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files that may have been flattened at the wrong settings for high-resolution output. While
EPS graphics from those programs may contain transparency editable by Illustrator, it
will not be detectable as live transparency by InDesign, which sees EPS files as already
flattened. Illustrator native transparency is directly supported by InDesign only for files
saved in Illustrator 9 or later native (.AI) format or PDF 1.4 and above. Although the
InDesign transparency flattener won’t affect EPS versions of these files, they may output
correctly if they were flattened using settings in Illustrator that are appropriate for high-
resolution output.
Note:
The customer may not be aware of all of the ways transparency is used. For example,
transparency can be an attribute of effects (such as drop shadows) and Illustrator brushes.
Once you have an idea of how transparency is used in the customer’s document, you can set
up the file for output. You can decide on the proper output settings through a combination
of using the Flattener Preview palette (see “Previewing transparency flattener presets” on
page 59) and the scenarios below.
No transparency
In the simplest scenario, the customer hasn’t used any transparency in the document. You
can output the file without flattening it.
Basic transparency—InDesign transparency only
All transparency in the file was applied using InDesign. In this case, you’ll simply need to use
the High Resolution transparency flattener preset (or your own customized high-resolution
transparency flattener preset), and the document is likely to output reliably with regard to
transparency.
Moderate transparency—InDesign and unflattened Illustrator transparency
The document contains InDesign transparency and imported files that also use transpar-
ency. If the files are saved in the formats listed in step 1 above, the transparency flattener in
InDesign can flatten and output the files’ transparency typically without problems.
Complex transparency
A document may require additional attention if it uses transparency and is not one of the
formats listed in step 1 above. Such files may require special handling as follows:
•
Illustrator files using transparency but saved in formats earlier than Illustrator 9 native
format (.ai).
The transparency used in these files has been flattened. The output quality
of those files depends on the Illustrator flattener settings that were in effect when they
were exported. For these kinds of files, the question is whether or not the flattener settings
were appropriate for high-resolution output. If they were flattened using low-resolution or
low-quality settings, they may not be suitable for prepress output. Examine high-resolution
proofs of pages containing those graphics. If the proofs are not satisfactory, the graphics
should be replaced with un-flattened Illustrator 9 or 10 native versions of those graphics
