InDesign Help - converting to layered EPS file

[ezekialjazz]

Hi all,

I have received an EPS file that the client originally generated in InDesign CS2.

The eps is a mass of clipping paths and appears as a single layer when opened in Illustrator CS2. I have asked the supplier if she can save or export to eps in a manner that will retain the layer information. She (and I) are not that au fait with InDesign and she does not know how to do this. The 'help' menu doesn't seem have the answer either.

Can anyone on this board help?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Blue Velvet]

As far I know and can test here at work, that isn't possible by EPS export or PDF export from InDesign CS3, let alone CS2.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Not ideal...but how hard would it be to export each layer separately and reassemble in AI? I don't believe there is a way to do this otherwise.

 

[jerryrock]

EPS files do not support layers, alpha channels or transparency. EPS files cannot be re-opened in Photoshop with vector content intact.

A better file format would be PDF if the file cannot be sent in its native format. PDF export is available from all CS3 applications.

 

[Blue Velvet]

EPS files do not support layers, alpha channels or transparency.

EPS files most certainly do support layers and transparency. Depends on which version and what kind of EPS you're talking about... transparency has been in Illustrator EPSs since at least v10 and they rip perfectly, same with layers.

 

[macstudent]

You best option would be to export the ID file as a PDF. When in Illustrator you can will be able to edit it to an extent, but the layers will not be carried over. Maybe by CS17 it will work!

 

[snickelfritz]

Export the layered ID document to PDF, then open the document in Illustrator.
I just tested this and it works perfectly in CS3 as far as I can tell.
I created an ID doc with three layers, each with a filled and stroked rectangle overlapping each other.
AI sees each rectangle and stroke as a complete and separately editable object, just as if they were created within AI.
To create a layered AI document, simply create the number of layers required, then select and move the objects to the appropriate layers.

 

[ac6789]

Export the layered ID document to PDF, then open the document in Illustrator.
I just tested this and it works perfectly in CS3 as far as I can tell.
I created an ID doc with three layers, each with a filled and stroked rectangle overlapping each other.
AI sees each rectangle and stroke as a complete and separately editable object, just as if they were created within AI.
To create a layered AI document, simply create the number of layers required, then select and move the objects to the appropriate layers.

Not sure how well this would work with a complex document. From my experience PDFs will group objects together, create clipping paths, and simply make a mess of things that will end up being extremely frustrating to separate into individual layers. Not to mention text will probably be split up into individual lines or even individual words will be broken apart depending on how the PDF is read back in.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[snickelfritz]

I just opened a complex ID doc exported to PDF with overlapping layered PSD images with transparency, ID vector graphics, and text.
(page from a restaurant menu)
Seems perfectly editable.
The only significant change I can see is that blocks of text are converted to single lines, which would certainly be a little tedious if my intent were to update the menu this way.
It's certainly a workable solution though.

I also tried the same thing with a logo I designed and saved as PDF.
Illustrator can open and edit the PDF in the same way as the source AI file.

 

[jerryrock]

EPS files most certainly do support layers and transparency. Depends on which version and what kind of EPS you're talking about... transparency has been in Illustrator EPSs since at least v10 and they rip perfectly, same with layers.

The EPS file may work fine with the program that created it, however when opening the EPS in a different program (OP's original problem) these features are NOT retained.

If you have access to Real World Print Production by Claudia McCue (Peachpit Press 2007), take a look at table 4.1 on page 89. This table describes exactly what each file format will support and is the source of my very accurate information.

 

[snickelfritz]

The solution is for the author of the file in question to try saving it as PDF, rather than EPS.

 

[Blue Velvet]

The EPS file may work fine with the program that created it, however when opening the EPS in a different program (OP's original problem) these features are NOT retained.

That's not the point. The point was that these features are supported, unlike your previous statement, and what's more, these features are easily read and managed by third party software like page layout programs and RIPs. Let's have some clarity around here.

 

[jerryrock]

That's not the point. The point was that these features are supported, unlike your previous statement, and what's more, these features are easily read and managed by third party software like page layout programs and RIPs. Let's have some clarity around here.

This is exactly the point and your statement about EPS supporting layering and transparency features between different programs is incorrect.
I think this is pretty clear.

Here is another comparison chart to help decided which file format best suits your needs. This was taken from Real World InDesign CS3 by Adobe Press and was created by an Adobe Software Engineer:

 

[Blue Velvet]

This is exactly the point and your statement about EPS supporting layering and transparency features between different programs is incorrect.

You completely misunderstand me, and I don't need tables to support my experience. I can bring a layered EPS with transparency into Quark and/or InDesign, and they will display, render, RIP, print and distil perfectly. I do this every day in my job. That's my point.

So, yes, EPS files can support these features and yes, they play nicely with other software. That's what I mean by clarity because your first statement didn't tell the whole story and could cause confusion to others.

EPS files do not support layers, alpha channels or transparency.

And the PDF suggestion is flawed because while it retains object information, it doesn't retain layer information. Something I pointed out at the beginning.

 

[jerryrock]

And the PDF suggestion is flawed because while it retains object information, it doesn't retain layer information. Something I pointed out at the beginning.

Do you even read these responses? PDF files DO support layers and transparencies, in fact they support more features then any other file format. This is why PDF is becoming the industry standard.

The statements I have made here are facts that I have backed up with documentation.

I don't know where you are getting your mis-information, but perhaps its time to read a book.

 

[Blue Velvet]

While you can import a layered PDF created in InDesign into Illustrator using PDF 1.7 standards retaining Acrobat layers, it doesn't retain proper path information, rendering strokes as separate objects, nor does it really work very well with transparency, grouping objects and losing their layers. I don't need a book to tell me that... just try it for yourself.

Where do I get my misinformation? Only 20+ years in design and production, responsible for about $500,000 of print a year.

 

[JasonElise1983]

I have to agree with bv. PDF supports alot of features, that RIPs and other software haven't caught up to yet. And last I checked. An EPS retains all layers and transparency when its used with software that supports it.

-je