Classic PICT - Export

The Classic Macintosh Picture (PICT) is a format used extensively with Mac OS versions prior to OS X, sometimes referred to as the "Classic" environment. This format contains vector, text, font, and bit map information. It is capable of up to 24 bit color. The EazyDraw export uses 256 colors to provide the best compatibility with other applications.

This is a format that has been in use for several years. It is a format that is understood by some Windows applications.

This is an older format and should only be used when necessary to communicate with older applications. The format has several short comings, it doesn't support transparency and all vector information is accurate only to integer points (1/72 inches).

When transferring information either via Export or Copy - Paste to older application this format may offer distinct advantages. Foremost it is a vector format, this means smaller file size and the ability of the receiving application to render the graphics with high quality that is scalable - holds up under zoom.

The format is selected from the popup menu. The EazyDraw export does not provide control over Dots Per Inch, 72 dots per inch is used in all cases.

Use the right most popup menu to chose a background option. You may choose no background, white, black or color. The grid is not exported with this format.

Use the save button to execute the save action after all parameter selections are made.

Check the Include Pict Header checkbox to prepend a 512 byte header of zeros to the beginning of the exported file. If not checked the PICT data is written directly to the file, without a header.

Some applications require a 512 byte header to start the file data. This header is used by some applications to provide application specific information that is not absolutely required to interpret the PICT data. Several of these applications will not read the file correctly unless this header is provided, others may require no header to interpret the content. Most applications do require the header, however the content of the header is only loosely defined and varies with applications and vintage. Providing all zeros for the header will result in the most compatible file format.

This is the best format for transfer of graphics to MSWord and PowerPoint.

The EazyDraw implementation of translation to the Classic Pict format uses 256 colors to represent all colors for a particular export action. The colors included are generated automatically to best represent the richer (native OS X) color representation in a fashion that will be optimally rendered by the receiving application. If a group of graphics contains too many colors and does not present acceptable colors in the receiving application, it may help to divide the group in half and send them in two steps.

Since EazyDraw provides full rich import of MacDraw graphics, Patterns are fully supported with EazyDraw. Patterns are exported in a full rich fashion with the Classic PICT format. In some cases you may want to use patterns to represent advanced color effects in the receiving application, as these were commonly used in the older classic environment.