Saving transparent background?

Okay, I suspect that what I'm trying to do is so easy and basic, it borders on ridiculous, but, I can NOT figure it out...

What I'm trying to do is this: I'm creating a publication in PageMaker 6.5. I want to enhance some of the text, with drop shadows, beveling etc... So, I open up Photoshop 7, get the text looking how I want, then try to save it as a graphic file which I can then "place" in the PM publication. But no matter what I've tried, there is always a background surrounding the graphic text. How can I save the enhanced text in PS, so that when I open it somewhere else, the background stays transparent (or there simply is no background)?

This is driving me up a wall!

Thank you!

- Dave A.

File>Save for web. Make sure you are saving as a gif with the transparency box checked.

Thanks, but that was one of the first things I tried. Background is still there when I place it?

- Dave A.

Can't Pagemaker import PDF files? You would think that it could...

You could probably use a PNG to do it... They have variable levels of transparency by using an alpha channel. I don't know if you can import that into pagemaker or not though.

Hi Dave,

you will have to create a clipping path in Photoshop via the Paths palette.

also, once the path has been created, » convert path to selection » invert the selection » delete the background (this step is important). then save as TIF, and in the options, check Save Transparency.

hope this helps. cheers!

gerard