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robbiebouchoms
Known Participant
June 20, 2019
Answered

Mask in jpg file?

  • June 20, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 2202 views

Hello folks,

So I saw something strange I've neven seen before.
I've received an image of a laptop (It's a JPG). When I place the image in my inDesign file I see some kind of vector mask around it. Can anybody tell me how this is called and how this works? It looks like it's a part of the jpg file. But how can you get that information in a jpg and how can I get rid of it in my inDesign file?

Thanks for your time!

With kind regard,
Robbie

EDIT: I found out that it's a "clipping path". Now I'm still with the question, how can you make this and save as a jpg file?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer winterm

Sure, it’s possible to remove that Clipping Path in Photoshop (using Paths panel), and then re-save jpeg, which is no good due to degrading quality.

Better choice: directly in InDesign, with your image selected, go to Object > Clipping Path > Options, and select  None from Type: drop-down menu.

2 replies

Mike Witherell
Community Expert
Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 20, 2019

Hey Winterm,

That is not what I meant. I know you can do it to a JPG inside of InDesign, but the OP said that when they placed their received "JPG", it already had a clipping path around it. I can do that with PSD; but not with JPG.

Mike Witherell
Mike Witherell
Community Expert
Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 20, 2019

Ah, I see my error. I always apply the vector clipping path in PS as an active layer mask, and under that circumstance it will no longer save as a JPG. You have demonstrated simply saving the path in the JPG file, and yes, that is selectable within InDesign. I misunderstood the OP to be saying the JPG was placed and already showed a mask.

Mike Witherell
S
SJRiegel
Legend
June 21, 2019

A photoshop path can be automatically applied when a jpg is placed, if

1) the path is designated in Photoshop as a Clipping Path and

2) Apply Photoshop Clipping Path is set in the import options

winterm
wintermCorrect answer
Legend
June 20, 2019

Sure, it’s possible to remove that Clipping Path in Photoshop (using Paths panel), and then re-save jpeg, which is no good due to degrading quality.

Better choice: directly in InDesign, with your image selected, go to Object > Clipping Path > Options, and select  None from Type: drop-down menu.

R
robbiebouchomsAuthor
Known Participant
June 20, 2019

Thanks man!

Yes I've found the Clipping Path options

Mike Witherell
Community Expert
Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 20, 2019

While that can work, it is a deprecated practice when compared to making an alpha channel layer mask in Photoshop; saving the image as .PSD, and importing/placing that image into InDesign.

BTW, a jpg file doesn't have the ability to carry a clipping path. Maybe it was a .psd file that had its filename ending changed to .jpg?

Mike Witherell
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