How to save EPS files in Illustrator.CS on MAC for IBM windows

[john_trinh@adobeforums.com]

like Illustrator. 8? Thanks.

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

Like Illustrator 8, save with a TIFF preview. One new wrinkle: You can choose Transparent or Opaque. Use the Opaque preveiw for Microsoft Office.

[john_trinh@adobeforums.com]

Thanks I am going to try that.
However in Illustrator8.0, I don't have to save as TIFF at all. I just save as and it shows a list of formats such as Mac, 1 bit, 8 bit and IBM 1bit and 8 bit. I want to save in EPS files so that IBM people can open it with Illustrator in EPS format.

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

The preview in Windows ("IBM") is a TIFF file so "IBM 8 bit" = TIFF.

[Dee Holmes]

And the IBM 1bit and 8bit preview will not interfear with your saving as an .eps file.

[john_trinh@adobeforums.com]

You guys are terrrrrrrific. I am sending one sample as a test to my IBM people to see how it works. I will let you guys know.

Thanks a bunch

[john_trinh@adobeforums.com]

I am still waiting for the response from IBM people but I think TIFF will save as pixels while they need EPS files to work with as paths. Also I can always open EPS files in Photoshop to save them as TIFF.

[Dee Holmes]

I think you're getting alittle confused, John.

You are saving as an .eps formatted file, but the preview you pick for it will be a 8bit tiff.

Also, you are saving it with the .eps extension on it right?

[john_trinh@adobeforums.com]

here's how I save:

File,save as, Illustrator EPS,OK, preview- format: TIFF 8 bit color, OK.

I see a feature in EXPORT to save EPS files as TIFF and the options for formats say clearly IBM or MAC, but I think they will be open like TIFF file in Photoshop.

Which way is the correct way?

[jonf@adobeforums.com]

If you want the vector paths to remain editable save as eps with 8-bit tiff preview.

More info than you need: this is an eps file. The tif part is just the preview, or the thing that shows up in the window when you see it on your monitor. The information that gets sent to the printer or imagesetter is hidden in the eps part of the file (which is more efficient for vector-created images). A lot of programs are unable to perform the computations necessary to display vector info, so they need a preview to make it possible to see it on screen. IBM uses tiff format for that. Mac uses pict by default, but can also use tiff.

If you export as tiff you convert the entire file to nothing but tiff data, and lose your vector path info. Lines won't be quite as clean, and you limit your ability to resize the document. A vector path can be enlarged upward pretty much indefinitely with no loss of clarity, but a tiff is limited by the ppi you select.

[john_trinh@adobeforums.com]

thanks, Jonf.

So, this way is correct?

"File,save as, Illustrator EPS,OK, preview- format: TIFF 8 bit color, OK."

[Dee Holmes]

Yes, it should be fine. I have a Mac at work and a PC at home. I'm always e-mailing myself stuff back and forth.

It works fine for me. You just have to know what version AI the recipient is capable of.

[john_trinh@adobeforums.com]

Thank you, DeeHolmes.

Does Ill. CS have options for me to save as Ill. 10. 9, 8, and so forth?

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

In Illustrator CS, choose File > Export > Legacy Illustrator or Legacy Illustrator EPS, then select Illustrator 10, 9, 8, or 3.