14 PM

Ok, having alot of problems with InDesign Drop Shadows.

We are having the same problem on both our Macs and PCs with InDesign and drop shodows that are supposed to overprint a background color, either CMYK or a spot color.

Out of InDesign, we create a .ps file to drop into Preps for imposition.
Then it is RIPed to a Xitron RIP, for direct to plate output.

We have tried creating a .pdf file, but that too also comes out bad. It looks correct in .pdf format, but then going thru our RIP the drop shadow always knocks out the color behind it instead of overprinting.

We even exported the ID file as an .eps file, saved it as an Illus. .eps, and droped that into Quark, with no luck.

Tee only luck we have had with drop shadows is with CMYK jobs.
We create a .pdf file, and then just rasterize it in PS, and then it works.

So.... does anyone have any ideas?
Is it InDesign, is it the way drop shadows are created, is it our Xitron RIP?

We are looseing desktop time, not to mention press time by the hour.
And as we all know, the higher-ups dont understand our problems. They just think that every computer file should work no problem.

Thanks
Scott

jimking · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 01:51 PM

What version are you using? I've heard somewhere that Indesign CS2 has a bug in it that pertains to creating drop shadows. I think the person having problems used a older version of Indesign to correct the problem. Check the threads out in (prepress forums)

bigdog3580 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 03:34 PM

We have no problems with shadows as long as everything is CMYK. If it has to overprint a spot color then we have to turn the file to CMYK. You know 455=Magenta 285=Cyan. We use a Agfa apogee rip. The last place i worked had Brisque 4 and it was the same deal. Make sure your background is set to CMYK, not spot and try that.

Hope this helps,
bigdog3580

DCurry · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 05:17 PM

I can get black drop shadows to overprint spots in CS2 on Brisque 4 and PS/M 7 --- no problemo!

Couple of things to check - make sure the shadow is set to Multiply, and on your rip you may have to enable PostScript Overprint.

tequillajane · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2005, 07:45 AM

We had a job a while back, that was 2 colors, black and 485Red, and they had a drop shadow around a photo. However, the shadow was over another image in the design. It broke down to CMYK for the shadow area, and we ended up recreating the shadow and artwork in Photoshop and making it all 1 peice.
CMYK jobs have had no problems, just the spot ones...
After some research, I did find that in CS2 we should be able to define a spot color in the shadow and have it separate correctly. I just havent had the opportunity to try it yet. Maybe if I get some of that Uh.. sparetime, I'll run some trials and let you know what I find.

David · #6 (**permalink**) 09-06-2005, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntruderVS800

... having the same problem on both our Macs and PCs with InDesign and drop shodows that are supposed to overprint a background color, either CMYK or a spot color.

Out of InDesign, we create a .ps file to drop into Preps for imposition.
Then it is RIPed to a Xitron RIP, for direct to plate output.

We have tried creating a .pdf file, but that too also comes out bad. It looks correct in .pdf format, but then going thru our RIP the drop shadow always knocks out the color behind it instead of overprinting.

Is it InDesign, is it the way drop shadows are created, is it our Xitron RIP?

And as we all know, the higher-ups dont understand our problems. They just think that every computer file should work no problem.

Thanks
Scott

What you're seeing is InDesign's attempt to flatten the transparency on the shadow and the image.

This has been discussed before,
Check out this thread.

Hope it helps,
David

DesignHouse · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2005, 11:56 PM

I am a work from home guy ? no RIPs to worry about but I come from a background when pre-press was called repro! ? but dosn't making a PDF 1.4 flatten the image so that the transparency is out of the equation?
I would like to hear any comments on this.
:?: javascript:emoticon(':?:')

David · #8 (**permalink**) 09-09-2005, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesignHouse

I am a work from home guy ? no RIPs to worry about but I come from a background when pre-press was called repro! ? but dosn't making a PDF 1.4 flatten the image so that the transparency is out of the equation?

REPRO!!!
you must be at least as old as me! LOL

PDF 1.4 does flatten to some degree. Not as much as v1.3.

From Adobe Quote:
If a document contains transparent objects, Acrobat flattens the document before printing it. Flattening removes transparency information and converts images to a format the printer can interpret.

Here is a Link to Adobes "Guide to Transparency". Check out page 3 about the flattening process.

hope this helps,
David

DesignHouse · #9 (**permalink**) 09-09-2005, 08:33 AM

Could be! but looking at your picture I am better looking and I CAN hold my booze

David · #10 (**permalink**) 09-09-2005, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesignHouse

Could be! but looking at your picture I am better looking and I CAN hold my booze

Yeah, the graphic doesn't do me justice...
I'm not really that thin...

and you know what they say,
you don't buy beer, you rent it.
8O

or in my case, margaritas!

Cheers, it's FRIDAY