CS: EPS file does not preview in MS Word

[Roger_Dejus@adobeforums.com]

The Illustrator CS fails to generate encapsulated postscript (EPS) code that will preview in Microsoft Word (MS word office XP = Word 2002, and MS Word 2003). Tried different options, including legacy EPS for v9.x. Still no preview!!

Note: The EPS preview works fine both versions of Word when generated with Illustrator v9.x. (I had to revert to the old version because my work is absolutely dependent on this.)

Please confirm my observations (if you have time), and inform Adobe about this "bug" to put pressure on them to fix this. I called technical support ... seems like a problem with Microsoft was the response. I was not succesful to convince them that i) it used to work, ii) this is step backwards to not support preview.

Any workaround is appreciated. (I've tried the PNG format, it provides very poor quality figures and is not acceptable).

P.S. The printed MS word document prints correctly (on postscript printers) but it's essential that the preview shows on the screen too.

Regards, Roger.

[Lothman@adobeforums.com]

Roger,
I have exactly the same problems as you described.

- imported *.eps files print well but there is no preview in Word (XP, Word 2002, SP2 and Illustrator CS)

- *.png files "save for Office" shows absolutely POOR quality and screwing the png up to 300dpi (via export) blows them up and slows down the PC. I can't see any improvement in the png-format except for screen presentation :-(. I upgrade because of this feature, seems that was a bad idea!

- on our XP-PC's I made the horrible observation that Illustrator graphics embedded as enhanced meta file - what allways worked well - fail, ALSO for graphics which already have been embedded.

So is there any vector based format what can be used with MS Word?
Do I have to export all my pics to 600dpi tif in order to get proper prints?
Do I live in year 2004?

Best Regards
Lothman, Germany

[Hans_Fjällemark@adobeforums.com]

Any progress? I have the same problem. Is there any way you can export the eps in Illustrator 9.0 format?

I badly need this to work in Word because png is either to large filesize or to bad quality when printing.

/ Hans

[Roger_Dejus@adobeforums.com]

To both Hans and Lotham, what I've ended up doing for the time being is having BOTH Illustrator 9 and Illustrator CS installed. I use v.9 for all EPS plots that will go into MS word since it previews fine. I use v. CS for bitmaps that I tend to use for MS powerpoint.

I'd rather have one program obviously (CS) but at the moment there is no other solution for me. I already owned v.9. Don't know what to do unless you have access to v.9 EXCEPT telling ADOBE.

I've spent about 1 1/2 hours on the phone with their support (2 phone calls) and although, after the second call, I believe they acknowlegde there is a problem, it's not their problem (it's Microsoft's ...). Can you believe this! Yes, I can ... but I tried to tell them, Microsoft is a big player, you even have an entry under the File menu to export save files for MS format. Nevertheless, what used to work in v.9 no longer works. Please get this to work, I asked them. Moreover, a company as big as ADOBE claimed they didn't have MS word to test!!?? The first support tech. had not access to MS word at all. The second had MS word, but only an old version 2000 (not 2002 or 2003)! I put a file on their support ftp site that clearly illustrates the problem. The support told me, that even if he could verify the problem, there was nothing they could do. It's mindboggling to say the least.

This was about 1 week ago. Haven't heard anything since then. I will have to call them again.

P.S. Please call their support and tell them about the problem too. You should not have to be charged since it's an ADOBE problem. Not Microsoft.

Thanks for your help,
Roger.

[John Mensinger]

Gentlemen, I understand your frustration, especially when Adobe seems to show no interest in helping you with your problematic workflow scenario.

That said, however, while Microsoft is a 'big player' on the typical business desktop, in the typical professional Postscript-oriented workflow, (where Adobe is the big player), Microsoft is nobody.

Honestly, I'm surprised that you all note such big problems with the PNG format. I use it all the time when I need good on-screen and printed graphics in MS Office apps, and get excellent results, (with just 132-192ppi).

I'd hate to suggest that you simnply throw more money at your problem, but if you can get your hands on an older version of CorelDraw, (versions 7-10 can be found on eBay for $20-$60US), its EPS and WMF export functions both work perfectly for Office-targeted vector graphics, (and in versions 9 & 10 PNG export works well too).

[Bob_W.@adobeforums.com]

If you have a habit of opening .eps files in Illustrator you'll love what happens to some of the CorelDraw .eps images. Reminded me of the old game of pick-up sticks. Completely useless to an illustrator work flow.

[Markus_Walker@adobeforums.com]

I faced the same problems and found exporting to Il8-EPS as a work-around.

HTH