Hi there.
Looking for some advice on Freehand
I have just started producing picture books and have been told by the printers
they should be outputted as CMYK. Originally I created all the images in
fireworks and can only export as RGB. This in its self isn?t that much of a
problem as the printers can convert to CMYK during the printing process, but
obviously when the pics are converted the colours tend to differ slightly.
My question is this: If I get freehand, will I be able to design and export in
CMYK so the colours used in the original will hold true when they go to print?
Thanks
G4briel007

> fireworks and can only export as RGB. This in its self isn?t that much of a
> problem as the printers can convert to CMYK during the printing process, but
> obviously when the pics are converted the colours tend to differ slightly.
> My question is this: If I get freehand, will I be able to design and export in
> CMYK so the colours used in the original will hold true when they go to print?

RGB > CMYK conversion will always change colors. Colors like bright greens, oranges and violets will suffer the most. This is simply because rgb color space is much wider than cmyk.

So, the colors will change in any program and it is best to choose the one which has the best control over conversion. I would not necessarily use FreeHand because the color management is inadequate although it can be adjusted fairly well. For print KDS must be used (Preferences > Color).

The problem is that FreeHand cannot import all the effcts and although some can be reapplied they do not work in CMYK oputput.

The color conversion, however, is quite simple after opning png file select Name All Colors from the Xtras > Colors menu and then convert all colors that appear in Swatches palette to CMYK. But this applies only to outline objets and text. If FreeHand renders objects with effects they remain rgb.

Maybe saving as psd and making the connversion in Photoshop is a better choice but this will work only if your original files are about 300 dpi because resampling will scale only outline objects and text leaving effect values like intact.

****

It is maybe better to use FreeHand for cmyk output but then you cannot use raster effects. Or you can use Fireworks but you have to set the resolution to 300 dpi to avoid problems, this of course create large files. Also you cannot preview your art in CMYK in Fireworks.

So, there are options but make a few test files and send them to printer before starting to make the actual work. Usually printers are just pleasd if the technique is tested beforhand ensuring that problems do not come up just before the deadline.

Jukka