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Inspiring
May 8, 2021
Question

"Save as eps" and "Use Artboards" and transparency

  • May 8, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 1917 views

If I have transparent objects on the pasteboard but no transparent object on the artboard and save as eps using artboards (Use Artboards selected with the artboard number in the range), the EPS Options window indicates "The document contains artwork that requires flattening". If I then delete all objects on the pasteboard and save as eps using artboards, the EPS Options windows no longer displays that message.

Why is saving as eps using artboards take into account objects that aren't on the artboard?

This is for CS4.

Thanks,

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1 reply

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 8, 2021

When saving EPS with an "Illustrator EPS version" higher than 3, Illustrator will save the complete AI file into the EPS as private data.

sPretzelAuthor
Inspiring
May 8, 2021

Hi Monika. Thanks. I assume you mean greater than or equal to 3. Is this kind of information documented anywhere (or did you learn it the hard way)?

That being said, when I repeat this operation with PostScript LanguageLevel 2 (I had PostScript LanguageLevel 3 before), I still see the flattening message! What gives?

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 8, 2021

So when you save as EPS 3 you still get everything in the file?

 

I guess then you would need to set up a crop area. EPS was already dead before artboards even became a thing. Crop areas were dead when CS4 arrived or can you still make one? I'm too lazy to open CS4.