Fireworks - how do I save an image as CMYK?

[HelenDev]

Does anyone know whether I can save/export an image as CMYK from Fireworks? I realise that it is designed for screen not print, but I need to use it for both.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Helen.

[Serio]

I dont think it is possible - but you could open the rgb image in Photoshop and convert to CMYK there

[pageoneresults]

You could also export the file as a Photoshop .psd file. Was the graphic originally created in Fireworks? If so, do you have it saved in .png format? That will work too.

[HelenDev]

Unfortunately I don't have Photoshop, only studio MX with Fireworks, Freehand et al.

The images are being sent to me, but some are in 72dpi resolution, if I go into fireworks to change to 300dpi it always saves as rgb which is not what I want.

The images ultimately need to be saved as tiff or eps.

I was thinking maybe I need to download a bit of freeware which can just convert my images, anyone got any recommendations?

Helen.

[limbo]

You can open fireworks documents (PNG's) in freehand. there you will automatically be converted to CMYK unless specified. You can then and export them in various print formats (as far as I can remember)

Ta

Limbo

[HelenDev]

Thanks Limbo.

I see what you mean here, but there still seems to be some problems. Freehand does let me export the image as a tiff, but when I import it back in or open it, it is still RGB. There aren't any settings to choose color system when I export, unless I choose eps which is not really what I want.

*sigh*

Fortunately I have persuaded the printer in question to accept my RGB pics, but it would be nice to be able to fix these things myself!

I generally much prefer Fireworks to Photoshop, but this is a real pain in the butt.

Helen (frustrated).

[Krapulator]

Fireworks is designed purely for on-screen design and thus only works with RGB.

Paintshop Pro is a reasonably priced program that works well with CMYK images if you don't want to go all out and purchase photoshop.

[HelenDev]

Cheers for the info, Krapulator.

Unfortunately the company I work for aren't keen on spending money unless I can prove that their livelihood depends on it. I'll bear it in mind for the future though.

I realise that Fireworks is designed for on-screen design but it does let you save images as 300dpi which is not for screen - surely it wouldn't hurt them to add the colour choice to their program?

Also, 'studio' MX was supposedly, I imagined, a complete solution, as Freehand is not for web, it's more of a (somewhat inferior) answer to QuarkXpress. Other than the colour problems it could be used for both print and screen.

Helen.

[limbo]

Helen

Freehand is closer to Adobe illustrator than Quark.

I agree with you aout the supported colour types and file extensions. To have EPS and PSD compatibility would be useful.

Just wondering what are you attempting to produce? - printers will except high res images in RGB and not charge for the prepress work

I, like you, am limited by funding for our team (they will not give us a Quark! - I have to work with pagemaker :( ) but there are always work-arounds for every job.

Ta

Limbo

[HelenDev]

Freehand is closer to Adobe illustrator than Quark

Aha, you may well be right. I'm not all that familiar with Illustrator.

Currently I am doing some pages for a catalogue (to be printed professionally). My main work is on the company website which is why I went for StudioMX. I also do some flyers (printed very unprofessionally on my desktop printer!)

The printer originally specified CMYK images were required but was OK when I said I could only do RGB. I'm sure I read somewhere that printers didn't like accepting RGB images because they didn't want to be held responsible for any colour changes.

Helen.

[Serio]

< they didn't want to be held responsible for any colour changes...

This can be a problem - nice bright colours in RGB can just die when converted to CMYK - be prepared for a shock. Also, when printed, colours can look flat.