2018

PICTURES
274 | A Guide to QuarkXPress 2018
that using a clipping path around an alpha channel will create a hard edge
rather than a blended effect. If you want a semi-opaque blend, use an alpha
mask. (See “Working with alpha masks.”)
Choose Non-White Areas to create a clipping path based on the picture’s•
subject. Depending on the image and the value in the Threshold field, the
clipping path will outline a non-white figure within a larger white or near-white
image (or vice versa). The Non-White Areas option works best when the
unwanted parts of the image are much lighter than the subject itself (or vice
versa).
Choose Picture Bounds to clip a picture around the rectangular “canvas area” of•
the imported picture file. This includes any white background areas saved with
the original picture file. Enter values in the Top, Left, Bottom, and Right fields
to determine the outset of the clipping path from the picture’s boundaries.
Positive values increase the outset, and negative values decrease the outset.
The green path in the Preview area corresponds to the clipping path, and the blue
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outline corresponds to the picture box.
Using embedded clipping paths
You can use image-editing applications to embed paths and alpha channels in an
image. If a picture storing this information is imported into QuarkXPress, you can
access the path and channel information using the Clipping tab of the
Measurements palette on.
TIFFs and PSDs can have embedded paths and alpha channels. EPS, BMP, JPEG, and
PICT files can only have embedded paths.
Manipulating clipping paths
After you apply a clipping path, choose Item > Edit > Clipping Path to enable
clipping path editing. Then choose one of the following tools: The Select Point tool
, the Add Point tool , the Remove Point tool , and the Convert Point tool
. For more information, see “
Tools.”
You can also manipulate clipping paths with the controls in the Measurements
palette. To change a point from one type to another, use one of the following three
buttons:
Symmetrical Point : A symmetrical point connects two curved lines to form•
a continuous curve. The result is similar to a smooth point, but the curve
handles always rest on a straight line through the point and are always
equidistant from the point.
Smooth Point : A smooth point connects two curved lines to form a•
continuous curve. The curve handles always rest on a straight line through the
point, but they can be distanced independently.
Corner Point : A corner point connects two straight lines, a straight line•
and a curved line, or two noncontinuous curved lines. With curved lines, the