DCS 2 Files & Illustrator Errors

[CygnusS]

We are running Rampage V 8.3 - Our client creates multichannel DCS 2 files and places them in Illustrator with vectored art on top - In Illustrator v 8.0 document would be exported as an .eps and ran through Rampage without an issue (been doing it for years). Now our client has upgraded to Illustrator CS (Actually any Illustrator from 10 and up errors out the same) all the above is done but the rip errors out:

Error : Fatal Error : Cannot find plate PANTONE 280 CV data for DCS 2.0 single file
Error : If single-file DCS file has DOS preview, please resave without preview.
Error : Single-file DCS file cannot be included in the postscript file for this
Error : program. Use OPI (Omit eps files).
Error : Prescan error, return value = 6
Error : Bad INPUT file: format, version, etc"

We have tried to find a workaround and have even contacted Rampage on this issue - It has been narrowed down to a Illustrator 10 and above issue.
with linked dcs 2 files.

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

[jimking]

Have you tried saving those DCS files as eps and relink?

[CygnusS]

The DCS files are multi-channel 1-3 spot color created in Photoshop - to save as an .eps or even a .psd you would have to omit the spot channels and convert the file to process.

I have saved them as a multifile dcs2 and it WILL go through pre-scan but will error out in trap:

Error : Fatal Error: DCS 2.0 Cannot find Platefile entry for process color
Error : Black.
Error : Converting file to PostScript (Eps2ps) Error code %d 3

On this particular file there is no black channel in the dcs ??

[tmazzullo_splat]

AFAIK DCS2 Files cannot be placed in Illustrator as EPS files. Never have been able to from what I understand. Try resaving it in psd format and placing in Illy.

[macdevin]

Illustrator CS and CS 2 does not support DCS..

tmazzullo_splat is correct. do a PSD file.

Devin

[CygnusS]

Ive already tried to save as .psd (with spot) with multiple dsc2 files but Illustrator cs2 will not link or open the saved .psd - it errors to:

The file "filename.psd" is in an unknown format and cannot be opened.

The only way to convert truly to a readable .psd it to convert image mode - but as a multichannel file it must first be converted to grayscale... etc. I lose the multichannel info already present.

The only true workaround Ive found is to use Illustrator 8.0 - it works fine - But this is a huge delay we and who knows what could be lost in saving down effects - type engine - file size etc...

[ddbray]

When we see DCS2 file in AI we will make an AI eps minus the DCS2 file, Place the AI EPS into QXD or Indesign and the place the DCS2 file in QXD or Indesign. Now when you save the EPS for rampage DO NOT INCLUDE IMAGES. We have been using this method for years without any problems

[macdevin]

Originally Posted by ddbray

When we see DCS2 file in AI we will make an AI eps minus the DCS2 file, Place the AI EPS into QXD or Indesign and the place the DCS2 file in QXD or Indesign. Now when you save the EPS for rampage DO NOT INCLUDE IMAGES. We have been using this method for years without any problems

Wow, how I would love your world! No Transparency jobs.!

Devin

[ddbray]

Plenty of files that use Tranparency. We usally do not have a problem with them runnig thru Rampage 10. By default we do not "Ignore Application Overprint settings". Now of course we do have an ocassional job that needs some caressing to get thru the rip but that is why we get paid.

[macdevin]

Originally Posted by ddbray

Plenty of files that use Tranparency. We usally do not have a problem with them runnig thru Rampage 10. By default we do not "Ignore Application Overprint settings". Now of course we do have an ocassional job that needs some caressing to get thru the rip but that is why we get paid.

A EPS is a flatten file, it can not contain tranparency..same for any postscript format at this time.
Overprints is not the same as transparency nor is multiple.

Devin