Vector graphics extensions. Vector Graphics File Formats

The main difference between a vector and a raster is the principle of storing an image.

Vector graphics are saved using mathematical formulas. This gives the vector several undeniable advantages:

• scaling, resizing of a vector image does not affect its quality, i.e. all lines remain clear and no "squares" appear, as in bitmaps;
• when resizing a vector image, the size of the file itself remains constant.

You can draw vector graphics in different editors:

• Adobe illustrator
• CorelDRAW
• PhotoShop
• Macromedia Freehand

One of the main vector graphics editors is - it's not difficult to master, there are many good books and tutorials.

There are different formats for vector graphics, most are used in specialized programs.

Vector Graphics Formats

• Ai(Adobe Illustrator) is a vector file format for Adobe Illustrator.
• EPS(En-capsulated PostScript)
• CDR(CorelDraw) - vector file format of the CorelDraw program.
• CMX(Corel Presentation Exchange)
• EMF(Enhanced Metafile, Windows Enhanced Metafile)
• Wmf(Windows Metafile)
• SVG(Scalable Vector Graphics)

EPS

I single out the EPS format as a separate point - it is well known to those who sell their vector graphics on microstocks.

EPS (En-capsulated PostScript) can store both raster and vector graphics. EPS is one of the most versatile vector graphics formats and is supported by most of the popular vector graphics editors. And that is precisely why I accept the EPS 10 and EPS 8 formats as the main format for vector graphics.

But sometimes EPS files written in different programs may open differently, or not open at all. This happens for various reasons:

1. Today there are 3 versions of the PostScript language used in EPS.
2. The file usually contains 2 images: main and additional (preview). This preview is used for more than just a preview. Layout programs such as QuarkXPress, Adobe PageMaker…. store previews in their documents and are used for displaying on the monitor screen in standard quality mode, as well as for printing on printers without PostScript support; vector graphics programs such as CorelDraw and FreeHand work exclusively with preview when importing an EPS file. The main copy will be used for output to a PostScript printer and for viewing the image on the monitor screen in maximum quality mode. Additional preview image can be created in TIFF or WMF format (for PC only) or omitted altogether.

When choosing a TIFF format, the preview will be stored as a raster image, and here you need to find the optimal balance between its resolution (i.e. quality) and file size. If the EPS file contains a preview in TIFF format, then FreeHand and CorelDraw will no longer be able to edit it, it will only be possible to edit using Adobe Illustrator.

Preview in WMF format is a vector image, it practically does not differ from the main one. EPS file containing preview in WMF format can be edited in CorelDraw. But such files will have less compatibility.

In any case, you can edit the EPS file in the following way: import the image of any of the above programs and send it to print as a PostScript file. This file can later be opened in CorelDraw. If the file is converted to PDF using Acrobat Distiller, it can be opened in Free-Hand.

CMX

Vector format for graphics programs from Corel. Its main purpose is to transfer pictures between different programs (supported since CorelDraw 6).

EMF and WMF

Fairly simple vector graphics formats to store basic information.

EMF

Wmf

Older than EMF format. It is widely used in the MS Office suite.

SVG

Based on XML markup, used for 2D vector graphics, both animated and still.

Do you have any questions or have anything to add on the topic of the article?

Graphics file formats

• by Igor Skrynnikov
• 01/10/2008
• 3 comments

File formats are the foundation for working with digital photos. FotoTips.ru will tell you about all the major graphic file formats.

A file format containing raw information coming directly from the camera's image sensor. These files are not processed by the camera's processor (unlike JPG) and contain the original shooting information. RAW can be compressed without loss of quality.

The advantages of RAW are obvious - unlike JPG, which was processed in camera and already saved with data compression - RAW provides the broadest possibilities for photo processing and retains the highest quality.

The note. Different camera manufacturers use different algorithms to create RAW in their cameras. Each manufacturer comes up with their own resolution for their RAW file - NEF - Nikon, CR2 - Canon ...

JPEG (aka JPG).

This is the most common graphics file format.

JPG has earned its popularity for its flexible data compression capabilities. If necessary, the image can be saved with maximum quality. Or compress it to the minimum file size for transmission over the network.

JPG uses a lossy compression algorithm. What does it give us? A clear disadvantage of such a system is the loss of image quality every time a file is saved. On the other hand, compressing the image 10 times simplifies data transfer.

In practice, saving a photograph with a minimum compression ratio does not result in any visible degradation in image quality. That is why JPG is the most widespread and popular format for storing graphic files.

The TIFF format is very popular for storing images. It allows you to save photos in different color spaces (RBG, CMYK, YCbCr, CIE Lab, etc.) and with a large color depth (8, 16, 32 and 64 bit). TIFF is widely supported by graphics applications and is used in the printing industry.

Unlike JPG, a TIFF image will not lose quality after each file save. But, unfortunately, it is because of this that TIFF files weigh many times more than JPG.

The TIFF format is currently owned by Adobe. Photoshop can save TIFF without merging layers.

The PSD format is used in Photoshop. PSD allows you to save a raster image with many layers, any color depth and in any color space.

Most often, the format is used to save intermediate or final results of complex processing with the ability to change individual elements.

PSD also supports lossless compression. But the abundance of information that a PSD file can contain greatly increases its weight.

BMP format is one of the first graphic formats. It is recognized by any program that works with graphics; format support is integrated into Windows and OS / 2 operating systems.

BMP stores data with a color depth of up to 48 bits and a maximum size of 65535 × 65535 pixels.
At the moment, the BMP format is practically not used either on the Internet (JPG weighs several times less), or in printing (TIFF copes with this task better).

The GIF format was created at the dawn of the internet for the exchange of images. It can store losslessly compressed images in up to 256 colors. GIF format is ideal for drawings and graphics, and also supports transparency and animation.
GIF also supports lossless compression.

The PNG format was created to both improve and replace the GIF format with a graphics format that does not require a license to use. Unlike GIF, PNG has alpha channel support and the ability to store an unlimited number of colors.

PNG compresses data losslessly, which makes it very convenient for storing intermediate versions of image processing.

JPEG 2000 (or jp2).

New graphics format created to replace JPEG. For the same quality, JPEG 2000 file size is 30% smaller than JPG.

When compressed strongly, JPEG 2000 does not split the image into the squares typical of the JPEG format.

Unfortunately, at the moment this format is not widely used and is only supported by Safari and Mozilla / Firerox browsers (via Quicktime).

Vector Graphics File Formats

ai
Vector file format created by Adobe Illustrator. Adobe Illustrator has a large number of versions - Adobe Illustrator 3, Adobe Illustrator 4, Adobe Illustrator 5, etc. The ai format of each new version is incompatible with older versions, which means, for example, a file saved in version Adobe Illustrator 9 can be opened in a newer version of the program (Adobe Illustrator 10, CS, CS2, etc.), but cannot be opened in an older version of the program (Adobe Illustrator 8, 7, 6, etc.), although since version of Adobe Illustrator 10 it is possible to import files of newer versions. The format provides a very high quality of drawings, but in a number of parameters it is poorly compatible with other programs (for example, various Adobe Illustrator effects and gradient fill may not be transferred to other formats).

cdr
Vector file format created by CorelDraw. CorelDraw has a large number of versions - CorelDraw 3, CorelDraw 4, CorelDraw 5, etc. The cdr format of each new version is incompatible with older versions, which means, for example, a file saved in a CorelDraw 9 version can be opened in a newer version of the program (CorelDraw 10, 11, 12, etc.), but cannot be opened in an older version of the program (CorelDraw 8, 7, 6, etc.). The format provides a very high quality of drawings, but is poorly compatible with other programs in a number of parameters (for example, various CorelDraw effects and gradient fill may not be transferred to other formats).

cmx
Corel Presentation Exchange is a graphics program format from Corel Corporation for transferring pictures between different programs. The format is supported since CorelDraw 6.

eps
A relatively universal vector file format supported by most vector editors - CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia FreeHand and various highly specialized programs (for plotter cutting, engraving, wood burning, etc.). The format has many versions and, unfortunately, every program supports it only up to a certain version (for example, CorelDraw only supports versions up to EPS 7). The format provides very high quality pictures.

fla, fh
Flash source files are created in Adobe Flash (formerly Macromedia Flash).

svg
Abbreviation for English. Scalable Vector Graphics. It is an open standard, i.e. unlike most other formats, SVG is not owned by anyone. It is an XML-based markup language for describing 2D vector graphics. The format is supported by many web browsers and can be used to decorate web pages. Unfortunately, the format does not provide high quality for complex drawings and is limited in its scope.

The main difference between a vector and a raster is the principle of storing an image.

Vector graphics are saved using mathematical formulas. This gives the vector several undeniable advantages:

• scaling, resizing of a vector image does not affect its quality, i.e. all lines remain clear and no "squares" appear, as in bitmaps;
• when resizing a vector image, the size of the file itself remains constant.

You can draw vector graphics in different editors:

• Adobe illustrator
• CorelDRAW
• PhotoShop
• Macromedia Freehand

One of the main vector graphics editors is - it's not difficult to master, there are many good books and tutorials.

There are different formats for vector graphics, most are used in specialized programs.

Vector Graphics Formats

• Ai(Adobe Illustrator) is a vector file format for Adobe Illustrator.
• EPS(En-capsulated PostScript)
• CDR(CorelDraw) - vector file format of the CorelDraw program.
• CMX(Corel Presentation Exchange)
• EMF(Enhanced Metafile, Windows Enhanced Metafile)
• Wmf(Windows Metafile)
• SVG(Scalable Vector Graphics)

EPS

I single out the EPS format as a separate point - it is well known to those who sell their vector graphics on microstocks.

EPS (En-capsulated PostScript) can store both raster and vector graphics. EPS is one of the most versatile vector graphics formats and is supported by most of the popular vector graphics editors. And that is precisely why I accept the EPS 10 and EPS 8 formats as the main format for vector graphics.

But sometimes EPS files written in different programs may open differently, or not open at all. This happens for various reasons:

1. Today there are 3 versions of the PostScript language used in EPS.
2. The file usually contains 2 images: main and additional (preview). This preview is used for more than just a preview. Layout programs such as QuarkXPress, Adobe PageMaker…. store previews in their documents and are used for displaying on the monitor screen in standard quality mode, as well as for printing on printers without PostScript support; vector graphics programs such as CorelDraw and FreeHand work exclusively with preview when importing an EPS file. The main copy will be used for output to a PostScript printer and for viewing the image on the monitor screen in maximum quality mode. Additional preview image can be created in TIFF or WMF format (for PC only) or omitted altogether.

When choosing a TIFF format, the preview will be stored as a raster image, and here you need to find the optimal balance between its resolution (i.e. quality) and file size. If the EPS file contains a preview in TIFF format, then FreeHand and CorelDraw will no longer be able to edit it, it will only be possible to edit using Adobe Illustrator.

Preview in WMF format is a vector image, it practically does not differ from the main one. EPS file containing preview in WMF format can be edited in CorelDraw. But such files will have less compatibility.

In any case, you can edit the EPS file in the following way: import the image of any of the above programs and send it to print as a PostScript file. This file can later be opened in CorelDraw. If the file is converted to PDF using Acrobat Distiller, it can be opened in Free-Hand.

CMX

Vector format for graphics programs from Corel. Its main purpose is to transfer pictures between different programs (supported since CorelDraw 6).

EMF and WMF

Fairly simple vector graphics formats to store basic information.

EMF

Wmf

Older than EMF format. It is widely used in the MS Office suite.

SVG

Based on XML markup, used for 2D vector graphics, both animated and still.

Do you have any questions or have anything to add on the topic of the article?

In order to conduct a discussion about graphics programs, you first need to understand the concepts and differences between the two main types of 2D graphics: raster and vector images. This is a very important lesson, especially if you intend to work with graphics.

Bitmap concept

Bitmaps are images, which are made up of tiny rectangular dots of individual color - pixels that are combined together. Each pixel has its own specific location in the picture and its own individual color value.

Each image has a fixed number of pixels. You can see them on the monitor screen, most of which display about 70 to 100 pixels per inch (the actual number depends on your monitor and the setting of the screen itself).

To illustrate this, let's take a look at a typical desktop icon - My Computer, which is typically 32 pixels wide by 32 pixels high. In other words, there are 32 dots of color in each direction that combine to form such an icon.

When you enlarge this picture, as in the example, you can clearly see each individual square of a specific color. Note that the white areas in the background are also separate pixels, although they represent a single solid color.

Image size and resolution

Bitmaps are resolution dependent. Image resolution is the number of pixels in an image per unit of length. It is a measure of the sharpness of the detail in a bitmap and is usually referred to as dpi (dots per inch) or ppi (pixels per inch). These terms are in some sense synonymous, only ppi refers to images, and dpi refers to output devices. That is why you can find dpi in the description of monitors, digital cameras, etc.

The higher the resolution, the smaller the pixel size and the more of them per 1 inch, and, accordingly, the better the picture quality.

The resolution is selected for each image individually and depends on where you plan to use it:

• if you plan to use it for posting on the Internet, then the resolution is chosen at 72 ppi, since the main criterion for the Internet is the download speed of images, and not their amazing quality, which is why the appropriate file formats are chosen, where quality is far from the first place.
• if you want to print an image, the resolution must be much more than 72 ppi. So, in order to print an image in good quality, its resolution should be in the range of 150-300 ppi. This is a basic requirement for photo printers that print magazines, catalogs and small-format products (booklets, flyers, leaflets).

As mentioned above, bitmaps are highly resolution dependent. That is why when scaling, due to their pixel nature, such images always lose quality. However, if you nevertheless decide to increase the image size, then it is best to use the interpolation method, with which you can achieve very good results. We will talk about this method in the next lesson.

Bitmap image size is the physical size of the file that stores the image. It is proportional to the size of the image in pixels.

Photoshop shows the relationship between image size and resolution. This can be viewed by opening the Image Size dialog box found in the Image menu. When making changes to one of these values, all the others will automatically be brought in accordance with the changed one.

Summing up, we can say that the main characteristics of raster images are:

• image size in pixels
• bit depth
• color space
• image resolution

An example of a raster image is any photograph or picture created by scanning, photographing, or drawing in a raster editor, or created by converting a vector image to a raster image.

Bitmap formats

The most common bitmap formats are:

• JPEG, JPG

Converting between raster image formats is very easy, using the "Save As ..." command, in the menu of which, after the file name, you select the format in which you want to save the image.

Several formats, namely GIF and PNG, support background transparency. At the same time, do not forget that the transparent background will not be so if you resave a GIF or PNG image to any other format or copy and paste it into another image.

Raster graphics programs

The most popular programs for working with raster graphics:

• Adobe photoshop
• Adobe fireworks
• Corel Photo-Paint
• Corel Paint Shop Pro
• Corel painter
• Paint

As for me, the Adobe Photoshop editor is the best of the programs.

Compared to this type of graphics, vector graphics also have many advantages. Let's take a look at them.

What are vector images

Vector images are consisting of many separate, scalable objects (lines and curves) that are defined using mathematical equations.

Objects can be composed of lines, curves, and shapes. At the same time, changing the attributes of a vector object does not affect the object itself, i.e. You can freely change any number of object attributes without destroying the main object.

In vector graphics, image quality is independent of resolution. This is all due to the fact that vector objects are described by mathematical equations, therefore, when scaling, they are recalculated and, accordingly, do not lose quality. Based on this, you can increase or decrease the size to any extent, and your image will remain the same clear and sharp, it will be visible both on the monitor screen and when printing. Therefore, vectors are the best choice for multi-media illustrations that need to be resized frequently, such as logos.

Another advantage of images is that they are not limited to rectangular shapes like bitmaps. Such objects can be placed on other objects (placement in the foreground or background is chosen by you personally).

For clarity, I have provided a drawing on which a circle is drawn in vector and a circle in raster format. Both are placed on white backgrounds. But, when you place the raster circle on top of another similar circle, you will see that this circle has a rectangular frame, which, as you can see in the picture, is not present in the vector.

Today, vector images are becoming more and more photorealistic, this is due to the constant development and implementation of various tools into programs, for example, such as a gradient mesh.

Vector images are usually created using special programs. You cannot scan an image and save it as a vector file without using tracing transformations in Adobe Illustrator.

On the other hand, a vector image can be converted to a bitmap quite easily. This process is called rasterization. Also, when converting, you can specify any resolution of the future bitmap.

Vector formats

The most common vector formats are:

• AI (Adobe Illustrator);
• CDR (CorelDRAW);
• CMX (Corel Currency);
• SVG (scalable vector graphics);
• CGM Computer Graphics Metafile;
• DXF AutoCAD.

The most popular vector software : Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW and Inkscape.

So what is the difference between vector and bitmap images?

Summing up the article about raster and vector images, we can say with confidence that vector images have a lot of advantages over raster ones, namely.

First of all - EPS

EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) format is a vector image standard that must be placed in a page layout program. An EPS file is the PostScript code that will accurately describe the picture that will be used in printing. In addition, the EPS includes a low-resolution image for preview (preview, not to be confused with a thumbnail - a thumbnail on the file's icon). Preview makes it easier to identify images during layout, allows you to visually control its position, scale and rotation.

How do I get a vector file in EPS format?

Adobe Illustrator is the only vector editor for which the EPS format is almost native. Prior to the 8th version of Illustrator, EPS was its internal format (available in the Save as> Illustrator EPS menu), and the Illustrator format (* .ai) differed from it mainly in that it allowed to preserve some of the additional editing options available in Illustrator. Since version 9, internal EPS has been replaced by PDF, a format also created and successfully promoted by Adobe, although the Save as EPS option is still available. The PDF format introduced many new possibilities in the creation of pictures (effects based on the transparency of elements (normal transparency) and various methods of blending colors, similar to those used in Photoshop), but at the same time it made it difficult to write the EPS format, which does not support transparency. Thus, when recording EPS, transparent elements are converted into rasterized objects, and how exactly this happens is controlled by the settings in the Document Setup> Transparency dialog box. In the 10th version of Illustrator, another tool for controlling the processing of transparent objects has appeared - this is an optional (not connected by default) Flattening Preview plug-in. When installing the program, it is located in the Utilities folder (there is also a PDF file with its description), and to use it, you need to move or copy the Flattening Preview.aip file to the Plug-ins folder. This plug-in allows you to see in the preview window what objects and how will be processed when saving the EPS-version of the image. Although customizable, you should be careful when saving graphics containing transparencies in EPS format. If you have used quite a lot of all kinds of transparencies, perhaps the best solution would be to completely convert your drawing to a bitmap TIFF format. With the right approach, this transformation ensures that the quality of the drawing remains high.

In the FreeHand program, the image is saved in EPS format through the Export menu. Before this operation, it is necessary to decide whether after this any editing of the file is required or not. The fact is that FreeHand, when exporting to EPS, offers the Include FreeHand Document option. If the option is activated, the second version of the picture in the native format of the program is written to the EPS file - and then FreeHand will be able to open the file. If disabled, the EPS file will contain only PostScript code and FreeHand will only be able to open the preview version, which is not available for any changes. Keep in mind that prepress professionals strongly prefer to work with EPS files rather than EPS + FreeHand “hybrids”, as this avoids possible output errors and reduces file processing time. After the issue with the mentioned option is resolved, select the EPS option for the Mac or Windows platform (Macintosh EPS / EPS with TIFF Preview) - and you will get the file that will be placed in the layout.

CorelDraw! also allows you to export your drawing to EPS format. The export procedure itself is not difficult, but few people can predict how Korelov's EPS will look on color separation films and, therefore, on paper. Unlike Illustrator CorelDraw! does not regulate rasterization of “dangerous” transparent elements in any way. As a rule, the simpler the original drawing was, the more chances that everything will work out without problems. If there are still problems, then it is better when this is clarified at the stage of photo output. Depending on the nature of the error and the model of the phototypesetter, one RIP may issue an error report, the other will simply hang hopelessly, but the third will not issue any warnings and will display what it was able to rasterize - and then, if you do not want to get a defect in circulation, review the received tapes very carefully. Be aware that there is an opinion among prepress specialists: what has begun in Korela must be completed in Korela. This means that it is safer to write a print file (* .ps) directly from CorelDraw !, since apparently no other program knows better than it how to process the drawings it creates, and not only effects, but even ordinary text.

Next, we place it in the prototyping program. This is its direct purpose. But its use is not limited to this, although other options are a “side effect” of the versatility of this format. For example, the resulting EPS can also be placed in a vector graphics program. And even into a raster graphics program. Let's consider the options.

Putting EPS in layout

First, a couple of notes about EPS in a page layout program. All programs of this kind allow you to transform the placed images quite arbitrarily, which is sometimes used by inexperienced users. It is important to understand the following: in a layout program, transforming a placed EPS file is permissible only to a very limited extent, and you need to be aware of what exactly happens during this, and it is better to carry out all transformations with the original file in the program in which it was created.

The only absolutely “safe” action is to move the EPS around the page or in a mask (box in QuarkXPress or frame in PageMaker). The turn is not very desirable, but it is perfectly acceptable. It can entail additional efforts of the layout program to process the image and even redraw the screen, and also, in the case of an extremely complex vector original, it can cause a photo output error. The most unwanted transformation is scaling. The point is that scaling not only requires increased processor resources to recalculate changes, but also makes adjustments to such critical parameters as line thickness, gradient size, trapping values, pattern fill and others. For example, a vector original contains a drawing made with a line 0.1 pt thick, which, when reduced by 50% in the layout program, will turn into 0.05 pt and may simply not appear on the color separation film or on paper. Likewise, trapping with a vector package can either become too noticeable (at a scale of more than 100%) or insufficient (at a scale of less than 100%).

To summarize: move - you can arbitrarily, rotate at any angle - you can discreetly, scale - undesirable.

Vector EPS in Photoshop

In Photoshop, the Place command places the selected file into an open image as an object (preview in an envelope - a strikethrough rectangle), which can be transformed if necessary, and then double-click or press Enter to embed it on a new layer. EPS is immediately rasterized at the resolution of the file in which it is placed. This procedure can be useful when you need to place a vector drawing (for example, a logo) into a bitmap sketch, which you also use in other sketches and therefore want to keep the vector quality version.

However, the vector EPS can be simply opened in Photoshop. In the dialog box that appears, you will be asked to select the dimensions, resolution and color model of the image you want to receive. By default, the size of the original vector file is suggested, and the resolution is 72 dpi, or whatever you last used in this dialog box. The result can be dragged and dropped into another raster file, and if you know the resolution of this target file, select the same resolution for EPS rasterization to avoid the need to scale the resulting raster layer, since each such transformation will inevitably lead to more or less loss quality.

Using the Open command with subsequent rasterization, you can get a raster version of the vector original with the highest possible quality, and, given that Photoshop can perform rasterization much better than vector programs, this is how you should convert complex vector files (for example, files of the 9th or 10th Illustrator containing transparency effects) to bitmap format.

Is it necessary or not? .. But it is possible

That's right - it's possible to put vector EPS in a vector graphics editor document. Causes? Well, let's say ...

... for some reason you are separating (writing a PS file) directly from the vector editor. You have a vector EPS created in another program (not necessarily in a vector editor); You do not have such a program, and when you open it in an editor you have (that is, when converting to its own internal format of this editor), the file is interpreted with errors (unfortunately, not all vector programs equally accurately recognize an EPS file created by another program, but layout packages do this as correctly as possible, provided that the file was created correctly). The way of placing this EPS while keeping the link with the original may solve the problem. Perhaps the situation described is somewhat far-fetched, but who knows, maybe the situation that you will one day have to face will be even more unexpected.

What you need to be especially careful with is not with the placement, but with the introduction of EPS (without linking to the original) into the document of the vector editor. Some objects may be interpreted in error, or some undesirable attribute will be assigned to them. For example, Illustrator version 8 allows you to assign an output resolution to any vector object, that is, the resolution in which this object will be processed when printing. So, for some unknown reason, Illustrator assigns 300 dpi to embedded EPS objects, even correctly created ones, although the default for a document is 800 dpi. When outputting to film, this can manifest itself in a gross distortion of smooth lines - they are converted into short straight segments that are quite noticeable upon close examination - the so-called “nut effect”. This "misunderstanding" turned into a problem in the 9th and 10th versions of Illustrator, where only the permission attribute for the entire document is saved and changing it at the level of an individual object is not available. By the way, for vector files of Korelovian origin, placed and even copied in the 8th Illustrator, the output resolution of objects is always 300 dpi and needs to be corrected.

Other ways to get an EPS file

You can convert a page of a layout program to an EPS file. In Quark, the Save page as EPS command is used for this. In PageMaker, the same result can be achieved using the Print command, where in the print settings you must specify Print to file> EPS. The resulting EPS can, in principle, be opened and modified in a vector editor, although this may cause some difficulties with the accuracy of the interpretation of some objects, with the conversion of the font encoding and other, more specific problems. Less problems arise if the resulting EPS is used for layout in the same layout program from which it was obtained. What for? Agree that, for example, when assembling individual pages of a multi-page work on a printed sheet, it is easier to operate with EPS files than complex groups of objects of different formats and origins. Even more correct layout methods are described in the article on layout programs.

Other vector formats

First of all, these are native (native) formats of well-known vector editors - Illustrator, FreeHand, CorelDraw !. As a rule, they are poorly compatible with each other, since they support very different, specific for each of them, ways of describing objects, effects, and editing capabilities. Nevertheless, sometimes in one editor it is possible to open a file created by another (for this, manufacturers provide appropriate import filters), but this is fraught with the loss of some features inherent in the original program and will certainly require revision to return lost or distorted drawing details. If you are going to give someone the opportunity to open your drawing in another vector program, save a copy of it in an earlier version of the editor than the one you are using. This will increase the likelihood of it being correctly interpreted by the import filter.

You should not experiment with placing vector drawings in your editor's native format - even if such compatibility (in the form of an import filter) is provided, it does not guarantee error-free processing of this file when printing and is acceptable only at the stage of preliminary layout sketches.

Raster to vector. Coexistence problems

Vector programs allow raster images to be included in their documents (which do not become vectors from this! - a comment especially for “dummies”), but this feature should be used with caution. The first problem you will notice is a significant increase in the size of the vector document file and, therefore, the print file; screen redrawing usually slows down too. A second, less obvious problem has to do with how the inline bitmap is handled — mainly with respect to color. If the vector editor uses color settings (read profiles) that differ from the settings used to create the raster file, the result of color conversions may be unpredictable. This does not apply to a linked (placed with a link) raster EPS - its parameters are inviolable. Therefore, if placing a bitmap object in a vector art cannot be avoided, place a linked EPS. But know that the most correct way to combine both formats - the only one hundred percent correct and not causing any complaints from prepress professionals - is to do it in the layout program.