Expert: Amy - 10/28/2004

Question
--amy:  
thanks for responding!  however the issue isn't during printing, it appears that way when it is imported into pagemaker and displayed on the screen (and also when printed).  i think the issue is that the pixel density is lost during the importation.  i have gone to document setup in both pagemaker and illustrator and set it above our printings capability.  that has worked in the past when we imported jpgs or tiffs, but it isn't helping with the illustration.
again--many thanks for help you can offer.

mike harris-----------------------
Followup To
Question -
This is a PC question, dealing with illustrator 8.0 and pagemaker 6.5:

we have created a graph in illustrator and saved it as an eps file and as an ai file.  when we attempt to import it into a pagemaker document, using "edit, insert object" it comes in as an ole image, but the typography and graphics are of a  poor (sketchy)quality.  if we bring it in using "file-place", all we get is a block out which lists the name of the file in illustrator.  

what can we do to get the imported file to match the quality of the pagemaker document?

thanks!

Answer -
Hi Mike,

Pagemaker supports EPS graphics, but they will only print on a PS printer (not on an inkjet, in other words).  For inkjets, an 8-bit preview will be used instead.

Are you printing to a PS printer?

I haven't worked with Pagemaker in a LONG time but I believe that the placeholder was standard.  I seem to remember creating low-res placeholders and swapping with EPS graphics when ready to send to press.

I'd use the File>Place and if you don't have a PS printer, try creating a high resolution TIFF instead.

Also, I'd select all my text in Illustrator and create outlines so that you don't have to rely on fonts.

I apologize for this brief answer but I had to go away for family business and am not able to access my own computer.  

Thanks a lot for your patience,
Amy Pace

Answer
The right way to do it is to FILE>PLACE the graphic.

But it sounds like you want to use EPS graphics but want the nice DISPLAY of a raster graphic, which PageMaker can't do for you. Any placed EPS is going to display using its 8-bit (72 dpi) graphic and if you don't have a postscript printer, it's going to print that way, too. Read this for more info on that topic:

http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/324276.html

BUT Pagemaker cannot even display previews for any EPS graphic created in any version of Illustrator greater than 8. It displays that placeholder box instead.  Sounds like that's the problem...but you ARE using 8 so maybe it's the type of preview you're choosing during the save process. Try to save as an EPS with a 8 bit IBM/PC preview - there's a chart on that link I gave you that shows how each preview option will display on each platform... I guess I'm assuming that there's no cross-platforming going on and that you're on a PC. I think that the 8-bit IBM/PC preview is the one that might get rid of that box for you...

That box is not a huge problem if you've got a post-script printer because that box won't print.  The EPS graphic will be substituted. Sounds like you don't have a PS printer if you get the box on the printout. If this is the case, you'll need to choose another format to save your graph in - EPS won't ever work.  I recommend a high-res TIFF.

I wish I had my computer with me but I'm one of those lucky people who only has a big old desktop workstation.

Good luck
Amy