What is the EPS format and what do you need?

EPS stands for «Encapsulated PostScript» and refers to a graphic file format based on the PostScript page description language. This format was groundbreaking and laid the foundation for today’s PDF files, though it is now considered somewhat outdated. In this article, you will learn where EPS files are still relevant and discover which programs can be used to open them if you encounter one.

1. What does «postscript» mean?

Postscript is a file format developed by Adobe in the mid -1980s, which describes the structure and shape of the documents. It serves as a basic technology for controlling output devices (e.g. printer or plotter) and also represents an elementary basis for desktop publication.

With the post -Script format it was possible for the first time to present documents on the screen while later they appear on the expression (key word «Evoked«,» What you see is what you get «). It is also completely independent of some platforms or resolutions. Images, texts and graphics can be shown and printed in the same high quality. PDF is also based on Postscript. Therefore, PS files can be converted into a PDF with a corresponding program (such as Adobe Distiller).

2. EPS supports graphics and images

The EPS («Postscript Incapsilate» format) is a further development of PostScript, in which graphic files (including pixels and vector graphics) («encapsulated») can also be integrated. Among other things, he defines the content module (circle, line, photos etc.) and its position on the page.

The EPS files fit perfectly into the postscript workflow and are usually integrated into the transmission of data at the time of exposure or during the output. This means that in addition to the actual information of the image, they also contain precise details regarding the size of the exit and even a preview image (in TIF, WMF or Pict format).

Contrary to Postscript (which may contain any number of pages), however, an EPS file always includes only one page and must not contain any PPD program. In addition, according to the instructions, a post-script file can select a certain paper tree, while an EPS is unfortunately not able to do it.

The EPS format is now considered obsolete because it cannot distinguish between the carrier and bitmap. For this reason, it has already been widely replaced by PDF.

3. How can I open a file in EPS format?

EPS files can only be opened with the help of special programs. In addition to the commercial software such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Pixelmator or Quarkxpress, you can also use free tools. These include, for example, OpenOffice, Gimp, Irfanview or Scus. Other free alternatives are the EPS or Xnview spectator.

The following video shows how you can insert the EPS files in PowerPoint:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stzptldcdse

If you don’t want to install a program, there is also the possibility of opening the EPS online file. In the pages such as OnlineConconvert.com or Epsconverter.com you just have to insert the file in the field marked or upload the corresponding button. The service will then take the opening for you. In addition, you can also convert the EPS file into a different format for most provider, if necessary.

Good to know: If you open an EPS file with a text editor, you can recognize the same commands as a normal post-script file, but only one page is always described.

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