pict support gone

[daknecht]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

In Office 2004, you can control click on a graph and export it as a pict file. That is the only file type I know of that supports vector graphics so it can be edited after export. All the others are bitmapped formats. The loss of this function means that Excel is no longer of any use to me as I always have to post edit graphs in a drawing program. Is there any way to regain this functionality?

 

[Harvey Waxman]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

In Office 2004, you can control click on a graph and export it as a pict
file. That is the only file type I know of that supports vector graphics so
it can be edited after export. All the others are bitmapped formats. The loss
of this function means that Excel is no longer of any use to me as I always
have to post edit graphs in a drawing program. Is there any way to regain
this functionality?

Maybe I'm misreading this but can't you grab the chart (cmd-shift-4)
and edit the resulting png file? Graphic converter can save it as a
pict file if necessary as well.

 

[daknecht]

png is a bitmapped format while pict is a vector format. With the vector format, lines are mathematcal lines and text is true text. In png, gif, tiff etc. there are no objects, but everything is pixels. So with bitmaps, you cannot edit elements of a graph as objects, plus you lose the inherent unlimited resolution and scalability of vector graphics. If you save a png as pict from Graphic converter, you still don't have vector objects.

 

[Harvey Waxman]

png is a bitmapped format while pict is a vector format. With the vector
format, lines are mathematcal lines and text is true text. In png, gif, tiff
etc. there are no objects, but everything is pixels. So with bitmaps, you
cannot edit elements of a graph as objects, plus you lose the inherent
unlimited resolution and scalability of vector graphics. If you save a png as
pict from Graphic converter, you still don't have vector objects.

I see. Hope you get an answer.

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

png is a bitmapped format while pict is a vector format. With the vector format, lines are mathematcal lines and text is true text. In png, gif, tiff etc. there are no objects, but everything is pixels. So with bitmaps, you cannot edit elements of a graph as objects, plus you lose the inherent unlimited resolution and scalability of vector graphics. If you save a png as pict from Graphic converter, you still don't have vector objects.

Hi,

When I copy the graph to the clipboard and switch to Graphic Converter I
use File > New > Image using clipboard. GC says it is PICT format.

See if that helps.

-Jim

 

[daknecht]

I tried it and as you say, it says the image is PICT, but if you look at it the text is clearly a bitmap, and if you open the file in Canvas, it is bitmapped.

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

I tried it and as you say, it says the image is PICT, but if you look at it the text is clearly a bitmap, and if you open the file in Canvas, it is bitmapped.

Hi again,

Microsoft is trying to follow Apple's lead in letting PICT die.
Unfortunately that leaves us without a vector format.

Please send feedback to Microsoft explaining the business case for
re-establishing PICT or some other common vector format. Use Help > Send
Feedback in Excel.

Thanks.

-Jim