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occur. As a result, unless you need to edit the individual objects in an EPS file, you should
link to the file rather than open or embed it.
•
When you embed an EPS file that was created in another application, Illustrator flat-
tens any transparency contained in the file. If you are placing transparent artwork into
Illustrator, use PDF 1.4 or 1.5 format instead.
•
Occasionally you may encounter a warning when opening an Illustrator document
containing embedded EPS images. If the original EPS image cannot be found, you will be
prompted to extract it, which by default will put it into the same directory as the current
document. Although the embedded file does not preview in the document, the file will
print correctly.
Linked EPS:
Use File > Place with the Link check box selected to link an EPS file to the
current Illustrator document. One of the advantages of linking files rather than embedding
is that when you make changes to a source file, the changes are applied to the linked artwork
when the link is updated in Illustrator.
Because of the feedback Adobe received from users, Illustrator CS now includes the ability
to reliably print and export linked EPS and Adobe PDF files that interact with transparency.
Using Illustrator CS to create color separations means spot colors are maintained rather than
converted to process colors, unless specified otherwise in the print settings. Even in linked
duotones and tritones that interact with transparency and are set to overprint, spot colors
are retained, giving you control over how spot colors are handled.
Keep in mind the following when using linked EPS files.
•
If you are color managing artwork in a document, embedded EPS images are part of
the document and therefore color managed when sent to a printing device. Linked EPS
images are not color managed.
•
If you import an EPS color that has the same name as a color in your document but a
different definition, Illustrator displays an alert. Select Use Linked File’s Color to replace
the color in your document with the EPS color in the linked file. Select Use Document’s
Color to leave the swatch as is and to resolve all color conflicts using the document’s color.
The EPS preview may be incorrect, but it will print to the correct plates. Selecting Apply
to All will resolve all color conflicts using the definition you choose.
•
If a linked EPS file isn’t visible in the document window, the file’s preview may be missing.
This can happen when transferring EPS files saved with PICT previews from Mac OS to
Windows. To restore the preview, resave the EPS file with a TIFF preview. (See “Creating
EPS files.”)
