How do I convert a vendor-provided EPS containing a multi-layer transparent image to an image I can use?

[sewn]

(I asked about this problem in another discussion, but I presented it wrong, so I'm going to try again a different way.)

I have an EPS file that contains a multi-layer image with lots of internally gradient pieces (layers), all intended to be on a transparent background.  The vendor said I was on my own as far as getting my image from the EPS file -- they advised using Illustrator, but do not provide Illustrator help. It must be an easy task because they list many complex transparent images like this -- fire, smoke, shafts of light, etc -- so SOMEONE must be buying and using them!

I have Illustrator (Windows), but I don't know how to use it except elementary things like "Save as" or "Export as".  I can click the eyeball to make a layer un-visible, and I can follow explicit instructions to choose options, change settings, etc. 

Can anyone provide instructions on how to get the image out of the EPS file in a format that preserves proper transparency within the image and the overall background? I plan to use it in a Photoshop project, where I'm going to overlay the starburst on my scene.

I believe I cannot post the actual EPS file (since it is purchased) but here are screen shots of how it looks when I open it in Illustrator, and (3rd picture) after I turn off the checkerboard layers. I dropped down the group of layers on the right so you can see all the pieces.  The 2nd picture is what I get when I "Export as png" with the checkerboard layers visible (which looks the same as the preview JPG the vendor supplied with the EPS).  What I want (what ANYONE would want) is the image without the checkerboard.

Thank you in advance for any help!

--Suzanne

Screen shot after opening the EPS file in Illustrator:

Export as PNG:

Illustrator screen shot, with checkerboard layers turned off and layer group expanded to show all the pieces:

[Test Screen Name]

The PNG you are looking at ... what app is being used to view it? I wonder if, for example, it's a screen shot from Photoshop, which has its own checkerboard. Illustrator does not export a checkerboard unless the file contains it.

[sewn]

Thanks for checking in on this!

It's just the ordinary Windows file viewer you get when you click on an image file.

The checkerboard layer IS in the AI file... you can see it from the Illustrator screen shots.

When I hid the checkerboard  layers (see the second AI screen shot) the PNG came out looking just like all those black/gray pieces.

When I first asked about this in a different discussion here in the forum, I got two answers that said the checkerboard is necessary for proper blending of the starburst pieces, and what I am trying to do is impossible:

How do I save as PNG without showing alpha channels?

I am totally confused at this point -- but I keep coming back to the idea that people must do this all the time because of all the similar images offered by the vendor (Depositphotos.com).  It seems that I must be missing a step that is completely obvious to "real" Illustrator users!

[Monika Gause]

It's impossible .

You can overlay this starburst on a different background. You can't create a transparent PNG from it (at least not with Illustrator.

You could overlay it on a black background and then swtich to Photoshop and use some masking techniques to get what you want.

You can of course create a third thread.

[sewn]

Monika -- Oh dear, I didn't mean to imply that YOU are not a real AI user -- I meant it is ME who is not a real AI user!  I figured I must be describing the problem wrong, because it seemed unlikely the vendor is selling unusable images -- so I started over with a new description.  The vendor specifically recommended getting the image with Illustrator, so you can see why I'm flummoxed!

Just to confirm... is there no other format (besides PNG) that would do it with Illustrator -- TIFF, bitmap? -- or is it just completely not happening?

[Myra Ferguson · Accepted solution]

The tricky part with supposedly transparent glowy/light effects is that they use blend modes, so let me take you through the steps to prep this graphic to apply to your Photoshop file.

1. In Illustrator, look through the layers for the checkerboard background that simulates what a transparent background looks like and turn it off by clicking the eyeball in the Layers panel (you'll see the real transparency grid if you go to View > Show Transparency Grid.)

2. There's probably another layer toward the bottom that's solid dark gray or black. Make sure it's completely black. To check, select it by clicking its target on its layer on the right side in the Layers panel (A dot will appear next to it to show it's selected. If it's not, then it's not actually selected.) and change its fill to black.

3. Save your starburst graphic in Illustrator.

4. Go to Photoshop and open your file that will serve as the background for the starburst effect.

5. In Photoshop, go to File > (and select either) Place Linked... or Place Embedded (the first option links it to the file, the second embeds it into your Photoshop document), navigate to where you saved the starburst, and when it shows up on the top layer of your Photoshop file, hit Enter on your keyboard or click the checkbox in the Control Panel at the top to commit the transform.

6. In Photoshop, with the layer containing the starburst selected in the Layers panel, go to the Blend mode drop down menu--it'll be the one that is currently set to Normal. Change it to Screen.

7. Go to Edit > Free Transform to scale it and position the starburst where you want it over your background.

[sewn]

Myra ... Holy cow -- THAT is secret sauce ... thanks for sharing the recipe!

After two days of Googling and experimenting and frustration, I'll gladly put on my helmet and try it out.

I'll report back ...

[sewn]

Myra ... question about Step #2:

I don't see a gray/black layer in the list of layers.  When I turn off ALL the layers, the gray area is still there, which seems to confirm there isn't such a layer.  BUT when I turn off the title line of the main "group," the gray disappears.  Assuming that's what I need to change, I tried to select it, but I don't know how to get its dot to turn white.  I also see that the dot for the <Path> layer is ON (6th one down).  I can't seem to turn any of the dots on or off.  (I warned I was a newbie!).

[Monika Gause]

That grey color belongs to Illustrators user interface.

There's no background in your file other than the checkerboard.

[sewn]

Thanks Monika!

I'm about to learn how to create and fill a layer (baby steps) ...

At this point it's hard to imagine the day when Illustrator will be as familiar as Photoshop -- right now it's like I landed on Mars!

[sewn]

Ok, got the black background installed behind the starburst in AI (Monika assisted).

But something went astray after that, because the final result was blank -- no starburst. 

In Step 3, I assume you mean save it normally as an AI file, right?  ... I did that.

In Step 5, Photoshop "Place" doesn't show the Linked/Embedded choice -- I just went ahead anyway.

It looks like "Place" is expecting a PDF -- is it supposed to do that?  (The "Image" button grayed out "OK", so I left it as "Page".)

Doesn't seem right, but I did it anyway.

The new layer shows up, but after Blend:Screen and Free Transform, it's a blank square, no starburst:

Where did I go wrong?

[Monika Gause]

Without seeing the actual file, nobody can know that.

[Myra Ferguson]

Wow, you've been busy!

I was basing the steps off of a similar graphic I downloaded from freepik.com (White light flash Vector | Free Download ), and it had a gray layer in the background. However, I'm guessing in your file the gray layers that are labeled "Group" in the layers panel are what makes the simulated checkerboard. I would reluctantly suggest turning off every layer but the starburst, but if that graphic has other parts that appear lighter than black when you bring it into Photoshop, they'll be light when you use the blend mode Screen. So, in Illustrator, try adding a layer below your starburst with a black rectangle then save out your starburst.

What you're saving out looks like it's being affected by the layer with the light gray to white radial gradient. Just turn that off, too. It probably has a blend mode on it that was affecting the simulated checkerboard.

On the Place embedded/linked - that was a feature added in the last few years, so I'm guessing you're using an older version of Photoshop. It's fine to just use Place.

[sewn]

Myra -- I had already deleted the checkerboard and added the black underneath, as specified in the recipe.

What I DIDN'T do was answer my own question about "Place" expecting a PDF.

So I gave it a PDF and ...................... (drum roll) .........

Ahh... what a battle!   But now I know how to do it.

SO ... your secret sauce recipe was perfect except for this one adjustment for inexperienced cooks:

3. Save your starburst graphic in Illustrator.  as a PDF with default settings.

Thank you SO much for your undaunted determination to help me get this  #$%^!*@!  light lit !!

--Suzanne

[Myra Ferguson]

Yay! I'm so glad you got it to work! Nice job!

I'm wondering if it was the older version of Photoshop that wouldn't let you import a .ai file--I don't recall that being an issue with older versions, but maybe I just forgot. Anyway, it is possible with the current version of Photoshop to place a .ai file--in case you or someone else decide to use this kind of art and effect in a newer version of Photoshop.

[sewn]

Oh, I really COULD have "placed" an AI file, if I were in the latest Photoshop version.  I was feeling foolish for thinking it was possible! 

I have CS5 on the computer I'm using, which is from a few years ago.

Anyway... a happy ending to a multi-day quest that went all over the place (I joined this forum only after a couple days of going crazy on my own).

Now that I've stuck my toe into Illustrator, I suspect I'll be back!

Thanks again,

Suzanne