Editing an image in word

[Al G.]

I received a Word document with images. I want to edit these but the
built-in Microsoft Word editor has limited function. When I copy/paste
to my favorite image editing program, the quality dropped since some
images (like screen shots of dialog boxes) are converted to bit map in
the pasting action so text get splotchy. It seems to paste as is only to
some office applications like Publisher.

If I look at Tools / Options / Edit / Picture Editor, there is only one
option: Microsoft Word. A search through the knowledge base states it
obviously the picture editor application's responsibility to register
itself for Word to use. I have Photoshop and Paintshop installed on my
PC and neither are registered.

I was able to do it by pasting into Publisher and then using Publisher's
picture save as option but I am curious what is going on here. I am not
a image expert but the image in word is some vector type image
(metafile?) and gets converted to bitmap when pasted so it. So, how do I
get the picture out of word and into an image editor without the
degradation?

What is the pasting to an image editor not doing that pasting to
Publisher is doing?

Al

 

[Al G.]

I have done more research on my own question. It appears I can install
Microsoft Picture Editor from a prior release to Office 2003. I have
Office 2000 and it includes Picture Editor 3.01. I assume can try to
install that since a knowledge base entry mentions installing from XP.

I have an older PC with Office 2000 installed and I can edit files ok.
Microsoft state that Picture Manager is replaced by the Office Picture
Manager yet it is not registered either !

Al