What is an .eps file?
.eps (Encapsulated Postscript file) is an ?embedded? file format of documents that have Vector Graphics images like points, curves, lines or any shapes like circles or polygons in it. It is one of the old-fashioned file formats for documents created using Adobe Illustrator and is widely used in Desktop publishing.
What is an Adobe Post Script?
Adobe Post Script is a Page Description Language (PDL). It is a popular legacy Programming Language used for creating graphical images in a document. EPS (encapsulated Postscript file) is simply a PostScript program, which is created and saved as a single file that contains a low-resolution preview embedded in it. As the name indicates, the main idea of an EPS file is to be ?contained? or ?encapsulated? into another Postscript document.
What are the variations of .eps files?
There are two types of .eps files-
1. Vector graphics based
2. Photo or ?picture? based
The differences are in the way the above two files are ported, opened, and edited using the Image editing software like Photoshop and CorelDRAW.
Vector Graphics based .eps files:
This type of .eps file contains vector graphic images and vector graphics editors like Adobe Illustrator, can open and edit these files. These files can be ?imported? or ?included? but cannot be opened in the desktop publishing software like PageMaker and in word processors like Microsoft Word. As these files contain graphics that are vector based, they can be scaled to any size without affecting the clarity or resolution of the output.
Photo or ?picture? based .eps files:
This type of .eps file has a set resolution, which is much similar to a flattened picture file. Image editing programs like Photoshop can open and edit these files and Page Maker or Word Software can import these types of files. As these files have a ?set? resolution, the quality of the output will be degraded if scaled beyond the defined limit.
Which applications can open, edit and save .eps files?
Vector Graphics editors and Image Editing applications can open, edit and save .eps files. These include:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Artworks
- CorelDRAW
- Microsoft PhotoDraw
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe PhotoShop
You can also use FileCure, which is a simple and efficient tool to open, edit and save .eps files. If you do not have any of the commercial applications listed above installed in your PC, then you can download the FileCure tool in order to work with .eps files.