Design Technology

How to use clipping paths in Photoshop to import into InDesign

Scenario: You need to cut a figure from the background of an image and place it into a page layout. Your placed image will contain a white background unless you use a clipping path.

Download file: tomato.jpg

Read the info availabel in the Photoshop Quickstart Guide,
or view the video tutorial provided in Lynda.com...

Photoshop CS2 FAQs - lynda.com Online Training Library®
What is a Clipping Path, when do I need one, and how
do I make one?

Step 1: Open your image file in Photoshop.

Step 2: Create a selection of the area you wish to cut out.

Notes about the selection tools:

• Holding town the Shift key adds to the selection.
• Holding down the Option key subtracts from a selection.
• You can use any or all the selection tools to select an area.

(Tip: Check out the Channels to see if one of them shows more contrast to help your selection.)

Step 3: Open the Paths window (Window>paths).

Step 4: Choose Make Work Path... from the path window options. This creates a temporary path from the selection

Step 5: Save Path by double clicking the work path in the path window.This makes a Save dialogue box appear. Type in a name for the path and click the OK button. This saves the path as a part of this file.

Step 6: Choose Clipping Path... from the path window options. Select your path name in the pop-up box next to the word "Path:". Click "OK".

Step 7: Save your file as an EPS document in order to export the path with the file.

Step 8: Save your file in your the Tech Folder provided.