CMYK / Grayscale Gradients

[fdog]

Hi,

Does anyone know the work-a-round for this issue?

I have an object that is 20% k (or c0 m0 y0 k20). If I apply a gradient from K20 to k0 (or c0 m0 y0 k20 TO c0 m0 y0 k0 ) The gradient is instantly converted to Screen Build Blacks (like c11 m7 y7 k0 )

Is this just something I have to live with?

Thanks!
Dan

[mwenz]

Hi Dan--look at the attached screen shots. The PDF was created using the Export option. I do use the Custom options

The Acrobat pre-flight shows only the black ink.

Take care, Mike

[fdog]

Thanks for the speedy response!

My final output isn't pdf, but tif. Regardless, This gradient issue happens within xara long before I have considered my output options. (See attachment)

This said, tif export is identical to what I am seeing in Xara.

Thank you

Dan

[Rik]

...The gradient is instantly converted to Screen Build Blacks (like c11 m7 y7 k0 )

Hi fdog.

What do you mean when you say 'Screen Build Blacks'

I have just applied a k20 to k0 fill and I get the attached result.
When I select eithere end of the fill, I get the numbers I entered (c0 m0 y0 k20 TO c0 m0 y0 k0?

[fdog]

I am not sure I am explaining myself well....

I think If I have a gradient, and one end is k20(20% black) and the other end is k0 (0% black) I think I should be able to sample values from k20 to k0. (like k20, k19, k18, k17 etc...)

Instead, I only get values like "c5 m5 y5 and k0".

Zero Black.

It looks fine on screen but If I export to CMYK tif the areas of gradient are like "c5 m5 y5 and k0"...the same thing I see in Xara before I export.

My xara is set to edit local colors in CMYK

BTW, a printer I work with refers to Rich Black as Screen Build Black. Sorry Wrong term.

[mwenz]

Using a PDF was an expedient means of checking the color is all.

Regardless of what XPD is displaying, it exports as a 100%, bonafide cmyK tiff file.

Note. Your screen displays in RGB. While this is perhaps something Xara could make a programming change to as regards the reporting of color, the screen will always be in RGB.

In PhotoShop, the test.tiff I just made reports as purely K values. PhotoShop Elements, which cannot natively handle CMYK, reports it and wants to convert it. But as I said, the Tiff is a correctly made CMYK tiff file.

Take care, Mike

[Rik]

Hi fdog.

I know what you mean because I already did what you say in Post #5.

I created the linear fill, according you your values and when I sampled the k20 part, I didn't get a k20 value.

The picture attached shows the top section looks exactly the same but has a different value. Maybe too close for the eye to see?!

I'm afraid only an Xpert will be able to answer this one!

[Rik]

I would have to say that I very rarely look at CMYK values.

I tend to use HSV or RGB.

If I look at the k20 part of the linear fill, that equates to #ebebeb
If I look at the sampled part, that also says #ebebeb

So, I have no clue as to why the CMYK values are different?!

[mwenz]

Hi Dan--what program are you checking the CMYK tiff in?

Take care, Mike