Printing eps files from word

[bjf624]

Hello and Thanks for reading,

I was having trouble deciding where to post my question because I am working with open source software, XMGrace, but importing image files into Word (office XP).

Anyway, I make eps files from plots in XMGrace. I have installed the eps importer for Word. The importing process works fine.

My problem is when I need to print, either to a file or to a printer, Word does not recognize the bounding boxes defined in the eps file. Word prints the vector graphic just fine (looks very good), but it adds a bunch of white space covering up the text in my document. The funny thing is that when Word renders an image file to show on-screen it recognizes the bounding box, or else I wouldn't be able to see my text.

Basically, I am trying to find out if anyone knows how to print an eps file from Word (Office XP) that recognizes the bounding box.

Thanks a bunch,

-bjf

[bjf624]

Well thanks for so many views. I guess nobody had any ideas? But, after a couple of years of dealing with this, I finally figured it out. It was a simple setting problem. Read on if you are having the same troubles I described in my original post.

So, it turns out when Office XP (2002) imports an eps graphic, it does not always assign a Layout. If the Layout is not assigned, (for some reason I still don't understand) the graphic will cover the text surrounding it. You find the Layout by

Right click on the graphic-->Left Click on "Format Picture"-->Click on the tab "Layout"

Then choose one of the 5 possible Layouts. Only "In line with text", "Square", and "Tight" work. "Behind Text", and "In front of text" do not work. They will result in the white spaces covering up the text.

Anyway, I hope this helps other people than just myself.

Regards,

-bjf624

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Thank yo for the feedback - it is appreciated.

[bjf624]

Well in case anyone runs into this posting, I should add another point about my previous post. Though choosing certain layouts in Word does look correct when Word prints to a PS printer, it is still printing the whole ps file (note: not eps file) ignoring the bounding box and printing the background whitespace. I think the real setting that matters is whether the figure is behind text or in front of it. If it is behind text then the whitespace will not cover the text. If it is in front of text, it will cover the text up.

The simple solution seems to be to always have the figures sitting behind the text. However, that may not always suit your needs. In fact, I have one figure that overlays another. On screen it looks fine because the bounding box is correctly rendered. However, when printed, the figure on top covers the figure below with its whitespace. Though Word (2002, XP) can import eps files and render previews of the bounded image, it cannot print the *.ps file with a bounding box (*.eps file).

I have found, however, that OOWriter, can print the eps files correctly. When printing, I will probably have to use it.

best,

-bjf624

[Irene]

Glad to see that you found a resolution, bjf624. :D

Although I am not familiar with eps files, I did a little research - just out of interest. :)

I came across THIS, which looked, to my inexperienced eye, to be relevant.

However, it would appear to be a more involved solution, even if it achieves the required result. :D

[bjf624]

Glad to see that you found a resolution, bjf624. :D

Although I am not familiar with eps files, I did a little research - just out of interest. :)

I came across THIS, which looked, to my inexperienced eye, to be relevant.

However, it would appear to be a more involved solution, even if it achieves the required result. :D

Hey Irene,

Thanks for your post. I checked out the link you posted. I did not read the whole thing, however, I believe that website is designed to help you just print a *.ps file or *.eps file. It does not help you print an embedded file in Word. I can print *.ps files or *.eps files alone fairly easily. I have Cygwin installed and I just run on the command line:

$ps2pdf funnyfile.ps funnyfile.pdf

I very much appreciate your effort, however. In fact, I have posted here and another place regarding this issue and an OpenOffice Writer issue and you are the only one who, seemingly, made an attempt to answer my question.

If anyone reading would like to know a little bit about *.ps files, I have written a little bit here, at least quoting Steve Paulson and Anne Strainchamps: "To the Best of my Knowledge."

From my understanding, postscript files (*ps files) are vector formats, meaning that the images are not drawn with pixels, rather they are drawn with vectors. This way when you resize the image, the length and direction of the vector changes, not the number of pixels--allowing for zero quality loss during a figure resize. The word "print" does not refer to a physical printer, however it can. "Printing" refers to rendering the vector format into something visible. In fact, I have read the Gods of *.ps files go on and on about how postscript files are not images. You can only see a picture from a postscript file if you have a postscript "printer." So, I can print my funnyfile.ps to a *.pdf file. In that case, I have printed the vectors to a visible pdf file. My problem is that I have images embedded in Word. Once they are in Word (*.doc), I have difficultly understanding how to print them correctly.

One way that I will probably not investigate is: you can install a postscript driver (already packaged with Windows) and just print to a *.prn file (printer file). You can then run the "ps2pdf" command above and whala!, you have just printed your postscript file to a visible pdf file. If I could figure out how to edit the printer file, I might be able to get the embedded postcript file to print correctly... If I do, I will post it here.

Anyway...