Achieving Reliable Print Output from Adobe ... - Adobe Partners

Flattener resolution settings
The resolution settings control the resolution (in pixels per inch) that rasterized transparent
areas receive during flattening. There are two settings common to all Adobe publishing software
and one that is unique to Adobe Illustrator software:
• Line Art and Text Resolution: This setting determines the resolution applied to areas that need
to be rasterized because they are too complex to be retained in a vector form based on the
current Raster/Vector Balance setting. The Line Art and Text setting is primarily intended for
vector objects, but in some cases, the Flattener may also apply it to type or images. Typically,
this resolution should be set to match the resolution of your output device.
• Gradient and Mesh Resolution: This setting determines the resolution applied to any meshes
and gradients that are involved in transparency. In addition, InDesign CS applies this resolution
to all InDesign drop shadows and feathered edges. It controls the resolution of all meshes
and gradients printed to PostScript Level 1 and Level 2 RIPs that don’t support the PostScript 3
“Smooth Shading” feature. The Flattener will ignore this setting if mesh- or gradient-filled
objects aren’t involved in transparency and are printed to a PostScript 3 RIP.
• Document Raster Effects Settings Resolution (Illustrator 10 and CS only): This setting
determines the resolution applied to all raster effects in Illustrator. These effects include drop
shadows, vignettes, and feathered edges.
Flattener options
Flattener options provide important controls that may improve the final appearance of transparent
objects after flattening. The possible flattener options include the following:
• Convert All Text to Outlines: This setting controls how type is processed, and causes the Flattener
to convert all type to outlines, whether the type interacts with transparency or not. In
some cases, this option eliminates flattening artifacts that are apparent on-screen and when
printing to lower resolution output devices.
• Convert All Strokes to Outlines: This setting controls the processing of strokes and causes the
Flattener to convert all strokes to outlines—whether they interact with transparency or not. In
some cases, this option eliminates flattening artifacts that are apparent on-screen and when
printed to lower resolution output devices.
• Clip Complex Regions: This setting controls the Flattener’s analysis of complexity regions
(discussed later in this chapter). When chosen, this option creates clipping paths around these
portions of a transparent design.
• Preserve Alpha Transparency (Object Flattening in Illustrator CS): This setting is only applicable
to explicit flattening in Illustrator by using the Object > Flatten Transparency option.
The concept of alpha transparency only takes into account the attribute of opacity; it does not
include blending modes. After you’ve flattened the transparency with this option chosen, alpha
transparency remains and the resulting artwork is suited for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)
and Macromedia Flash File Format (SWF) web file formats. All objects with blend modes other
than Normal are flattened, and their appearances are preserved. In general, you should not use
this setting in the context of print workflows.
• Preserve Overprints and Spot Colors (Object Flattening in Illustrator CS): This setting is
only applicable to explicit flattening in Illustrator by using the Object > Flatten Transparency
option. The Preserve Overprints and Spot Colors setting produces the same affect as Preserve
Overprints in the Advanced pane of the Print dialog box.
Flattener presets
In InDesign CS and Illustrator CS software, you control the Flattener’s settings by using transparency
flattener presets. You can use one of the three built-in presets or create custom presets of
your own. You can save, export, and distribute custom presets to other computers in your organization
and, if necessary, to your customers. Presets make it easy to ensure consistent flattening
results throughout the workflow.
Achieving reliable print output from Adobe
applications when using transparency
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