I have always been told that Non-compressed, non layered, 300dpi CMYK TIFF images, were the optimal format for linking in InDesign. I am working with an agency that uses only EPS files for all their artwork, Vector or Bitmap.
I understand the benefit of EPS format with Vector Graphics, over .ai format but I was wondering if anyone knew a possible benefit of formatting bitmap images to EPS.
Thank you very much.
EPS Images -VS- TIFF/JPEG
None, at least in Indesign. I've used EPS bitmaps in older programs,
notably Framemaker, which slows way down displaying TIFFs, but display
EPS files quickly because of the low-res preview. Indesign displays a
low-res preview (or a high-res preview, if that's what you want) for
bitmaps, so this is not an issue. Likewise, Indesign can render a
high-res preview for an EPS file, even if the EPS contains no preview.
For that matter, though, there's no particular advantage of using TIFF
in Indesign, unless TIFF is what you already have.
--
Kenneth Benson
Pegasus Type, Inc.
www.pegtype.com
EPS Images -VS- TIFF/JPEG
%26gt;understand the benefit of EPS format with Vector Graphics, over .ai format...
I don't.
Some prepress or content management systems still only work reliably with EPS files, which is the only reason I can accept for using them, but only for those stuck on such systems.
%26gt; I understand the benefit of EPS format with Vector Graphics, over .ai
Totally false, in fact AI is superior. EPS is an archaic file format
with no support for transparency.
The best formats for placing in ID are PSD, PDF, and AI. TIF is fine but
I avoid EPS like the plague. There is simply no advantage to using it at
all.
When I receive Photoshop EPS images, I resave them as TIF or PSD. The
files are smaller and the on the on screen previews superior.
Bob
I am aware that EPS files flatten transparency by nature, but unfortunately I still have some printers who do not allow for live transparency....Some printers I still use require a flattened PDF file. So if you have an .AI or .PSD file with a lot of transparency,(i.e. drop shadows, gradients, blend modes, blend shapes, opacity masks) linked into an Indesign file, you wont see any flaw until you export it. At least with an eps file, what you see is what you get.(note. I am referring to AI or PSD files with A LOT of transparencies combined) I know white lines don't print, but some complex objects when flattened don't even show up on the PDF or they are all blocked out with solid colors. Not something many inexperienced marketing managers feel comfortable with.
And printers using 1995 era workflows are not something I feel
comfortable with.
Bob
%26gt;unfortunately I still have some printers who do not allow for live transparency...
If you are providing InDesign files to the printer, they can apply flattening when they print or make PDFs. If you are providing PDFs to the printer you can apply flattening when making the PDFs. No need for EPS files.
We've experienced various issues with eps-files containing bitmap-images(usually Photoshop eps-files).
One issue is related to exporting pdf-files. This procedure crashes more often when using eps-files(bitmap) than when using tiff/psd.
Another issue is related to Adobe Bridge. Generating previews of bitmap-based eps-files are usually 4-5 slower than when using tiff/psd.
So we've instructed our users - again - not to use bitmap-based eps-files.
Basicly we've not yet seen any advantage in using bitmap-based eps-files - other than filesize.
Placing any EPS file into a document requires InDesign to load a full PostScript interpreter to deal with the file's content. PostScript is a programming language with conditional operations and support for the full PostScript imaging model. As such, InDesign can make no assumptions whatsoever about the contents of EPS being raster image, vector, text, or any combinations of same. For that matter, EPS can contain infinite loops and random number generators! :-)
- Dov
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