I enjoy the Adobe products. I love Photoshop and and I love InDesign. I don't like the fact that Adobe is getting SO big. I'm afraid they'll turn into another Microsoft.
I, myself, appreciate being able to use native formats, so that when I make a change in Photoshop, I can update it in InDesign without having to make multiple files in EPS or TIF. I've also looked into DAM solutions where you can have a native file as an asset and then generate other formats on the fly. I think this is also beneficial to getting the most current image, etc. in the format you need (i.e., JPG for web, TIF for print).
However, I don't see how everything can migrate to native file formats. Quark won't even use Adobe's PDF; Quark generates its PDF's in another way. So what makes you think that they will eventually allow you to import Photoshop documents? I don't think you can even import InDesign documents... at least not yet. Yes, I know that there is the possibility that Quark will go the way of PageMaker, but it will take a LONG time for that to happen as well.
You also have those who are creating whole newsletters and proposals in programs like Microsoft Word, and I don't ever see Microsoft importing native Photoshop documents. And, even though the web grows by leaps and bounds, I can't see using a native Photoshop document as an asset in a web page, there is just too much data there to download.
So, I guess I'll say that I don't see everything going to native formats ONLY, but I will say I like the workflow that Adobe is trying to create among it's programs.
I agree with your article. File formats, like most other evolving technology, come and go. File formats exist only until a "better" fix appears. Then one day, BANG! a format begins to "walk" upright to better serve it's needs... anyway, you get the idea...
Sure, it's frustrating as working stiffs in the trenches to chase our tails keeping up. However, no one has to welcome rapidly changing file formats with open arms, but a gentle embrace should serve us well.
IRONIC CANNIBALISM?? - the initial release of what we call "Photoshop" today was primarily invented out of the need to convert amongst file formats.
BTW - Alluding to your comment about InDesign starting this PSD format revolution: PageMaker actually imported native Photoshop files way BEFORE InDesign...with Transparency!
Submitted by Terry Veiga on Tue, 02/24/2004 - 19:15.
Andreas, I'm highly sceptical about the promises Adobe makes for its PS-ID-PDF workflow; I'm also highly sceptical of people who parrot their sales pitches as journalism and consultancy. As of last year Adobe was still admitting that native file support for its model of live transparency is not entirely trustworthy. Anyone producing quality prepress artwork who closely examines the role of flattening/rasterising within InDesign at output time will recognise it for the kludge it is. It creates TIFF and EPS formats on the fly, allowing only the most rudimentary controls for this process, and then 'stitches' them back into the artwork! The way Illustrator 10 does this is especially ruinous, and the majority of people I know are happier with Illustrator 8 for this reason. While you mention TIFF & EPS standards as being a bit long in the tooth in your first paragraph, the rest of the article tells us what we know already - digital photographers like the RAW format - so what's new? Are they the people who have to colour separate those images - I don't think so. TIFF & EPS evolved over 17 years when Adobe was obliged to consult with the industry at large; now, when they have 97% of the market with PhotoShop, they do what the hell they like. That includes releasing beta versions of InDesign as a commercial product. Finally, to claim that IT managers are somehow responsible for content creation is both misguided and irresponsible. I'll stay with a TIFF/EPS workflow I can trust, thankyou.
Submitted by ben archer on Tue, 01/27/2004 - 10:48.
The article hits the nail on the head. Using InDesign with native Photoshop and Illustrator files saves a great deal of time. Adobe Creative Suite is simply the best for working with most file formats.
I think it will take a while
I enjoy the Adobe products. I love Photoshop and and I love InDesign. I don't like the fact that Adobe is getting SO big. I'm afraid they'll turn into another Microsoft.
I, myself, appreciate being able to use native formats, so that when I make a change in Photoshop, I can update it in InDesign without having to make multiple files in EPS or TIF. I've also looked into DAM solutions where you can have a native file as an asset and then generate other formats on the fly. I think this is also beneficial to getting the most current image, etc. in the format you need (i.e., JPG for web, TIF for print).
However, I don't see how everything can migrate to native file formats. Quark won't even use Adobe's PDF; Quark generates its PDF's in another way. So what makes you think that they will eventually allow you to import Photoshop documents? I don't think you can even import InDesign documents... at least not yet. Yes, I know that there is the possibility that Quark will go the way of PageMaker, but it will take a LONG time for that to happen as well.
You also have those who are creating whole newsletters and proposals in programs like Microsoft Word, and I don't ever see Microsoft importing native Photoshop documents. And, even though the web grows by leaps and bounds, I can't see using a native Photoshop document as an asset in a web page, there is just too much data there to download.
So, I guess I'll say that I don't see everything going to native formats ONLY, but I will say I like the workflow that Adobe is trying to create among it's programs.
Album vs CD...
I agree with your article. File formats, like most other evolving technology, come and go. File formats exist only until a "better" fix appears. Then one day, BANG! a format begins to "walk" upright to better serve it's needs... anyway, you get the idea...
Sure, it's frustrating as working stiffs in the trenches to chase our tails keeping up. However, no one has to welcome rapidly changing file formats with open arms, but a gentle embrace should serve us well.
IRONIC CANNIBALISM?? - the initial release of what we call "Photoshop" today was primarily invented out of the need to convert amongst file formats.
BTW - Alluding to your comment about InDesign starting this PSD format revolution: PageMaker actually imported native Photoshop files way BEFORE InDesign...with Transparency!
Streamlining formats for workflow is the best practical route.
Love it, support it, and use it. It only gets better from here!
your exaggerated report of the death of TIFF & EPS
Andreas, I'm highly sceptical about the promises Adobe makes for its PS-ID-PDF workflow; I'm also highly sceptical of people who parrot their sales pitches as journalism and consultancy. As of last year Adobe was still admitting that native file support for its model of live transparency is not entirely trustworthy. Anyone producing quality prepress artwork who closely examines the role of flattening/rasterising within InDesign at output time will recognise it for the kludge it is. It creates TIFF and EPS formats on the fly, allowing only the most rudimentary controls for this process, and then 'stitches' them back into the artwork! The way Illustrator 10 does this is especially ruinous, and the majority of people I know are happier with Illustrator 8 for this reason. While you mention TIFF & EPS standards as being a bit long in the tooth in your first paragraph, the rest of the article tells us what we know already - digital photographers like the RAW format - so what's new? Are they the people who have to colour separate those images - I don't think so. TIFF & EPS evolved over 17 years when Adobe was obliged to consult with the industry at large; now, when they have 97% of the market with PhotoShop, they do what the hell they like. That includes releasing beta versions of InDesign as a commercial product. Finally, to claim that IT managers are somehow responsible for content creation is both misguided and irresponsible. I'll stay with a TIFF/EPS workflow I can trust, thankyou.
The InDesign CS/Adobe CS workflow
The article hits the nail on the head. Using InDesign with native Photoshop and Illustrator files saves a great deal of time. Adobe Creative Suite is simply the best for working with most file formats.