PPT97: EPS Graphic with Clipping Path Not Supported (189556)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q189556

SYMPTOMS

When you import an Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) file into Microsoft PowerPoint 4.0 for the Macintosh, the graphic appears transparent. If you save the file and then open it in PowerPoint for Windows, the graphic no longer appears transparent.

CAUSE

You may experience this problem when the EPS image is saved with a clipping path from a photo editing program, such as Adobe Photoshop. PowerPoint does not directly support clipping paths. When you import an EPS image that contains a clipping path into PowerPoint for the Macintosh, you see a PICT preview of the graphic. The way this PICT preview is displayed is dependent on the Macintosh operating system.

When you open the presentation in PowerPoint for Windows, PowerPoint translates the PICT graphics primitives (commands) into the closest equivalent Windows graphics device interface (GDI) primitives. Clipping paths are converted, but they become invisible and no longer mask the image.

For additional information about clipping paths, please see the "More Information" section later in this article.

WORKAROUND

NOTE: The following steps use a program called Microsoft Photo Editor. This program is an optional component of PowerPoint 97 and Microsoft Office 97. If Microsoft Photo Editor is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

To discard the clipping path using PowerPoint 97 and make parts of the image transparent using Microsoft Photo Editor by following these steps. After you complete these steps, the EPS information is discarded, but the graphic is displayed and printed correctly, and the graphic appears on the screen more quickly.
  1. Open your presentation in PowerPoint, and then follow these steps:
    1. Select the graphic.
    2. On the Drawing toolbar, point to Draw, and then click Ungroup.
    3. If you are prompted to convert the object to a Microsoft Office drawing, click Yes.
    4. Click anywhere on the slide, except on the graphic, to cancel the selection.
    5. Reselect the graphic and move it slightly to the right.
    6. Click the original position of the graphic.

      This selects the invisible layer.
    7. On the Edit menu, click Cut.

      If the graphic disappears, you did not select the invisible layer. On the Edit menu, click Undo Cut, and repeat steps d through g.
    8. Select the graphic.
    9. On the Edit menu, click Copy.
  2. Start or switch to Photo Editor. Perform the following steps:
    1. On the Edit menu, click "Paste as New Image."
    2. Click the Set Transparent Color button on the Standard toolbar.

      The mouse pointer changes to a pen when you rest it over the graphic.
    3. Click the color you want to make transparent.
    4. In the "Change Color to Transparent dialog" box, click OK.
    5. On the Edit menu, click Copy.
  3. Switch to PowerPoint, and perform the following:
    1. On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.
    2. In the Paste Special dialog box, click Picture, and then click OK.
If the transparent version of the graphic looks as you expect, delete the original copy of the graphic.

MORE INFORMATION

Some Macintosh-based photo editing programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, can save a clipping path when you export images as EPS files. A clipping path is a vector description of the edges of a specified element within an image, and it can be used to mask or make part of your image transparent.

Photoshop is manufactured by Adobe Systems, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/9/2000
Keywords:kb3rdparty kbgraphic kbinterop kbprb KB189556
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