Preserved Topic: replacing color in graphic (Page 1 of 1)

Be gentle, I'm just learning Photoshop 5.5.

I have scanned a two color graphic of a feather into Photoshop and need to change one of the colors to a red which will be recognized as red by Microsoft Publisher in spot color mode. I've "selected" the area I need to change and "painted" it in color mode with red selected as the foreground color. The results look correct (black outlines with red inner details) but when the graphic is imported into Publisher the red is not recognized as red, and is consequently displayed as shades of gray.

What am I doing wrong? Thanks for your patience in reading this lenghty question, and for any help.

Gordon in Gatlinburg

What file format are you saving this image as for Publisher? What version of Publisher are you using?

My thoughts are that this image is being saved in a format the Publisher only reads as either a greyscale image or an indexed image.

I'm asking about the Publisher version so that if I have the same version of Publisher I can duplicate the problem, and maybe find a solution that way.

Thnaks for your amazingly fast response, M.S.

I'm using Publisher 2000, and saving as both bmp and jpg, both with no success.

Thanks again for your interest and help.

Gordon

What do you mean when you say you scanned it as a "2 color"? Is it a bitmap (only black or white), or is it grayscale you have converted to RGB? And how does spot color mode work in Publisher? (I'll be gentle with you and Photoshop if you be gentle with me and Publisher!) Spot color is tricky stuff in printing, and Photoshop didn't even support it until very recently. And I suspect, as does F-1, that the file format you save the file in will be key. Most file formats support continuous tone, but spot color is a different animal. It's really (on press anyway) just two plates, so finding the file format that supports that will be key.

Hey tweeky! You got one in before I hit submit! No fair being so fast. Maybe try EPS if Publisher supports it.

Hi Steve,

What I meant was the original graphic is a printed card with the feather graphic printed in black outline with shades of red interior details. I did a straight scan from my flatbed into PS 5.5, then worked the graphic as mentioned in my first post. Then saved it as a bmp image, and as a jpg image.

Publisher lets you designate the colors you are using for spot color, and in this case it's looking for black, shades of gray (or variations of black, if you will) and red (and its shades). When it prints separations, all red - related elements are printed on one sheet (analogous to one of the two printing plates) and the black-related elements are printed to a second sheet (the other "plate" when printing.)

Hope this helps, or is at least understandable. Boy are you folks quick to help! I appreciate it.

Gordon

Steve -

I'd use EPS but I'm outputting to an HP inkjet printer which can't handle Post Script . I know I should invest in a rip program that will let me output to my inkjet. It's on the "wish list."

I'll experiment with saving in various formats and let you all know how it turns out. Gotta run and catch some sleep but I'll check back tomorrow for any additional thoughts.

Thanks again everyone.

Gordon

I don't have Pub2000 but I'm willing to bet that Pub200 can not read what the red becomes when you save to bmp and jpg. Both of these are files that compress the image, and thus change the color. Try saving your image as a tif file, that should do it. If it doesn't do it, let me know, I'll try again.

Thanks, I'll be trying that over the weekend and I'll let you know what happens. I see the logic in what you are saying and I agree it should work. Keep your fingers crossed and I'll update you ASAP.

Thanks again,
Gordon

Frankly, though I know I'm talking out my c*****n as far as Publisher goes, I don't see what difference compressed files will make. What's needed is a file that will support what is essentially 2 8-bit channels - one for black, one for red. Is there any support in the manual (he asked tentatively, knowing the general reluctance to read words on paper)?

What you are forgetting is that Publisher is a Microsoft product, so it follows it's own rules. I went through something similar to this several years ago. I learned that when you make a photoshop document and compress it, your red (or whatever color) does not stay a true red or the same red (what it acctually does is make several colors to make a blend that comes close to your orignal color). This is where Publilsher chokes. From what I remeber, Publisher can only "read" a few of types of each color it does not read all colors. What it reads are the colors more common to print, and if Photoshop creates a red that is not common to print, then Publisher defaults it to grey (unlike other programs that will default it to an appox color).
I've read the Publisher manual, and color support goes to the extent of; 'click here to change to these colors'. The manual is much more geared to layout of text boxes and such.

Well folks, I tried saving the graphic as a TIF (no LZW compression) and Publisher gave me an "unable to import" error message that suggested I might not have the proper import filter installed. I re-ran the publisher setup program and chose to install ALL text and graphics import filters (including TIF) and then tried again. Same error message. I'll keep experimenting and let you know when I either find something that works or go out and buy Adobe Pagemaker!

Your input has been greatly appreciated and very educational. Anytime I learn something it is not a waste of time. Thanks.

Gordon

Sorry Gordon - I'll all out of suggestions, since I don't know Publisher. Wish I could have "fixed" it for you.

What a pain.

<img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/frown.gif">

wish i could help <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/frown.gif"> i have pub98 but no printer, so it doesnt look like i can get into the spot color options. i miss the old 3.x version of pub.. i cant stand the help menu in this darn thing...

My suggestion is ask a graphics shop in your area that does this kinda stuff.

You read my mind! Thanks for the suggestion.

Gordon