Application recommendations (applying clipping paths)

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pepsipepsi
Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
I need the ability to apply a photoshop clipping path to CMYK jpgs. I would prefer not to have to buy a bunch of copies of photshop. Applying a clipping path is the only thing we need to do before dropping the photos into InDesign. Elements does not support CMYK images. I don't need freeware, I don't mind paying for software, but Photoshop is kinda spendy for this one thing.



Any ideas out there?



One other thing, the software has to be rock solid, I want to put this into a production environment with tight deadlines ( daily newspaper)



thanks

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 3
    jrollerjroller Posts: 80member
    My first thought is that you could try GIMP, a free, open-source Photoshop alternative. GIMP Ihave never used it, but it is worth looking into.



    A workaround thought: Can you convert the images to RGB to create your paths and then convert back to CMYK before dropping them into InDesign? If Elements won't do it, you can use Graphic Converter: Graphic Converter It shipped pre-installed on some of my Macs (see sig) and you may already have it, but it is shareware and the cost is only $30.



    In the end, a single copy of Photoshop would not be a bad investment.
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  • Reply 2 of 3
    pepsipepsi Posts: 55member
    I thought about GIMP but haven't tried it yet. We already own photoshop, but I need this on multiple desktops. I would need to purchase additional copies in order to remain legal. In the long run it looks like Photoshop is going to be the best choice. thanks for the input. I will check out Graphic Converter, but I don't think it can do clipping paths.
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  • Reply 3 of 3
    jrollerjroller Posts: 80member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by pepsi View Post


    I thought about GIMP but haven't tried it yet. We already own photoshop, but I need this on multiple desktops. I would need to purchase additional copies in order to remain legal. In the long run it looks like Photoshop is going to be the best choice. thanks for the input. I will check out Graphic Converter, but I don't think it can do clipping paths.



    Actually, I meant that you could possibly use GC to convert the color mode to RGB to add clipping paths in PS and then convert it back to CMYK when completed. Though, upon further thought, I'm not sure it adjusts color modes or not...



    It was just a workaround idea based on what you had.



    Yeah... if it weren't for that "remain legal" thing, life would be a lot cheaper.



    Before you drop that much money for X copies of PS, you ought to give GIMP a test. Being in education, I get things (often) heavily discounted. Full price for multiple machines adds up. You've got nothing to lose to try it on one machine and see how well it works in your workflow.
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