Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked QuestionsQ:
I need to move my graphics work from NEXTSTEP to a Macintosh with FreeHand and FrameMaker. I draw in Diagram and save them as EPS files. Is there a way to convert them to the EPSI file so that my MAC can preview it in the documents? I know the Macintosh prefers the EPS with a bitmap preview (EPSI) so that it can display the graphics.
A:
The regular EPS files without a bitmap preview should work fine, but, of course, you get an empty frame for your image, which is not too useful if you are trying to position something accurately on top. Some Macintosh programs (like Canvas) will ignore legitimate EPS files unless the appropriate file type is set. Freehandv.3.1 did this also.
Here are the steps to get it into a Macintosh EPS file with bitmap preview:
1. You will need to purchase the ImageViewer.app for the NEXTSTEP and use the command-line image program found in the .app directory:
image file.eps -o file.pbm
To produce a black and white portable bitmap file.
2. Using the utilities in the PBM toolkit, convert to PICT:
ppmtopict < file.pbm > file.pict
You now have a PICT file suitable for a bitmap preview on the Macintosh. To put the PICT and EPS file together, you must use a Mac (or, at least that is the easiest way).
3. Transfer the two files (EPS and PICT) to the Macintosh - remember to do a binary transfer!
4. Import the PICT file into either Microsoft Word, or use the shareware program GIFConverter to view the image. Any PICT viewing program that can copy to the clipboard will do. Select the image, and copy to the clipboard.
5. Start ResEdit (another Macintosh application), and open the EPS file.
6. Choose Get Info from the File menu, and change the file type from TEXT (or whatever it is) to EPSF.
7. Choose New from the Resource menu and select PICT for the type.
8. Paste in the PICT file from the clipboard.
9. Chose Get Info from the Resource menu (not the File menu), and set the ID to 256.
One optional detail, before closing:
9.5 If you want, choose Get Info from the File menu, and change the creator to FHA3. This is the Aldus Freehand creator type, so if you have Freehand installed, the icon will change to a Freehand document with a little EPS indicator. This may, or may not, be a safe thing to do, but it does make the Macintosh acceptable EPS files more distinctive.
10. Close all the windows and save.
You now have a Macintosh EPS file - basically a regular EPS file with appropriate type information, and a PICT file in the resource fork.
There is no guarantees this will work, as it's basically a trial and error process.
