Working with EPS

[CharlotteMetzger]

I have a photo that someone did a live trace in Illustrator for me and sent it back to me as an EPS and PDF. I currently have Photoshop and Illustrator although I don't really know how to use Illustrator. The EPS file that was created for me is 300 dpi. The person said that I would be able to make it any size that I needed it to be and it would not lose resolution or pixelate. So I need to make this file larger in size (about 30 inches wide which will make it 45 inches tall) then I need to clone some of the images that are in the graphic and move them into other parts of that graphic, then I need to pull it into Photoshop and make a mural out of it. My questions are this: 1. Do I resize it in Illustrator and also move the parts around that I want to clone into other places or do I do that in Photoshop? 2. How do I actually get it into Photoshop to I create the blank canvas which will be 30 x 45 at 300 ppi and then "place" the graphic or do I just Open it in Photoshop and size it to the size I need? Any help would be MOST appreciated. I have never worked with EPS files before so that is my issue. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY GUIDANCE?

[barbara_a · Accepted solution]

1) Yes, do the resizing and moving parts around in Illustrator.

2) Yes, create a blank canvas in Photoshop and Place the graphic. Recommend placing as smart object so that you don't loose quality. But you may not need to use Photoshop. From your description, seems like everything could be done using Illustrator.

[CharlotteMetzger]

Thank you so very much for your answer. This is extremely helpful to me. The reason I need to eventually pull it in Photoshop is because I need to print it to a sublimation printer for tile murals and there is no printer driver support for vector programs. So I always have to print from Photoshop. Again that you so much

[barbara_a]

You're welcome.

A comment on what the person told you about the EPS file -- It's true that any parts of the EPS that are vector can be scaled without losing quality. You mentioned that the EPS includes "images", which usually implies "photographs" or anything that is bitmap. If there are bitmaps, they WILL be degraded if they are enlarged.

You didn't mention the dimensions of the original file, only the enlarged dimensions, so it's hard to say if this will be an issue. In any case, placing as a smart object in Photoshop will preserve the original resolution of any images.

[jdanek]

The 300ppi reference is most probably the file's raster resolution setting.  If the elements were traced, then you have a vector file.  What I would do is this.  Once you have enlarged and laid out the 30 x 45 design the way you want it, then "Export" the files as a CMYK .tiff @ 150ppi ( you could even go 72ppi, but at the risk of visible pixelation ).  That sublimation printer does not need 300ppi resolution.  I am surprised you cannot print vector files. Another workaround is save the 30 x 45 fie as a PDF and print that.  Can you tell us what sublimation printer and driver version you are using?

[CharlotteMetzger]

Wow this is interesting. Thank you for your response. I think I misspoke when I said the sublimation printer would not print vector files, what I meant was there is no printer driver for AI or any other vector program. The photo started out as a low resolution and someone live traced it for me with AI and sent it to me with EPS and PDF and told me I could make it as large as I wanted. So I am using it for a bathroom mural and the actual size of the wall is 60 wide by 60 high. I want to have the image 30 by 60 and them mirror it and use the that for the other side of the wall. So it will be the same graphic just mirrored. However, I have to add some things to it and change some of the graphics (which are all in layers in AI) in other places. The printer I am using is the Sawgrass SG800. There is a printing program that comes with that printer that is Creative Suite. I can either print it using Creative Suite or there is a printer driver for Photoshop. There is not a printer driver for AI. That is kinda what I meant that I could not print it from AI. I then will be printing it in sizes for 6 x 6 tiles and sublimating onto the ceramic tiles. Does this information change anything that you told me in your reply?

[jdanek]

Not really.  I checked out that Sawgrass SG800.  Still a little confused on how the drivers work, but you should be fine exporting as.  Your challenge is setting up the tiles.  It looks like you print to paper and then heat it to adhere to the ceramic tile? 

[CharlotteMetzger]

Yes, that is correct. It will be printed to transfer paper then used in a heat press to adhere to the tiles. So, now that you have the entire picture. You are saying 1- Open the EPS in AI move the individual objects around where I want them and then resize the entire picture in AI to the size I need it (30 x 60) and then "Export" the files as a CMYK .tiff @ 150ppi to photoshop? Do I first create the canvas in photoshop as 30 x 60 with 150 ppi? and then export it? I think I am getting a little confused.

[jdanek]

No.  What I do is create a holding line ( rectangle 30 x whatever with no fill, no stroke > align the rectangle to the edge of your artboard > Object Lock Selection ).  Then Export as .tiff.  When you open the .tiff in Photoshop, you will have the entire graphic artboard.  No need to setup a file in Photoshop.  Once in Photoshop, you can use your Rectangle tool and set it for a 6 x 6 @ 150ppi > then use the Rectangle tool to select an area > copy & paste into a new document ( command C, command N, command V ) for each tile.  Do a test print first, because you may have to create a bleed for each tile, depending on how the paper maps to the tile.

[CharlotteMetzger]

Oh gosh. Now you are over my head. I am experienced with Photoshop but not very much with AI. When you say a holding box do you just mean draw a box with the drawing tool around the completed graphic after I have resized it and added everything I want in it? I'm sorry I don't mean to be a pain, but this is the biggest project I have ever done, and I am not experienced with AI. I just want to make sure I understand. You are so very kind and I really appreciate all your help and guidance. Obviously you are a pro. I will try not to bother you after this question. lol Thank you again for all your help it has been soooooo appreciated.

[jdanek]

No worries. Yes. If you click anywhere with the rectangle tool, you should get a dialog box where you can input the width and height dimensions. Then, set that rectangle's fill and stroke to "none". There may also be an option upon export to use art board, but I do a holding box out of habit. If you don't then the export will constrain to the artwork which may not include the entire art board. So, if your art board is 30 x 60, create the rectangle 30 x 60. Lock it to the edges. Do not worry about asking questions. Some of us are here to help.

Sent from my iPhone

[jdanek]

That came out wrong. I meant to say we are all here to help.

Sent from my iPhone

[CharlotteMetzger]

OMG you are amazing. I think I love you lol. Everything did exactly what you said and everything looks AWESOME. I am so very pleased. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP. You are the Master of Illustration!!!!! I can't thank you enough. Opened it in Photoshop and it was PERFECT. THHAAAANNNKKKKK YYYYOUUUUUUU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!! Can you tell I am ecstatic!!!!!!! Have a wonderful day and thank you again for all your help and patience.

[jdanek]

Well, to be honest even I am still learning.  No one person can master these software programs.  Perhaps, when your project is done and the room has been tiled, you could post a digital pic of the results.  Should you have any other questions, feel free to ask.  Glad I was able to assist.