Transparent backgrounds in Photoshop files

[marlene]

Someone gave me a PSD file (CMYK photo) with a transparent background, and I need to get it into Quark with that transparent background intact.

It's got that gray and white checkerboard background, but when imported into Quark the background's white.

I assume that the only way to do this is by creating a clipping path, but figured I'd ask just in case there's some new trick I don't know about.

I'm using Photoshop CS (CS2 is on order but may not arrive in time for this job). I can create a clipping path, but am pressed for time. I am also annoyed because the original photo did have a clipping path, but I was only given a newer (and cropped) version without a clipping path. And of course it's a holiday weekend, I can't reach anyone who might have the original photo, and it's a rush job due Tuesday morning.

<sigh>

mxh

[annc]

Someone gave me a PSD file (CMYK photo) with a transparent background, and I need to get it into Quark with that transparent background intact.

It's got that gray and white checkerboard background, but when imported into Quark the background's white.

I assume that the only way to do this is by creating a clipping path, but figured I'd ask just in case there's some new trick I don't know about.
I seem to remember being able to do this with TIFFs way back when I was using XPress version 3. and it was always possible with EPSs. Or was that coming INTO Photoshop. My brain is curdled these days.

FWIW, Photoshop files with transparent backgrounds work in InDesign. I use them a lot.

[Franca]

I don't know about Quark, but the way to get a transparent background in Ventura was to use an alpha channel. Can you use the magic wand to select the checkerboard background in Photoshop and save that selection as a new channel? Then save as TIF and import into Quark? Maybe that will knock out the background the way it does in Ventura.

[Clayton]

I used to do that all the time by saving the file as an EPS with a clipping path, then plopping it into a Quark (version 4) container. I believe one must set the container's background property to 0% black or some such to see the transparent part in the Quark file.

Sometimes this doesn't work, as when importing vector EPS files with transparent backgrounds out of CorelDraw. This is due to the embedded preview that Corel puts into the file though. It will print correctly.

Anyway, I think the key you are looking for is in the setup of the Quark container that holds the EPS image.