andrea_roberts

I am sending some images to a printing company, and they require that all files are saved in CMYK format. I've checked the modes, and all I have is bitmap, grayscale, and RGB. How do I save in CMYK?

I am running Photoshop Elements (Version: 5.1) on Windows XP, PC.

beth_haney

Andrea, Elements can't do CMYK natively. There is at least one "hack" that will allow you to get CMYK, but it needs to be purchased. It's also somewhat awkward to use if you need to work with it a lot. CMYK capability is one of the more advanced features Adobe left out of Elements to keep the price down. Full PS is the app most use when they need to send image files for professional printing.

Here's the site, but know it's a commercial one!

<http://www.hiddenelements.com/index.html>

grant_dixon

Andrea

In fact Elements is a great program but it may not fit you needs.

If you need CMYK you might be interested in Adobe Photoshop at
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html

or CorelDraw Graphic Suit 11
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel/Products/productInfo&id=1042153079054

or CorelDraw Essential which is CorelDraw 9 a very powerful program at an
extremely reduced price
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel/Products/productInfo&id=1042152774096&did=1042153079054

Finally you may be interested in PaintShop Pro at http://www.jasc.com/

I have and use all three and if money is a problem CorelDraw Essential is an
absolute killer product and at $79 US is a steal.

Grant

andrea_roberts

From what I've learned in just the last half hour of surfing these forums, Photoshop Elements isn't that great. It's been nice for me to learn on, but it looks like I should start saving up for the full version.

Thanks anyways!

ray

While being on the subject... CorelDraw Essentials is now a qualifying product to get CorelDraw or
CorelDraw Suite at the upgrade price.

Ray

richard_lynch

"From what I've learned in just the last half hour of surfing these forums, Photoshop Elements isn't that great. It's been nice for me to learn on, but it looks like I should start saving up for the full version. "

My first response was "Poppycock." but I changed my mind. Depending on what you need to do, you may find what you need in Elements -- IF you learn how to use it. i use Elements PROFESSIONALLY. And that is from a Photoshop user of some 11+ years. Not that great? Tell me what it is that Elements CAN'T do.

Beside record actions (it plays back), 16-bit, VOLUME CMYK (it can do CMYK with the right techniques), and the lack of Image Ready, it does what you need. What do you plan to do?

Richard Lynch

mark_reibman

"From what I've learned in just the last half hour of surfing these forums, Photoshop Elements isn't that great. It's been nice for me to learn on, but it looks like I should start saving up for the full version. "

I'm surprised you would get that from this forum, although people do come here for problem solving but if you look at the Challenge images you may not get the impression that Photoshop Elements isn't that great. There's a lot more to this program than may meet the eye, IMO.

Richard has thrown down the gauntlet. So what is it that Photoshop Elements can't do for you that Photoshop would?

andrea_roberts

Sorry to step on people's toes. I'm not a very experienced user, so I'm sure I don't know what I'm talking about. I was just under the impression that Elements lacked a lot of useful tools, and since I am learning with the aim to work professionally, I thought it would be a good investment to get the full version. For instance, I need the ability to save in CMYK or Duotones format, as required by the printing company I need to send my work to. I have read in these forums that I can't do this with Elements (without a hack), but you say it can do CMYK with the right techniques - could you explain to me how to do this?

And what are your opinions of Corel programs in comparison to Photoshop? $79 is an attractive price.

grant_dixon

Andrea

In the past I have made a living using Corel. It is an excellent program
and the Version 9 at $79 is very hard to beat. What you get is in fact two
programs, CorelDraw and PhotoPaint and a few smaller ones add on as well.
CorelDraw is a vector program an is without equal. Photopaint is comparable
to Photoshop and a lot easier to use than Photoshop when it comes to adding
text. The positive side to Photoshop is the *standard* so there is lots of
third party extras. While Corel Photopaint can use all the plug-in there is


Grant

joann_amerson

Andrea -

Do you happen to have Acrobat Standard or Professional? If you do, you can
create a CMYK .pdf file which I'm sure you're printer can accept.


sure I don't know what I'm talking about. I was just under the impression
that Elements lacked a lot of useful tools, and since I am learning with the
aim to work professionally, I thought it would be a good investment to get
the full version. For instance, I need the ability to save in CMYK or
Duotones format, as required by the printing company I need to send my work
to. I have read in these forums that I can't do this with Elements (without
a hack), but you say it can do CMYK with the right techniques - could you
explain to me how to do this?


$79 is an attractive price.