Inserting vector-based picture from file: printing problems

[schwabv]

I have a Word document created in Mac Word X. It has
multiple versions of our vector-based logo inserted as
pictures from file. The pictures are in Illustrator 8 EPS
format with previews, CMYK PostScript Level 2 and include
document thumbnails. I've saved a copy of the same EPS
with every preview format option available: B&W TIFF, 8-
bit opaque TIFF, 8-bit transparent TIFF, Mac B&W and Mac 8-
bit opaque. Then, I inserted them into the document to use
for print tests on multiple platforms and with multiple
versions of Word.

I'm testing on Word X for Mac, Word 97, 2000, XP (2002?)
for Windows. I've printed the document from all of these
versions. In all *but* Mac X, the graphics print jagged
like the way the preview looks on screen. When printed
from Mac X, they are crisp in clean. When printed to PDF
from Windows and Mac, they are crisp in clean in the PDF.
I've converted the EPS to a high-resolution PC TIFF image
and inserted it; it will print fine from Mac X, but jagged
from Windows.

In all cases, the EPS with 8-bit opaque TIFF preview
looked the best on screen.

Ultimately, I want to find the single best format for
vector-based pictures that:
* will print crisply and clearly from Word for Windows
and Mac
* will print to PDF crisply and clearly from Word for
Windows and Mac
* will remain vector-based for the ability to resize
picture within Word
* will have the highest quality preview display on
screen (no white box with text)

Are there settings to be tweaked that would help? Does the
printer have anything to do with this? It would be printed
on multiple laser printers.

Please advise. Thank you.

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Schwabv,

Word 2002 uses a different graphics engine and filter
than prior versions of Word. It generally displays
a rendering of the EPS graphic, while prior versions
displayed the preview and print the preview when
using a non-post script printers.

Word for Windows has no support for CMYK for display.

Generally WMF or EMF vector graphics will be handled
better in Word for Windows.

============
I have a Word document created in Mac Word X. It has
multiple versions of our vector-based logo inserted as
pictures from file. The pictures are in Illustrator 8 EPS
format with previews, CMYK PostScript Level 2 and include
document thumbnails. I've saved a copy of the same EPS
with every preview format option available: B&W TIFF, 8-
bit opaque TIFF, 8-bit transparent TIFF, Mac B&W and Mac 8-
bit opaque. Then, I inserted them into the document to use
for print tests on multiple platforms and with multiple
versions of Word.

I'm testing on Word X for Mac, Word 97, 2000, XP (2002?)
for Windows. I've printed the document from all of these
versions. In all *but* Mac X, the graphics print jagged
like the way the preview looks on screen. When printed
from Mac X, they are crisp in clean. When printed to PDF
from Windows and Mac, they are crisp in clean in the PDF.
I've converted the EPS to a high-resolution PC TIFF image
and inserted it; it will print fine from Mac X, but jagged
from Windows.

In all cases, the EPS with 8-bit opaque TIFF preview
looked the best on screen.

Ultimately, I want to find the single best format for
vector-based pictures that:
* will print crisply and clearly from Word for Windows
and Mac
* will print to PDF crisply and clearly from Word for
Windows and Mac
* will remain vector-based for the ability to resize
picture within Word
* will have the highest quality preview display on
screen (no white box with text)

Are there settings to be tweaked that would help? Does the
printer have anything to do with this? It would be printed
on multiple laser printers.

Please advise. Thank you. >>
--
Hope that helps,

Bob Buckland ? MS Word/Office MVP
http://forums.compuserve.com/gvforums/default.asp?SRV=MSOfficeForum
*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

 

[Jeroen Dekker]

Listen to Bob. He's right.

If your EPS file uses true curves, try using EMF instead of WMF. The
latter will turn them into polylines, whereas EMF can retain the
curves.

Our ps2vector software batch converts from EPS to both WMF and EMF -
I'll be glad to run your logo through it if you want.

Jeroen Dekker