Opening EPS files?

[Drew PCR webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

Several of the design companies I work with use Illustrator. I don't have Illustrator, but I do have FreeHand, which claims to be able to handle Illustrator EPS files. When I try to open them, I get a blank document with a black "X" in a rectagle. Anything I can do to use these files, or do I have to tell the designers that I can't accept EPS format files?

Thanks,
Drew

[Tim Hines]

FreeHand can indeed "handle" Illustrator EPS files, if "handling" means
to place them. If you were to print that page to a Postscript output
device it would image correctly (theoretically).

If by "handle" you mean unpackage and make editable, then no, FreeHand
cannot do that. EPS is not really a file format for transporting and
editing. Even though Illustrator can do this, it is because Adobe owns
the Postscript language.

If you won't or can't get Illustrator, your best bet is to have them
save their illustrations as version 7. Freehand will open version 7
Illustrator files, however, be warned that the transition is not 100%
smooth. There are many factors that can alter the outcome.

Fireworks may also be able to "open" it, but I think it would rasterize
the file (corrections welcome).

Another possibility is to have them (or you) run the EPS through
Distiller and open the PDF in FreeHand. that may give you some edibility.

Good Luck,
Tim Hines
remove x to e-mail

"Drew PCR" [email]webforumsuser@macromedia.com[/email] wrote:

> Several of the design companies I work with use Illustrator. I don't have Illustrator, but I do have FreeHand, which claims to be able to handle Illustrator EPS files. When I try to open them, I get a blank document with a black "X" in a rectagle. Anything I can do to use these files, or do I have to tell the designers that I can't accept EPS format files?
>
> Thanks,
> Drew
>
>