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the image, and all transformations are retained. The new image will be linked to the Illustrator
file, rather than embedded.
You can now discard the PDF; its only purpose was to help you capture the image at full
resolution for editing.
Forensic tools
When you examine customer files to pinpoint issues before they can have an impact on your
workflow, make it a habit to use the Illustrator tools that can help you easily find common
problems.
Overprint Preview
As mentioned in the earlier section, "Using the Attributes panel," Overprint Preview (View
> Overprint Preview) can help you find overprinting problems in Illustrator files. Because
Overprint Preview provides a more realistic display of transparency and blending modes, it
can also help you find problems that arise from using transparency with spot-color objects.
For example, a spot-color object set to Multiply with another object using the same spot color
may appear to darken the underlying artwork. But, since there cannot be 200% of a single ink,
the display is misleading. Turning on Overprint Preview allows Illustrator to more realistically
represent final output.
Separations Preview
Use the new Separations Preview feature to view individual plates, or to see the document in pro-
gressive mode. Choose Window > Separations Preview to open the Separations Preview Panel.
Check the Overprint Preview option in the panel to activate separations display. Use the "eye-
ball" visibility controls next to the ink names to selectively display separations in color. (There is
no provision to display a separation in black to resemble film or plate output.)
Separations Preview can enable you to easily identify problems such as unintended overprinting
content, objects not overprinting that should be, rich black or Registration used inappropriately,
and extraneous spot colors. Finding such problems early in the life of a job can save money,
aggravation — and deadlines.
Flattener Preview
Use the Flattener Preview (Window > Flattener Preview) to determine which objects in the docu-
ment will be affected if the file is flattened. Flattening occurs when PostScript is generated by
choosing File > Print, by exporting to the Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) format, or by saving the
file as a PDF compatible with Acrobat 4.0 or earlier. The Flattener Preview won't show overprint-
ing, as Overprint Preview does, nor is it intended to realistically display final color. Its purpose
Overprint Preview
Spot-color text set to Multiply appears
to darken the area where it overlaps
a rectangle using the same spot color
(top) . But Overprint Preview provides a
more realistic display (bottom) . Because
there cannot be 200% of the same ink,
the overlapping area will actually not
be darker when printed .
Separations Preview
Activate Separations Preview by checking the Overprint Preview
box, then selectively display the inks .
Adobe Creative Suite 4 Printing Guide
88
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