How to combine multiple paths/vector masks into clipping path?

L
Posted By
leverinp
May 24, 2005
Views
2650
Replies
4
Status
Closed
I have several high res scanned pieces of art work and text that need to be combined in a single sheet of A4 and sent to a printer as a CMYK/EPS file with transparant background. I understand that I need to have a clipping path saved with this file. And here is what I’m struggling with: I spent quite some time to “clean up” the individual scans and have them now all available with vector masks and saved paths as Photoshop PSD files. I make a New document in PS CS2 (A4, 300 ppi) and drag all the individual scanned elements, including their vector masks, in. This way I end up with several layers + masks. All these vector masks show up in my Paths palette as well, and I can save each individual as a path. So far so good, but now what: how do I turn this into a file which can be saved as EPS and a clipping path? In other words, how do I combine all these paths (or vector masks) into one single path, which can be subsequently saved as a clipping path for output to EPS? Or is this approach overly complicated and might there be a simpler solution? Any help of this great forum is appreciated.

Piet Levering
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Y
YrbkMgr
May 24, 2005
how do I combine all these paths (or vector masks) into one single path, which can be subsequently saved as a clipping path for output to EPS?

Go to each path in the paths palette, then use the Path Selection tool to select a path, then use Edit|Copy/Edit|paste to combine all the vector paths into one path in the palette. Optionally delete the rest. Then create a clipping path from that new combined path from the paths palette, and save as EPS.
L
leverinp
May 24, 2005
Go to each path in the paths palette, then use the Path Selection tool to select a path, then use Edit|Copy/Edit|paste to combine all the vector paths into one path in the palette. Optionally delete the rest. Then create a clipping path from that new combined path from the paths palette, and save as EPS.

Wow, I learned something new here. I didn’t know you could actually copy/paste paths in the paths palette this way. This seems to do the trick! Maybe Adobe should add a Merge Paths command?

Thanks,

Piet
Y
YrbkMgr
May 24, 2005
Wow, I learned something new here.

That’s why no matter how busy I am, I can hardly stay away from this forum. Great place to learn.

Maybe Adobe should add a Merge Paths command?

They have one, but it’s used a little differently – Combine Paths, in the options bar when editing paths. Check the help file on this.
L
leverinp
May 24, 2005
That’s why no matter how busy I am, I can hardly stay away from this forum. Great place to learn.

You’re right, this forum IS great, thanks to knowledgeable people like you.

They have one, but it’s used a little differently – Combine Paths, in the options bar when editing paths. Check the help file on this.

I noticed and played a little with it, but couldn’t quite figure out how this would come to my rescue in this case. Oh well, I have a workaround and little time too, so it’s back to work.

Thanks again,
Piet

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