PPT97: EPS Graphic Displays as Mostly Empty Frame (190092)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q190092

MORE INFORMATION

According to the EPS File Format published by Adobe Systems, EPS files should contain a "graphic representation" so that they "can be manipulated and displayed on a workstation's screen prior to printing." This representation is usually a low resolution black-and-white TIFF graphic, although it can, in theory, be a Windows Metafile. Some programs omit this preview to reduce the file size of the image. Others omit the preview because it is more difficult to create an EPS image with a preview than one without.

Most EPS files sold as clip art by commercial vendors have an image header. These images appear in PowerPoint and other applications.

EPS files created by using the Print To EPS File option in the Windows PostScript printer driver do not contain an image header. These appear in PowerPoint and other applications as a frame.

Illustration programs such as CorelDRAW and Micrografx Designer enable you to create EPS files with or without image headers.

CorelDRAW and Micrografx Designer are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

REFERENCES

"Encapsulated PostScript File Format," page 5, (c) Adobe Systems Incorporated, 1987.

SYMPTOMS

If you import an encapsulated PostScript (EPS) graphic into Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, it may display as a frame, not as a picture. This frame may contain only the name of the file and the name of the application that created it. This graphic prints correctly to a PostScript printer. If printed to any other type of printer, it prints the same as it appears on the screen.

CAUSE

This happens if the EPS file does not contain a screen representation of the image in the file header. If the file does contain this preview, PowerPoint displays a representation of the actual graphic rather than a frame. It is up to the application that created the EPS file to provide the image preview.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/9/2000
Keywords:kbgraphic kbinfo KB190092
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