Saving artwork in EPS format


    Virtually all page layout, word-processing, and graphic applications accept imported or placed encapsulated PostScript (EPS) files. The EPS format preserves many of the graphic elements you can create with Adobe Illustrator, which means that EPS files can be reopened and edited as Illustrator files. Because EPS files are based on the PostScript language, they can contain both vector and bitmap graphics.

    There are two methods for saving artwork in EPS format. To create a file that is compatible with Illustrator CS, use the Save command. To create a file that is compatible with previous versions of Illustrator, use the Export command. Keep in mind that earlier versions of the Illustrator EPS file format (called legacy Illustrator EPS formats) may not support certain features, such as gradients, layers, and transparency.

    Tip iconIf your artwork contains transparency (including overprints) and you require high-resolution output, it's a good idea to preview the effects of flattening before saving the file. (See About flattening transparent artwork and Using the Flattener Preview palette.)

To save artwork in EPS format:

  1. Choose a Save command. (See About saving artwork.)
  2. Type a filename, and choose a location for the file.
  3. Choose Illustrator EPS (*.EPS) as the file format, and click Save.
  4. In the EPS Options dialog box, set the desired options and click OK:
  5. Format

    Determine the characteristics of the preview image that is saved in the file. The preview image is displayed in applications that cannot display EPS artwork directly. If you don't want to create a preview image, choose None from the Format menu. Otherwise, select a black-and-white or color format.

    If you select TIFF (8-bit Color) format, select a background option for the preview image: Transparent to produce a transparent background or Opaque to produce a solid background. (Select Opaque if the EPS document will be used in a Microsoft Office application.)

    Overprints

    Specifies how to save overlapping colors that are set to overprint. You can choose to preserve or discard the overprinting.

    Preset

    Specifies a preset (or set of options) for flattening transparency. Alternately, click Custom to customize the flattener settings. (See Controlling flattening using transparency flattener presets.)

    Embed Fonts (for other applications)

    Embeds all fonts that contain appropriate permissions from the font vendor. Embedding fonts ensures that the original font is displayed and printed if the file is placed into another application, such as Adobe InDesign. However, if the file is opened in Illustrator on a computer that does not have the font installed, the font will be fauxed or substituted. This is to prevent illegal use of the embedded font.

    Note: Selecting the Embed Fonts option increases the size of the saved file.

    Include Linked Files

    Embeds files that are linked to the artwork.

    Include Document Thumbnails

    Creates a thumbnail image of the artwork. The thumbnail is displayed in the Illustrator Open and Place dialog boxes.

    Include CMYK PostScript in RGB Files

    Allows RGB color documents to be printed from applications that do not support RGB output. When the EPS file is reopened in Illustrator, the RGB colors are preserved.

    Compatible Gradient and Gradient Mesh Printing

    Enables older printers and PostScript devices to print gradients and gradient meshes by converting gradient objects to JPEG format. Selecting this option can slow printing on printers that don't have problems with gradients.The resolution for the converted gradients and gradient meshes is set by the Gradient and Mesh Resolution option when you create a transparency flattener preset.

    Adobe PostScript®

    Determines what level of PostScript is used to save the artwork. PostScript LanguageLevel 2 represents color as well as grayscale vector and bitmap images, and supports RGB, CMYK, and CIE-based color models for both vector and bitmap graphics. PostScript LanguageLevel 3 provides additional functionality to LanguageLevel 2, including the ability to print mesh objects when printing to a PostScript® 3 printer. Since printing to PostScript LanguageLevel 2 devices converts gradient mesh objects to bitmap images, it is preferable to print artwork that contains gradient mesh objects to a PostScript 3 printer.

To export artwork to a legacy Illustrator EPS format:

  1. Choose File > Export.
  2. Type a filename, and choose a location for the file.
  3. Choose Legacy Illustrator EPS (*.EPS) as the file format, and click Export.
  4. In the Legacy EPS Options dialog box, select the version of Illustrator with which you want your file to be compatible.
  5. Set additional options, and click OK:
  6. Format

    Determine the characteristics of the preview image that is saved in the file. The preview image is displayed in applications that cannot display EPS artwork directly. If you don't want to create a preview image, choose None from the Format menu. Otherwise, select a black-and-white or color format.

    If you select TIFF (8-bit Color), select a background option for the preview image: Transparent to produce a transparent background or Opaque to produce a solid background. (Select Opaque if the EPS document will be used in a Microsoft Office application.)

    Preserve Paths

    Discards transparency and resets transparent artwork to 100% opacity (option available for Version 8.0 and Version 3.0/3.2 only).

    Preserve Appearance and Overprints

    Preserves overprints that don't interact with transparent objects. Overprints that interact with transparent objects are flattened. If your artwork contains complex, overlapping areas and you require high-resolution output, click Cancel and specify rasterization settings before continuing. (See Using the Flattener Preview palette.)

    Embed Fonts (for other applications)

    Embeds all fonts that contain appropriate permissions from the font vendor. Embedding fonts ensures that the original font is displayed and printed if the file is placed into another application, such as Adobe InDesign. However, if the file is opened in Illustrator on a computer that does not have the font installed, the font will be fauxed or substituted.

    Note: Selecting the Embed Fonts option increases the size of the saved file.

    Include Linked Files

    Embeds files that are linked to the artwork.

    Include Document Thumbnails

    Creates a thumbnail image of the artwork. The thumbnail is displayed in the Illustrator Open and Place dialog boxes.

    Include CMYK PostScript in RGB Files

    Allows RGB color documents to be printed from applications that do not support RGB output. When the EPS file is reopened in Illustrator, the RGB colors are preserved.

    Adobe PostScript®

    Determines what level of Postscript is used to save the artwork. The first version of the PostScript file format, PostScript LanguageLevel 2, represents color as well as grayscale vector and bitmap images, and supports RGB, CYMK, and CIE-based color models for both vector and bitmap graphics. PostScript LanguageLevel 3 provides additional functionality to LanguageLevel 2, including the ability to print mesh objects when printing to a PostScript® 3 printer. Since printing to PostScript LanguageLevel 2 devices converts gradient mesh objects to bitmap images, it is preferable to print artwork that contains gradient mesh objects to a PostScript 3 printer.