Thanks to Palettes and Automated Tasks, you can create bespoke separation buttons, taking the process of quick separating to the next level and saving you valuable time. HiFi Separations are for the most part based on a variation of CMYK and additional spot colour layers.
The idea is to use a set of clean, saturated spot colours and apply the separation of these to designs with similar colour schemes in order to get a head start when separating.
HiFi separations using Advanced Colour
- Using your Pipette Tool, pick clean, saturated colours from your design and add them as 8 bit layers (alternatively, you can use the shortcut ⌘ + ⇧ + click). Tweak the colours if necessary.
- Go to Separate Menu > Advanced Colour. If you have an AVA Technical Separations license, you can also include automated CMYK separations in your Palette.
- Make your image visible but not active and activate all your layers. You can split the views if you wish, so you can display your original image on one side and the separation on the other.
- Click on the ‘Make’ button in the Advanced Colour Window. An icon will appear on the layers indicating they are now in separation mode.
- Adjust your separation using the slider bars and Gamma Pane in your Advanced Colour window. Do not fix the layers. Concentrate on getting good colour balance and coverage rather than creating the perfect separation for the specific design as we are aiming to make a universal button.
- When you are happy, go to File Menu > New > Palette.
- Activate all the spot layers and double click on the Document handler in the Design Window. Drag the option ‘Create Layers’ to the palette. This will create an initial button.
- You can hold down ⌥ (option key) and click on the button to reveal the list of actions.
- Double click on the handler in the Layers Palette and drag the option ‘Select Layers’ to the action list. Drop it beneath ‘Create Layers’.
- Click on the spanner icon to reveal the Editor and set the following:
- Make Matching Layers - selected.
- All - of the following are true
- Index is in the last 8 layers
Simply put, this will select all your spot layers (minus the image).
- Go to AVA Menu > Settings > Menus. Click on the disclosure triangle for the Separate Menu to reveal the drop down list of functions.
- Drag the settings handler for Advanced Colour into the Palette twice. Once to create a ‘make’ action and once to add a ‘fix’.
- Finally, double click on the handler in the Layers Palette and drag the option ‘Visible Layers’ to the Palette.
- Click on the spanner icon to reveal the Editor and once again set the following:
- Make matching layers - Visible
- All - of the following are true
- Index is in the last 8 layers
This will show only your separation (minus the image).
- Rename this button by typing the new title in the text box and create a custom icon if desired.
- The final list of actions in the HiFi button should look something like this:
FAQ: How can I edit the separation after applying the HIFI button?
If you wish to apply a HiFi Separation button to one of your tonal designs and would like to carry on editing the separation of the layers, please follow the below steps:
- Apply the HiFi Button to your Image.
- Go to Separate > Advanced Colour.
- Make sure all of your spot layers are active (they should be as the button includes an action to select the spot layers).
- Edit > Undo Separate Colour Fix (or alternatively use the shortcut ⌘ (command key) + z).
- The icons will now appear on your layers indicating you can use the slider bar and Gamma Pane in the Advanced Colour window to edit the separation.
Coming soon in AVA 5.9 - A new way to create Palettes
For more information on these changes please click here.
HiFi separations using Advanced Colour
- Using your Pipette Tool, pick clean, saturated colours from your design and add them as 8 bit layers (alternatively, you can use the shortcut ⌘ + ⇧ + click). Tweak the colours if necessary.
- Go to Separate Menu > Advanced Colour. If you have an AVA Technical Separations license, you can also include automated CMYK separations in your Palette.
- Make your image visible but not active and activate all your layers. You can split the views if you wish, so you can display your original image on one side and the separation on the other.
- Click on the ‘Make’ button in the Advanced Colour Window. An icon will appear on the layers indicating they are now in separation mode.
- Adjust your separation using the slider bars and Gamma Pane in your Advanced Colour window. Do not fix the layers. Concentrate on getting good colour balance and coverage rather than creating the perfect separation for the specific design as we are aiming to make a universal button.
- When you are happy, go to File Menu > New > Palette.
- Activate all the spot layers and search for Create Layers. Drag this option into the centre to create an action
- Search for Select Layers in the action list. Drag and drop it beneath ‘Create Layers’.
Click on the spanner icon to reveal the Editor and set the following:
Make Matching Layers - selected.
All - of the following are true
Index is in the last 8 layers
Simply put, this will select all your spot layers (minus the image). Search for Advanced Colour and add this to your action twice - once for making the separation and once for fixing it. To change the mode click the icon next to Advanced Colour
Search for Visible Layers in the Palette Window and add this to the action. Set the settings as below to show your separation.
