illustrator cs4 - applying effects to placed image

sharksalive  schrieb I have placed a logo image into an AI file and then clicked "Embed Image". Now I want to apply a radial gradient for a lighting effect and a drop shadow.

You have used File > Place and then selected an AI file?

In that case you have placed the PDF part of the file. You can handle that, but it will get clumsy. You will have to release some clipping masks. Use the layers panel to inspect your file.

It will be far more simple to just open that logo file (unstead of placing it) and then copy the logo and open the other file and paste it there.

You need to have a transparent background when you place it in Illustrator. If you use CS4 check it under the View menu:

Show transparency grid: And see if you have a transparent image than you can apply an effect. But remember if it is a jpeg it is a pixel based image....

Chana

You will need the Photoshop image to have a transparent background. If the logo has a transparent background when it is open in Photoshop then save it as a .psd file and when you open it in Illustrator use the option that comes up to save all layers as objects. Illustrator will recognize the transparency of the psd file. If the logo has a white background in the original Photoshop then you will have to draw a path around the image and save that as a clipping path and again save it as a .psd file. Illustrator will recognize the silhouette created in the Photoshop file and the background will once again be transparent in the Illustrator file. You can also place the Photoshop file that doesn't already have a transparent background into Illustrator, draw a path around the needed art and save that path as a clipping path (Command (Mac)/Control (PC)-7 will convert the selected path into a clipping path). Once your logo's background is transparent then effects applied will conform to the object rather than the background.